Registered Respiratory Therapist

Summary

The incumbent demonstrates the knowledge and ability to successfully perform the following duties within the scope of Respiratory Care. A Respiratory Therapist may perform other duties - both major and minor - that are not mentioned below. Essential functions may change from time to time to reflect the current trends within the field of respiratory therapy - and to meet the cardio-pulmonary needs of the patients served.

• 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-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
• 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:
  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:
• 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
• 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…