Registered Respiratory Therapist

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Registered Respiratory Therapist in Minneapolis for an ongoing recruitment effort. This temporary position involves managing patient care in respiratory therapy, requiring relevant licensure and skills. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in therapeutic modalities and collaborate effectively with healthcare teams to ensure optimal patient outcomes. Opportunities may transition from temporary to permanent based on funding and agency needs.

Qualifications

• Successful completion of an accredited respiratory care program.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English as required by VA policy.
• Current, unrestricted state license to practice as an RRT.

Responsibilities

• Manage and maintain patients' airway and ventilation using mechanical means.
• Consult with healthcare professionals to ensure quality care.
• Implement complex respiratory care procedures and protocols.

Skills

Therapeutic modalities

Collaborative consultation

Oxygenation assessment

Ventilation management

Basic diagnostic procedures

Education

Respiratory care program accredited by CoARC

Job description

RRTs 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 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.
Duties

This announcement is open continuous. Certificates will be issued to the hiring manager on a weekly basis until all positions have been filled. Announcement will remain open until all vacancies are filled and may close sooner than 5/27/2025.

This position is a Temporary position, not to exceed 1/6/2026, which can be terminated or made permanent at any time based on funding or the needs of the agency.

Major duties include, but are not limited to the following:

Requirements

Qualifications
All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package. We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications. Failure to clearly demonstrate your experience in your application package may result in disqualification. All applicants are encouraged to submit responses to each Knowledge, Skill, and Ability (KSA) on a separate document.

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.
• 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).
• 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.
  • 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.
    • (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.

Grade Requirements:

Respiratory Therapist, GS-05:

Experience: None beyond the basic requirements.

Education and Licensure: This level assignment is designated as temporary under paragraph 4d(1) above for individuals who have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor, acquired the CRT credential, licensed by their state and are working towards obtaining RRT credential.

Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-07:

Experience, Education, Licensure and Registration: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess their RRT credential.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs:

Ability to perform therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care.

Skill in analyzing physiological specimens obtained to include arterial blood gases, pulse oximetry, End tidal Co2 (ETCo2) monitoring, basic spirometry and other basic diagnostic procedures.

Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for respiratory care to help provide favorable patient outcomes.

Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation.

Ability to perform basic airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation.

Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-09:

Experience or Education, Licensure and Credential: Candidates must have:

• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level; OR
• A Master of Science degree in respiratory care AND a license AND an RRT credential.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs:

Skill in performing therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care.

Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to help provide favorable patient outcomes.

Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation.

Ability to perform airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation.

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.

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

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.