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:

• Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.)
• Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7407(a)
• License: All applicants must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a full, current and unrestricted license from a state to practice as an Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)
• Credentials: All applicants must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a valid, current, unrestricted credential of RRT
• Education: Completion of a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor
• English Language Proficiency: RRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) Registered Respiratory Therapist GS-11:Experience, Licensure and Credential
• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level
• Examples include but are not limited to: Skill in performing therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care Collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to help provide favorable patient outcomes
• Assessing oxygenation and ventilation
• Perform airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation
• Responsible for the following under general guidance in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings
• 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
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: 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
• Preferred Experience: 1 YEAR CRITICAL CARE EXPERIENCE, REGISTERED RESPIRATORY THERAPIST ONLY Assignments: This assignment is the full performance level
• RRTs at this grade level work independently providing respiratory care in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings
• The specific assignments are dependent on facility structure and complexity levels
• They use data and patient assessment to establish appropriate plan of care and determine if outcomes are being met
• They consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality of patient care within area of specialty
• They manage and maintain the airway and ventilation of the patient using appropriate mechanical means
• RRTs determine and implement complex respiratory care such as protocols, respiratory modalities, bronchoscopy, medications or supplemental oxygen and intubation
• They monitor critical systems
• They use advanced modes of ventilation and outpatient services, such as home ventilators and COPD case management
• RRTs suggest alternate modes of treatment where indicated based on assessment and analysis of patient response to treatment
• RRTs at this grade level may perform invasive procedures such as arterial line placement
• They serve as a preceptor to lower graded staff
• They may lead projects developing new policies, procedures or protocols
• References: 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
• Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds)
• Light lifting (under 15 pounds)
• Moderate carrying (15-44 pounds)
• Light carrying (under 15 pounds)
• Pushing (some hours)
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking (up to 4 hours)
• Standing (up to 3 hours)
• Kneeling (some hours)
• Repeated bending (some hours)
• Both legs required
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4
• Both eyes required
• Ability to distinguish basic colors
• Ability to distinguish shades of colors
• Hearing (aid permitted)
• No skin allergies.