The Registered Respiratory Therapistprovides VA Northern California Health Care System (VANCHCS) Geriatric and Extended Care (GEC) with Respiratory Therapy functions specific to Home Based Primary Care (HBPC), which includes the Home Oxygen Program, bedside spirometry, and BiPAP/CPAP and home ventilators and other respiratory related Durable Medical Equipment (DME) in the patients' homes.Qualifications:BASIC REQUIREMENTS
To qualify for appointment as an RRT, all applicants must possess the following:
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. Not at this level
Physical Requirements: TB/Immunization Assessment and Pre-employment physical
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).
Grandfathering Provision. The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all hybrid title 38 qualification standards. Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education, credential or certification requirements that apply to this occupation.
All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education, credential or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:
- Employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure, certification or registration, may be reassigned, promoted or demoted within the occupation.
- Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure, certification or registration, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance level or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the full performance level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
- Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure, certification or registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure, certification or registration requirement before they can be promoted to those highergrade levels.
- Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
- Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure, certification or registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in theoccupation.
- If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation or employment with the VA, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation and/or VA.
Registered Respiratory Therapist (Pulmonary) GS-11
Grade Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements for employment stated above, all individuals referred and assigned to this occupation must meet all the qualification requirements and KSAs defined in the specific assignment as follows:
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. GS-09 Clinical competencies; RRTs obtain, interpret and analyze physiological specimens and data; Consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality of patient care within area of specialty; Manage and maintain the airway and ventilation of the patient through the use of appropriate mechanical means; Assess and evaluate patients to determine and recommend intervention to develop and implement a plan of care, such as, implementing protocols, intubation, monitoring critical systems and uses advanced modes of ventilation; Provide outpatient services such as home ventilators, PAP therapy, oxygen therapy and COPD care.
- Hold an active license and RRT credential.
- 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.
References: VA Handbook 5005/141 PART II APPENDIX G11, Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-0601, 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 GS-11.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