Registered Respiratory Therapist

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; East Orange (NJ); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Part time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) New Jersey Health Care System in East Orange, NJ seeks an Intermittent Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) to perform diagnostic evaluations and contribute to teaching and treatment of patients with complex respiratory needs.

Candidates must hold an active RRT credential and state licensure, have a CoARC-accredited program, and perform duties under supervision as required by VA policy. Experience in critical care is preferred.

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen per basic requirements.
• Must have completed a CoARC-accredited respiratory care program.
• Must possess and maintain an active RRT license.
• Must possess and maintain an active RRT credential.
• Temporary appointments allowed for those pursuing RRT credential under VA rules.

Responsibilities

• Perform diagnostic evaluations and engage in teaching and treatment for respiratory care patients.
• Collaborate with physicians and healthcare professionals to develop care plans for complex cases.
• Provide care in inpatient settings and manage respiratory therapy equipment.

Skills

Clinical collaboration

Critical care assessment

Education

CoARC-accredited respiratory care program

RRT licensure

RRT credential

Job description

The Respiratory Care Unit of the Pulmonary Medicine Section of Medical Service at the VA New Jersey Health Care System is hiring for one Intermittent Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT). The RRT performs diagnostic evaluations and engages in the teaching and treatment of patients including the most unusual and difficult cases requiring the highest levels of expertise and professional skills.

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 Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) or its successor.
• Licensure. Persons appointed or reassigned to Registered Respiratory Therapist (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.
• 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. (a) VHA may waive the RRT credential requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified and pending completion of prerequisites for RRT credential. Individuals who have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor, acquired the CRT credential, are fully licensed by their state and are working toward completion of their RRT credential may be given a temporary appointment as an RT. The temporary appointment is made under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7401(a)(1)(B) for a period not to exceed one year from date of employment. Candidates must hold an active, current, full and unrestricted RRT credential and be licensed to hold a position at or above the GS-07 level. 5 (b) RTs may only be temporarily appointed at the GS-05 level and may not be promoted/converted to a higher-level position as an RRT until the RRT credential is received. (c) RTs must provide care only under the close supervision of an RRT. (d) Temporary RT appointments may not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment.
• 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.
• 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.
• Physical Standards. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.
• 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).

Grandfathering Provision

(1) Employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure, certification or registration, may be reassigned, promoted or demoted within the occupation.

(2) Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure, certification or registration, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance level or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the full performance level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.

(3) Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure, certification or registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure, certification or registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels.

(4) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.

(5) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure, certification or registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.

(6) If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation or employment with the VA, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation and/or VA.

Grade Determinations

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.

• 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

3 years of Adult Critical Care experience and 3 years of Pulmonary function testing experience highly preferred.

Reference

For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements

See VA Directive 5019.

Physical Demands

The work will fluctuate from sedentary to moderate physical requirements, 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; lifting and repositioning patients; and pushing or pulling heavy objects such as oxygen tanks and or ventilator equipment > 25lbs, lifting from the knees <10lbs. The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as above-average dexterity to perform intricate respiratory therapy procedures.

Work Environment

The work involves regular and recurring exposure to moderate risks and discomforts which require special safety and health precautions, e.g., working regularly with patients and in situations where there is a risk of exposure to contagious diseases, odors, and or flammable gases. It is performed in an office, clinic, and inpatient setting. The therapist is required to wear protective clothing such as gloves and a mask to prevent disease and the spread of infection according to any precautions posted. The work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.