Registered Respiratory Therapist

Registered Respiratory Therapists, (RRTs), at the full performance level are responsible for independently administering treatment to ambulatory, non-ambulatory and critically ill patients in the inpatient care setting. They use data and patient assessment to establish appropriate plans of care and determine if outcomes are being met. They consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality of patient care within their scope of practice.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. Please select the response below, that represents how you meet the education requirement.
• 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. Respiratory Therapists, who are certified and working towards obtaining their "registration" credential, 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.
  • (a) 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 Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (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.
  • (b) 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.
  • (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.
  • (e) 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.

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:
GS-11 Registered Respiratory Therapist:
Experience or Education, Licensure and Credential: Candidates must have:

1. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level.
2. Hold an active license and RRT credential

In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSA's:

1. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for complex respiratory care to develop care plans to provide favorable patient outcomes.
2. Skill in evaluating the efficacies of therapeutic modalities.
3. Skill in performing advanced airway and ventilation management.

References: VA Handbook 5005/141, Part II, Appendix G11 dated March 12, 2021.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: Work is primarily performed in patient care areas, inpatient and outpatient. Heavy lifting (45 pounds and over), heavy carrying (45 pounds and over), straight pulling (4 hours), pushing (4 hours), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking (4-8 hours), standing (4-8 hours), kneeling (4 hours), repeated bending (4 hours), ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, 20/40 vision in each eye with or without correction, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (aid permitted).Environmental Factors: Fumes, smoke or gases, radiant energy, electrical energy, slippery or uneven walking surfaces, working around machinery with moving parts, vibration, working closely with others, working alone.Education: IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.Employment Type: FULL_TIME