Registered Respiratory Therapist

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Ann Arbor (MI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Registered Respiratory Therapist to deliver safe, effective respiratory care across all patient acuity levels, including overnight periods. The incumbent performs assessments, interventions, monitoring and emergency responses to optimize patient outcomes.

Eligible candidates must possess an accredited respiratory care program, an active RRT license and credential, and meet ongoing credential maintenance requirements.

Qualifications

• One year of creditable experience at GS-09 level or equivalent.
• Complete and maintain active license as an RRT.
• Maintain RRT credential throughout employment.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert assessment, therapeutic intervention, monitoring and emergency response for patients with respiratory compromise.
• Maintain continuous respiratory care services across the facility, including overnight shifts.

Skills

Clinical collaboration

Therapeutic assessment

Emergency response

Education

CoARC-accredited respiratory care program

Job description

The purpose of the Registered Respiratory Therapist position is to ensure safe, effective, and timely respiratory care across all levels of patient acuity. The RRT provides expert assessment, therapeutic intervention, monitoring, and emergency response for individuals with respiratory compromise. This role maintains continuous respiratory care services throughout the facility, including during high-risk periods such as overnight shifts.

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

• 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.

Failure to Obtain Credential. In all cases, RTs must actively pursue meeting national prerequisites for the RRT credential from the first day of their appointment. Failure to become credentialed within one year from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0601 RT series and may result in termination of employment. The Human Resources (HR) Office staff will provide RTs, in writing, the requirement to 1) obtain their RRT credential; 2) the date by which the RRT credential must be acquired; and 3) the consequences for not becoming RRT credentialed by the deadline. The HR Office staff must provide the written notice to selectees prior to entrance on duty date and maintain a copy in the electronic Official Personnel Folder.

• 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.
• 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).

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations

In addition to the basic requirements, 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.

• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level.
• Hold an active license and RRT credential.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities.

• 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:

Minimum 3-5 years of experience

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.

Physical Requirements:

May require moderate carrying (15-44 lbs.); straight pulling; pushing; reaching above the shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking; standing; repeated bending; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; ability to distinguish shades of color; emotional and mental stability; hearing (aid permitted). The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing or walking for prolonged periods of time; frequent bending, reaching, stooping, and stretching to set up and take apart respiratory equipment and apparatus; and pushing or pulling heavy objects such as oxygen tanks and/or ventilator eq