DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

**VA WESTERN NEW YORK HEALTHCARE SYSTEM**

**BUFFALO, NEW YORK 14215**

**VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NO. STATION \# 528-08-103**

## OPENING DATE: January 6, 2008 CLOSING DATE: January 3, 2009

**POSITION:** Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-601-7/8

**SALARY RANGE:** Buffalo: \$37,534-\$54,038; Batavia: \$36,822-\$53,012

**DUTY LOCATION:** Respiratory Therapy Section, Medical VA Care Line, VA
Western New York Healthcare System, Buffalo/Batavia, New York

**TOUR OF DUTY:** Full-time, Part-Time or Intermittent

**WHO MAY APPLY:** Open to any qualified applicant

**NUMBER OF VACANCIES:** Applications accepted on an on-going basis for
consideration as vacancies occur.

**DUTIES:** Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT) perform work
concerned with administering respiratory care and life support to
patients with cardiopulmonary deficiencies and abnormalities. RRTs
function as members of the critical care team in treating and assessing
the needs of individuals who are seriously ill and providing round the
clock care to individuals who would otherwise not be able to survive
life-threatening conditions. RRTs are well versed in all aspects of
respiratory care to include intubation, mechanical ventilation, oxygen
and aerosol therapy, pulse oximetry, and bedside pulmonary functions.

**QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:**

[Citizenship]{.underline}: Citizen of the United States

[Registered Respiratory Therapist]{.underline} -- Has a certificate as
an RRT from the NBRC (National Board for Respiratory Care) and a
registry number, or a certificate from another body that the NBRC
recognizes as its credentialing equivalent.

[Grade Requirements]{.underline}:

GS-7: None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-8: At least 1 year of successful experience related to respiratory
therapy at the GS-7 level or equivalent which demonstrated knowledge and
ability needed to perform complex respiratory therapy procedures with
minimal supervision, to provide emergency or critical respiratory care,
and to conduct training sessions with students, staff, patients and
family members.

**APPLICANTS PLEASE NOTE: Education must be accredited** by an
accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly
positions with a positive education requirement.) Therefore, applicants
must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by
accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website:
<http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html> All education
claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency
accordingly.

**English Language Proficiency:** Registered Respiratory Therapists
appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken
and written English.

**Drug Testing:** This is a testing designated position (TDP) under the
VA Drug-Free Workplace Program. If you are tentatively selected for the
position and are not now in a TDP position subject to random testing,
you may be subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to
final selection. Applicants who refuse to be tested will not be
selected. Appointment to the position will not be effected if there is a
verified positive drug test result.

**Physical Requirements:** Selected candidate is required to
successfully pass a medical examination.

**Background Investigation:** Appointment to this position is contingent
upon satisfactory completion of the required background investigation.

## REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION: This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the servicing Human Resources Office. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. 

**HOW TO APPLY:** Submit VA Form 10-2850c, "Application for Associated
Health Occupations", OF-306 Declaration for federal employment, along
with a copy of your Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) certificate:

Human Resources Management (05),

VA WNY Healthcare System,

3495 Bailey Avenue,

Buffalo, NY 14215

If claiming veteran's preference, please include a copy of your DD214,
"Discharge/Release from Active Duty", and service connected disabled
veteran paperwork, if applicable.

**NO POSTAGE PAID ENVELOPE:** In accordance with 18 USC 1719 and USC
3201 the use of postage paid government envelopes for filing job
applications is a violation of federal law and regulations. Applications
submitted using postage paid government envelopes will be rated
ineligible.

**FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:** Human Resources at (716) 862-8872 or call
toll free 1-800-532-8387, ext. 8872.

**INTERVIEWS:** Any interviews that may be conducted for this position
will utilize the Performance Based Interviewing (PBI) process. Further
information is available at [www.va.gov/pbi](http://www.va.gov/pbi) or
from your local Human Resources Office.

**EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:** Selection for this position will be
based solely on merit without regard to race, color, religion, age,
gender, national origin, political affiliation, disability, sexual
orientation, marital or family status or other differences.

**BARGAINING UNIT/Union Name:** 0659 -- SEIU United Service and
Maintenance Division

**PLEASE NOTE**: Employee(s) hired pursuant to this vacancy announcement
will be locked-in to the position for a period of one year and one day.
This does not pertain to promotion or career advancement opportunities.

##