Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• To qualify for appointment as an RRT, all applicants must possess the following: Citizenship
• Citizen of the United States (U.S.)
• Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3,section A, paragraph 3g, of this part
• See 38 U.S.C. 7407(a) for more information
• 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-0601series 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-0601series 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
• 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 38U.S.C. 7403(f)
• GRADE REQUIREMENTS
• All individuals assigned to this occupation must meet all the basic qualification requirements above in paragraph 4 a-g and all basic qualification requirements defined in the specific assignment
• All positions must be designated in one of the approved title or parenthetical title, as described below and duties must meet the definition of the assignment: Registered Respiratory Therapist
• Working titles, such as program coordinator, assistant chief, national program manager, etc., may be used at the organizational level to designate the work of the position
• GRADE DETERMINATIONS
• Grade Determinations
• In addition to the basic requirements for employment in paragraph 3 above, 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-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: i
• Ability to perform therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care
• ii
• 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
• iii
• Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for respiratory care to help provide favorable patient outcomes
• iv
• Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation
• v
• Ability to perform basic airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation
• Assignment
• This is a developmental position
• RRTs at this grade level will be responsible for the following assignments with minimal clinical supervision from an RRT at the full performance level in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings
• RRTs complete patient assessment through direct contact, chart review and other means as appropriate and share the information with health care team members
• They use accepted measuring/monitoring tools for determining plan of care
• They place nasal and oropharyngeal airway and perform nasal and tracheal suctioning
• RRTs obtain, analyze and report arterial and venous blood gas samples
• They perform duties in the critical area with close supervision to include in- line suctioning, re-positioning and securing Endo Tracheal tube, bag valve mask ventilation, assisting in patient transport and performing patient ventilator assessment
• RRTs provide outpatient services, such as positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy, oxygen therapy and COPD care
• Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-09
• Experience or Education, Licensure and Credential
• Candidates must have: i
• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level
• OR ii
• 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: 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
• Assignments
• This is a developmental position
• RRTs at this grade level are responsible for the following 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
• Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-11
• Experience, Licensure and Credential
• Candidates must have: i
• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level
• ii
• 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: i
• Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for complex respiratory care to develop care plans to provide favorable patient outcomes
• ii
• Skill in evaluating the efficacies of therapeutic modalities
• iii
• Skill in performing advanced airway and ventilation management
• Assignments
• This assignment is the full performance level
• RRTs at this grade level work independently providing respiratory care in both inpatient and/or outpatient settings
• The specific assignments are dependent on facility structure and complexity levels
• They 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 patient 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
• They monitor critical systems
• They use advanced modes of ventilation and outpatient services, such as home ventilators and COPD case management
• RRTs suggest alternate modes of treatment where indicated based on assessment and analysis of patient response to treatment
• RRTs at this grade level may perform invasive procedures such as arterial line placement.