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.
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.
Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, all individuals referred and assigned to this occupation must meet all the qualification requirements and KSAs defined in the specific assignment as follows:
Respiratory Therapist (GS-12 ) Experience.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs:
i. Knowledge of instructional techniques to educate respiratory therapists in proper performance of respiratory processes and procedures.
ii. Ability to educate individuals of varying backgrounds.
iii. Skill in training RRTs, other staff and/or patients/caregivers on existing and newly acquired equipment, therapies and medications.
iv. Ability to determine the continuing education needs of staff to identify appropriate resources to meet those needs.
v. Ability to develop clinical policy, procedures, protocols, competencies and simulations relative to respiratory care
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit
https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Physical Requirements: Individuals must be able to lift 30 pounds, assist patients with transfers or ambulation. The position requires several miles of walking per day within the health center and at times may require climbing several flights of stairs. There may also be occasional sedentary work where the therapist will be sitting for several continuous hours (that requires long periods of seated work.)