Respiratory Therapist

Who May Apply: US Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes treating respiratory therapy patients; and setting up, operating, or maintaining respiratory therapy equipment.

This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-06).

OR Education: One full year of graduate level education in a field directly related to the work of the position, such as Respiratory Therapy. (Note: Transcripts most be uploaded for consideration) OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12.

Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 18. Add the two percentages.(Note: Transcripts most be uploaded for consideration)

Perform all routine respiratory therapy treatment to patients such as oxygen and aerosol therapy, incentive spirometry, chest physiotherapy, suction and sputum induction, and pulmonary function testing.,Monitor patients for adverse reaction, independently take correction action.,Assess the effectiveness of therapy being administered and make adjustments in mechanical ventilator settings to maintain patient's respiratory stability.,Clean and maintain department areas and equipment including packaging equipment for sterilization and disinfecting when appropriate.,Provide information to patients/family members concerning home care such as use of oxygen equipment and instruction of proper technique for administering handheld nebulizer treatments, MDI's and peak flow measurements.,Perform airway care on intensive care patients including suctioning and securing endotracheal tube and tracheostomies, cuff pressure monitoring, chest physical therapy, chest examinations, and placement of the endotracheal tube.