Registered Respiratory Therapist

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-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 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) 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 5 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 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 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) Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-11 (a) 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 (b) 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 Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit ]]]]>