Registered Respiratory Therapist

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Central Virginia VA Health Care System, seeks a Registered Respiratory Therapist (GS-11) to provide comprehensive respiratory care for adults and elderly patients.

You will plan, implement, and evaluate therapies, operate ventilators, pulmonary function, ABG equipment, and monitors while collaborating with physicians and the care team. Qualifications include a CoARC-accredited program, active RRT licensure, and credential.

Qualifications

• Must have completed a CoARC-accredited respiratory care program.
• Must possess and maintain active state licensure as an RRT.
• Must hold and maintain RRT credential for duration of employment.

Responsibilities

• Provide basic and advanced respiratory services to adult and geriatric patients.
• Plan, implement, and evaluate respiratory care procedures.
• Operate ventilators, PFT and ABG equipment and oxygen monitors/analyzers.
• Coordinate with physicians and health-care team for care plans.

Skills

Clinical collaboration

Advanced respiratory care

Ventilation management

EHR documentation

Equipment operation

Education

CoARC-accredited respiratory care program

State licensure as RRT

RRT credential

Tools

Pulmonary function testing equipment

Arterial blood gas analysis equipment

Job description

The Registered Respiratory Therapist is responsible for providing basic and advanced Respiratory services to adult and geriatric patients at the Central Virginia VA Health Care System. The Therapist plans, implements and evaluates the effectiveness of respiratory care procedures and must be able to operate a variety of equipment including mechanical ventilators, positive pressure devices, pulmonary function, arterial blood gas equipment and oxygen monitors/analyzers. 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.

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.

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.

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).

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:

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. AND
• 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:

• Experience conducting comprehensive pulmonary function testing, including spirometry, gas diffusion, studies, and body plethysmography, in accordance with established clinical standards.
• Proven ability to calibrate, operate, and maintain pulmonary function testing equipment to ensure accuracy, reliability, and regulatory compliance.
• Skill in preparing, instructing, and guiding patients through respiratory testing procedures while ensuring patient safety, comfort, and understanding.
• Experience accurately recording, analyzing, and interpreting pulmonary function test results and documenting findings in electronic health record systems.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with respiratory therapists, physicians, and other healthcare professionals to communicate test results and support patient care decisions.
• Knowledge of respiratory diseases, diagnostic methods, and treatment modalities relevant to pulmonary function assessment.
• Possession of the Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) credential or equivalent recognized competency.
• Experience working in a medical or clinical laboratory environment with adherence to quality assurance and safety protocols.
• Familiarity with current pulmonary testing techniques, technology advancements, and best practices in respiratory diagnostics.

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:

• Moderate physical effort (lift/carry up to 50-100 lbs.)
• Prolonged extensive, or considerable standing/ walking-Lifts, positions, pushes, and/or transfer patients
• Assist with lifting and moving patients
• Lifts supplies/equipment
• Pushes/pulls or moves/lifts heavy equipment/supplies
• Manual dexterity and mobility
• Intermittent exertion when performing treatments
• Considerable reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, and crouching