BASIC REQUIREMENTS. To qualify for appointment as an Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT), all applicants must possess the following:
- United States Citizenship. Citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, of this part. See 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a) for more information.
- 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.
- 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).
Loss of Licensure, Certification or Credentials. An employee in this occupation, who fails to maintain the required certifications, RRT credential or license must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in the termination of employment. Once credentialed, licensed or certified, RTs/RRTs must maintain a full, valid and unrestricted license, credential and certification to practice respiratory care.
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 5 they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) Employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure, certification or registration, may be reassigned, promoted or demoted within the occupation. (2) 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. (3) 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 higher- grade levels. (4) 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. (5) 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 the occupation. (6) 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.
Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment in paragraph 3 above, all individuals referred and assigned to this occupation must meet all the qualification requirements and KSAs defined in the specific assignment as follows:
Lead Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-12
Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must: Have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. RRTs at this grade level in this assignment have experience demonstrating advanced practice skills and clinical judgment across many areas of respiratory care both inpatient and outpatient. 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 assign personnel and tasks to be accomplished in a manner that assures completion of the workload.
- Ability to oversee and direct clinical guidance in a manner that assures completion of the workload.
- Ability to communicate with individuals of varying backgrounds to solve problems and provide conflict resolution.
- Ability to recommend uncommon or atypical interventions.
- Ability to recommend ways to improve patient care and operations through independent research and evaluation of new equipment and therapies
Reference: VA Handbook 5005, Part II Appendix G11 Registered Respiratory Therapist Qualification Standard
Physical Requirements:
A. This position requires sitting, constant walking, standing, stretching, bending, and carrying light to mediumweight items. Positions may be maintained for short periods of time.
B. Exposure to meeting with employees and external contacts who may be angry and/or upset. May observe patient suffering.
C. Ability to read printed material, such as reports and Standard Operating Procedures.
D. Ability to view information on computer screens and in CPRS orders.
E. Ability to accurately perceive depth so as to move around work space safely.
F. Ability to adapt to successfully perform in high stress environments with constant interruptions, emergent/critical/unusual situations, high volume urgency of issues, and interactions with a wide variety of professionals and personalities.
G. Ability to work alone and perform a variety of duties, changing one task to another without loss of efficiency or composure, and consistently meet department work schedule demands, including documentation and participation in workgroup, committees, etc.
H. Ability to read printed material, gauges, computer monitor, and distinguish colors, such as color monitors or reading doctor's orders and visualizing the hue of patient's skin, wounds, etc.