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:
The following are the basic requirements for appointment as an Registered Respiratory Therapist in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).
1. Education.
Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) or its successor.
2. 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
3. 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.
(1) 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.
4. Physical Standards.
Work is primarily performed in environmentally controlled inpatient and outpatient care areas. Walking and standing for extended periods required. Must be able to physically access all areas of service. Pushing and pulling equipment up to seventy pounds, moving and lifting supplies, lifting, bending, stooping, and exposure to body fluid is involved.
5. English Language Proficiency.
All applicants must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).
GRADE REQUIREMENTS.
All individuals assigned to this occupation must meet all the basic qualification requirements above and all basic qualification requirements defined in the specific assignment. All positions must be designated in one of the approved title or parenthetical title, as described below and duties must meet the definition of the assignment:
GRADE DETERMINATIONS.
In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.
Respiratory Therapist, GS-05.
- Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.
(b)
Education and Licensure. Is designated as temporary under paragraph 4d(1) above for individuals who have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the
CoARC, acquired the CRT credential, licensed by their state and are working towards obtaining RRT credential.
(c)
Assignment. Perform basic therapeutic modalities in all area of respiratory care environment under close clinical supervision by an RRT at the full performance level or higher. Responsible for such assignments as medication delivery related to respiratory care, initiating and monitoring oxygen therapy, assisting with cardiopulmonary resuscitation suctioning of artificial airway, evaluating and performing aerosol humidification therapy and participating in care team rounds.
Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-07.
(a) Experience, Education, Licensure and Registration. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess their RRT credential.
(b( Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities.
In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs:
i. Ability to perform therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care.
ii. 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.
iii. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare
professionals for respiratory care to help provide favorable patient outcomes.
iv. Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation.
v. Ability to perform basic airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation.
(c)
Assignment. Responsible for assignment with minimal supervision from an RRT at the full performance level in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings. Complete patient assessment through direct contact, chart review and other means as appropriate and share the information with health care team members. Use accepted measuring/monitoring tools for determining plan of care. Place nasal and oropharyngeal airway and perform nasal and tracheal suctioning. Obtain, analyze and report arterial and venous blood gas samples. Perform duties in the critical area with close supervision to include in- line suctioning, re-positioning and securing Endo Tracheal tube, bag valve mask ventilation, assisting in patient transport and performing patient ventilator assessment. Provide outpatient services, such as positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy, oxygen therapy and COPD care.
Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-09.
a. Experience or Education, Licensure and Credential.
Candidates must have:
i. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level;
OR
ii. A Master of Science degree in respiratory care AND a license AND an RRT credential.
b. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities.
In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs:
i. Skill in performing therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care.
ii. Ability to consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to help provide favorable patient outcomes.
iii. Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation.
iv. Ability to perform airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation.
(c)
Assignments. Responsible under general guidance in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings. 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. Provide outpatient services such as home ventilators, PAP therapy, oxygen therapy and
COPD care.
Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-11.
(a) Experience, Licensure and Credential.
Candidates must have:
i. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level.
ii. Hold an active license and RRT credential.
(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities.
In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs:
i. Ability to consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for complex respiratory care to develop care plans to provide favorable patient outcomes.
ii. Skill in evaluating the efficacies of therapeutic modalities.
iii. Skill in performing advanced airway and ventilation management.
(c) Assignments.
Provide respiratory care in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings. Assignments are dependent on facility structure and complexity levels. Use data and patient assessment to establish appropriate plan of care. Consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality of patient care. Manage and maintain the airway and ventilation of the patient using appropriate mechanical means. Determine and implement complex respiratory care such as protocols, respiratory modalities, bronchoscopy, medications or supplemental oxygen and intubation. Use advanced modes of ventilation and outpatient services. Suggest alternate modes of treatment based on assessment and analysis of patient response to treatment. Perform invasive procedures such as arterial line placement.
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.