Registered Respiratory Therapist

Veterans Health Administration; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration in Columbus, OH seeks a Registered Respiratory Therapist to independently provide respiratory care in inpatient and outpatient settings. You will use patient data to plan care and consult with physicians to ensure quality outcomes.

Applicants must meet licensure and credential requirements, maintain English proficiency, and qualify for the GS-11 level with potential grandfathering options.

Qualifications

• One year of creditable experience at GS-09 level (or equivalent).
• Active license and RRT credential required.
• Ability to consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to develop care plans.

Responsibilities

• Provide respiratory care in inpatient/outpatient settings.
• Use data and assessments to establish plan of care and outcomes.
• Consult with physicians to ensure quality patient care.

Skills

Collaborative consultation

Modality evaluation

Airway and ventilation management

Education

CoARC-accredited respiratory care program

RRT credential

Active state license

Job description

The Registered Respiratory Therapist at the Chalmers P. Wylie VA ACC independently provide respiratory care in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings. The specific assignments are dependent on facility structure and complexity levels. They will use data and patient assessment to establish appropriate plan of care and determine if outcomes are being met. They will consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality of patient care within area of specialty.

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.

Candidates must have:

• 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.

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:

None

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 equipment.