Registered Respiratory Therapist

This position is located in the Medicine Service of the C. W. Young Medical Center at Bay Pines VA Healthcare System. Duties are carried out throughout the medical center including all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the service. The Bay Pines VA Medical Center is a general and medical surgical facility classified as a Level 1A Complexity. 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 : RT's/RRTs appointed to the 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 : Must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a valid, current, unrestricted credential Exception 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. RTs must provide care only under the close supervision of an RRT. 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 obtain their RRT credential; the date by which the RRT credential must be acquired; and the consequences for not becoming RRT credentialed by the deadline. The HR Office staff must provide the written notice to selectees prior to entrance on duty date and maintain a copy in the electronic Official Personnel Folder. 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. 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; Hold an active license and RRT Credential. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 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. 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. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Preferred Experience: Advanced Airway Management and Critical Care skills. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work includes: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds, moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds, pushing up to 4 hours, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, good dexterity (both hands required), prolonged walking, prolonged standing, repeated bending, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing (aid permitted), speed in working, and emotional stability. Must have ability to stand for possibly long periods of time. Possible exposure to body fluids involved. This position has been evaluated as a Level 1 in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) definition of occupational exposure to blood borne pathogens. #J-18808-Ljbffr US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair