Registered Respiratory Therapist

Registered Respiratory Therapist

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): San Juan, Puerto Rico

Salary Range: $40322 - $96116 Per Year

Job Summary: The incumbent demonstrates the knowledge and ability to successfully perform the following duties within the scope of Respiratory Care. A Respiratory Therapist may perform other duties, both major and minor, that are not mentioned below. Essential functions may change from time to time to reflect the current trends within the field of respiratory therapy, and to meet the cardio-pulmonary needs of the patients served.

Major Duties:

• Duties may include but are not limited to: Perform basic spirometry, including adequate coaching, recognition of improperly performed maneuvers, corrective actions, and interpretation of test results. Identify and distinguish the indications, contraindications, and general hazards, complications in preparation, performance, and post care of bronchoscopic procedures. Describe the role of a respiratory therapist in diagnostic bronchoscopy procedures. Monitor and evaluate the patient's clinical condition with pulse oximetry, electrocardiogram, exhaled gas analysis, and other related diagnostic devices. Perform arterial and venous sampling for blood analysis. Understand the etiology, anatomy, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiopulmonary diseases (e.g., asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and comorbidities. Communicate and educate to empower and engage patients. Develop, administer, and re-evaluate patient care plans. Develop, administer, evaluate, and modify respiratory care plans in the acute-care setting, using evidence-based medicine, protocols, and clinical practice guidelines. Communicate and educate to empower and engage patients. Develop, administer, and re-evaluate patient care plans. Retrieve credible sources of evidence. Apply evidence-based medicine to clinical practice. Explain the use of evidence-based medicine in the development and application of hospital-based respiratory care protocols. Evaluate and treat patients in a variety of settings, using the appropriate respiratory care protocols. Complete the assessment through direct contact, chart review, and other means as appropriate and share the information with healthcare team members. Obtain medical, surgical, and family history. Obtain social, behavioral, and occupational history, and other historical information incident to the purpose of the current complaint. Review and interpret pulmonary function studies (spirometry) and pulse oximetry. Review and interpret arterial blood gases, electrolytes, complete blood cell count, and related laboratory tests. Inspect the chest and extremities to detect deformation, cyanosis, edema, clubbing, and other anomalies. Measure vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate). Evaluate patient breathing effort, ventilatory pattern, and use of accessory muscles. Measure and document oxygen saturation with oximetry under all appropriate conditions (with or without oxygen at rest and during sleep, ambulation, and exercise). Knowledge of advanced practice skills in all aspects of respiratory care Skill in communicating data, policies and regulations Work Schedule: Rotating shifts scheduled from 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., 2:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., and 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., including weekends and holidays per the needs of the service. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 61176F, 61175F, 61174F, 62301F 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: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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. Exception. RT positions will be designated only to individuals who are in the process of obtaining credentials to become an RRT. These individuals will only be hired on a temporary appointment as providedbelow. VHA may waive the RRT credential requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified and pending completion of prerequisites for RRT credential. Individuals who have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor, acquired the CRT credential, are fully licensed by their state and are working toward completion of their RRT credential may be given a temporary appointment as an RT. RTs may only be temporarily appointed at the GS-05 level and may not be promoted/converted to a higher-level position as an RRT until the RRT credential is received. RTs must provide care only under the close supervision of an RRT. Temporary RT appointments may not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment. English / Spanish Language Proficiency. RTs/RRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English and Spanish. 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment above, all individuals referred and assigned to this occupation must meet all the qualification requirements and KSAs defined in the specific assignment as follows: Respiratory Therapist, GS-05 Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. Education and Licensure. This level assignment is designated as temporary for individuals who have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor, acquired the CRT credential, licensed by their state and are working towards obtaining RRT credential. Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-07 Experience, Education, Licensure and Registration. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess their RRT credential. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Ability to perform therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care. Skill in analyzing physiological specimens obtained to include arterial blood gases, pulse oximetry, End tidal Co2 (ETCo2) monitoring, basic spirometry and other basic diagnostic procedures. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for respiratory care to help provide favorable patient outcomes. Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation. Ability to perform basic airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation. Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-09 Experience or Education, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level; OR A Master of Science degree in respiratory care AND a license AND an RRT credential. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Skill in performing therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to help provide favorable patient outcomes. Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation. Ability to perform airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation. 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 by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). 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. Preferred Experience: A year of experience preferrable in areas such as, but not limited to ER, ICU, Critical Care. Current ACLS and BLS certifications. NBRC certification needed for this position. RRT minimum, no CRTs. 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-05 to GS-11 Physical Requirements: Performing respiratory therapy will require long periods of standing and walking. Frequent bending, reaching, stooping, and lifting to implement procedures are also required. Must be able to meet the physical demands of transportation of respiratory equipment, assembling, and disassembling. The employee must have the ability to lift and reposition patients as indicated for treatment.

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/12809480. 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