Department: Department of Veterans Affairs
Location(s): Tampa, Florida
Salary Range: $40332 - $117308 Per Year
Job Summary: The incumbent, under the supervision of the Section Chief (s) / Supervisor(s) / Program Coordinator (s), Respiratory Care and Diagnostics Services Unit and coordination of the Supervisor or designee, displays proficiency and performs at the level of excellence in all Respiratory Care and Diagnostic Services Unit within their group.
Major Duties:
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. 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). Education: Successful completion of a respiratory care program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) or its successor is required. (If your school program was accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) or its successor at the time of graduation, but is no longer listed on the websites, or has changed names, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet. Failure to do so will result in an ineligible rating). NOTE: A transcript from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions must be submitted with your application. Licensure: A full, current and unrestricted license from an state to practice as a Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT) is required. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your license(s) with your application. Credential: A valid, current, unrestricted credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) as a Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT) is required. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your credential(s) with your application. Loss of Licensure, Certification or Credentials: An employee in this occupation, who fails to maintain the required certifications, RRT credential or license must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in the termination of employment. Once credentialed, licensed or certified, RTs/RRTs must maintain a full, valid and unrestricted license, credential and certification to practice respiratory care. 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 assignments as follows: Respiratory Therapist, GS-05. Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. Education and Licensure. This level assignment is designated as temporary under paragraph 4d(1) within the Registered Respiratory Therapist Qualification Standard 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 (KSAs). 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, -AND- 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; -AND- a license -AND- an RRT credential. -OR- A Master of Science degree in respiratory care -AND- a license -AND- an RRT credential. -AND- Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). 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. -AND- Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/OHRM/QualificationStandards/HT38/0601-RegisteredRespiratoryTherapist.pdf. 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. Statement of Preferred Experience and Requirements. Maintains a current CPR (BLS). Advanced Cardiac Life Support is recommended. Maintains current proficiency and competency standards for the outpatient service group. Have a sound practical understanding of the daily activities associated with working in an Outpatient Respiratory Care Section. Proficient in operating all Outpatient Patient Respiratory equipment. Thorough assessment skills to evaluate outpatient respiratory/sleep services for appropriate needs. Ability to speak with providers, patients, caregivers, and family professionally. Physical Requirements: Work is primarily in all patient care areas (in-patient and outpatient). All Respiratory Therapist will have extensive interaction with patients, staff, physicians, family members, and visitors. The Respiratory Therapist is expected to be able to move, push, repeatedly bending, walking, standing, and kneeling while performing duties with equipment, supplies, and patients. Ability to handle varying levels of stress in a positive manner. All Respiratory Therapists must be able to perform the following physical requirements: heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over, heavy carrying, 45 pounds and over, reaching above the shoulder, both hands, legs, and eyes are required, ability to distinguish basic colors.
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 11/21/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12825584. 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: 2025-11-21