Summary

RRTs in VHA perform or supervise work concerned with administering respiratory care and life support to patients with cardiopulmonary deficiencies - diseases and abnormalities.

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 provided below
• 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
• The temporary appointment is made under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7401(a)(1)(B) for a period not to exceed one year from date of employment
• Candidates must hold an active - current - full and unrestricted RRT credential and be licensed to hold a position at or above the GS-07 level 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
• (c) RTs must provide care only under the close supervision of an RRT
• (d) Temporary RT appointments may not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment
• (e) Failure to Obtain Credential
• In all cases - RTs must actively pursue meeting national prerequisites for the RRT credential from the first day of their appointment
• Failure to become credentialed within one year from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0601 RT series and may result in termination of employment
• 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)
• 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: Respiratory Therapist - GS-05
• Experience
• None beyond the basic requirements 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
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• 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
• 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
• 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 5 to GS 11
• Physical Requirements: In the role of respiratory therapist - the work requires some physical exertion such as prolonged periods of standing - bending - reaching - crouching - stooping - stretching - and moving moderately heavy equipment or assisting patients
• The work requires the employee to demonstrate agility and dexterity
• You may be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Duties

• Major Duties: Collect - review and evaluate relevant clinical data from the medical records - care team - patient and patient's family to ensure appropriate care when indicated
• Performing both basic and complex therapeutic procedures for adults and geriatric patients
• Example
• perform manual ventilation - insertion of tracheal tubes - using techniques that include interpretation of clinical data - describing and interpreting arterial blood gas values
• Apply clinical expertise in such a manner as to upgrade patient care where indicated and assist the provider in formulating an appropriate respiratory care plan based upon patient assessment - history - lung auscultation - chest x-ray - pulse oximetry - etc
• Communicate changes in the respiratory care plan and/or patient status to other health care team members as appropriate
• Make recommendations to providers regarding changes in treatment based upon patient observation and diagnostic test values
• Perform both fundamental and advanced diagnostic procedures
• Performing advanced airway and ventilation management - as well as evaluating the efficacies of therapeutic modalities
• Perform both emergency and acute Respiratory Care procedures in accordance with departmental guidelines and industry standards
• Will evaluate and refer patients for evaluation to pulmonary and sleep providers
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized