Department of Veterans Affairs

Registered Respiratory Therapist

Augusta, Georgia Full time

Registered Respiratory Therapist

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Augusta, Georgia

Salary Range: $73939 - $96116 Per Year

Job Summary: This position is located in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Southeast Network (VISN 7), VA Augusta Health Care System (VAAHCS) in Augusta, Georgia located in Hospital Medicine/Respiratory Care. Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) at this level is responsible for independently administering treatment to ambulatory, non-ambulatory and critically ill patients in the Inpatient and Outpatient setting.

Major Duties:

  • Duties include, however, not limited to: Performs Mechanical Ventilation Management, CPAP/BiPAP Ventilation, Administration of Aerosolized Medication, Bronchial Hygiene, Airway Management, Oxygen Therapy, Aerosol Therapy. Conducts diagnostic Testing such as bedside Spirometry, Pulse Oximetry. Assist Pulmonologist in Therapeutic Bronchoscopy procedures, Arterial Blood Gas sampling, and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. Performs Home Oxygen Evaluations, Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT), Bronchial Provocation Testing (Methacholine Challenge), Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing, Home CPAP/BiPAP/VPAP set-ups with Compliance Checks, Mask Fitting and Dispensing, Patient Education, and basic maintenance. Assesses patients by history, pulmonary physical assessment, and chart review before the start of therapy. Changes in these findings during therapy and results of therapy will be recorded. Is knowledgeable regarding the use of medications in respiratory therapy and will observe the patient for desired and adverse effects of those medications, as well as the effects of the type of therapy delivering the medications. Performs routine respiratory therapy treatment to hospital inpatients such as administering oxygen and therapeutic aerosols, incentive spirometry, and chest physical therapy. Sputum specimens will be obtained by induction as ordered. Assists in transport within the medical center to other areas of the medical center for those patients requiring respiratory support as indicated. Maintains clearance of airway, monitors vital signs, and performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation when necessary, during transport of patients. Attends continuing education programs inside and outside the medical center as appropriate to keep abreast of changes and developments in respiratory therapy and in other areas impacting respiratory therapy and to maintain CEU's for state license and NBRC credentialing. Provides equipment set up and cleaning, intraoperative assistance, and processing of all clinical specimens in the performance of fiber optic bronchoscopies. Assists physician in performing bronchoscopy procedures. Delivers respiratory care as needed in the more complex respiratory care procedures and to poor risk patients such as those in the older age group. Participates in the audit of respiratory care, recommending changes where indicated. Work Schedule: Day shift (7:00 am until 7:30 pm), Night shift (7:00 pm until 7:30 am), Weekends & Holidays; Days/shifts vary based on the needs of the organization. Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 59985F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

Qualifications: Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, of this part. See 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a) for more information. Education. Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor. Licensure. Persons appointed or reassigned to RRT positions in the GS-0601 series must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a full, current and unrestricted license from a state to practice as an RRT. Credential. Persons appointed or reassigned to RRT positions in the GS-0601 series must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a valid, current, unrestricted credential of RRT. Physical Standards. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. English Language Proficiency. RTs/RRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). g. Grandfathering Provision. The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all hybrid title 38 qualification standards. Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education, credential or certification requirements that apply to this occupation. All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education, credential or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-11. Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. Hold an active license and RRT credential. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for complex respiratory care to develop care plans to provide favorable patient outcomes. Skill in evaluating the efficacies of therapeutic modalities. Skill in performing advanced airway and ventilation management. Assignments. This assignment is the full performance level. RRTs at this grade level work independently providing respiratory care in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings. The specific assignments are dependent on facility structure and complexity levels. They use data and patient assessment to establish appropriate plan of care and determine if outcomes are being met. They consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality of patient care within area of specialty. They manage and maintain the airway and ventilation of the patient using appropriate mechanical means. RRTs determine and implement complex respiratory care such as protocols, respiratory modalities, bronchoscopy, medications or supplemental oxygen and intubation. They monitor critical systems. They use advanced modes of ventilation and outpatient services, such as home ventilators and COPD case management. RRTs suggest alternate modes of treatment where indicated based on assessment and analysis of patient response to treatment. RRTs at this grade level may perform invasive procedures such as arterial line placement. They serve as a preceptor to lower graded staff. They may lead projects developing new Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

How to Apply: All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 11/24/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12804752. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Application Deadline: 2025-11-24