Registered Respiratory Therapist

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Saint Cloud (MN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The US Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Registered Respiratory Therapist (GS-0601) at the GS-11 level in Minnesota. The incumbent provides clinical respiratory care in inpatient and outpatient settings, interprets data, and collaborates with physicians to ensure high-quality patient outcomes.

Candidates must hold an active RRT credential and state license. Temporary appointments may be used during credentialing; grandfathering provisions may apply per VA standards.

Qualifications

• Must have completed a CoARC-accredited respiratory care program.
• Must possess and maintain a full, current and unrestricted RRT license.
• RRT credential required; grandfathering provisions possible for certain eligible candidates.
• English language proficiency required for direct patient care.

Responsibilities

• Provide inpatient and outpatient respiratory care.
• Assess and interpret physiological data; consult with physicians to ensure quality patient care.
• Manage airway and ventilation using appropriate modalities.
• Deliver home ventilators, PAP therapy, oxygen therapy and COPD care.

Skills

Therapeutic modalities

Collaborative care

Airway management

Oxygenation monitoring

Education

CoARC-accredited respiratory care program

Job description

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.
  • 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
  • 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. (e)
  • 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.
• 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

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, which includes under general guidance in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings. RRTs obtain, interpret and analyze physiological specimens and data. They consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality of patient care within area of specialty. They manage and maintain the airway and ventilation of the patient through the use of appropriate mechanical means. RRTs assess and evaluate patients to determine and recommend intervention to develop and implement a plan of care, such as, implementing protocols, intubation, monitoring critical systems and uses advanced modes of ventilation. They provide outpatient services such as home ventilators, PAP therapy, oxygen therapy and COPD care.

AND

• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs:
• i. Skill in performing therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care.
• ii. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to help provide favorable patient outcomes.
• iii. Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation.
• iv. Ability to perform airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation.
• Hold an active license and RRT credential.

AND

• GS 11 KSAs: 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 full performance level of this vacancy is GS 11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is 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.