Qualifications

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: Registered Respiratory Therapist's appointed to 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 of Registered Respiratory Therapist
• 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 for the Lead Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-12
• Candidates must possess: Have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level
• Registered Respiratory Therapist at this grade level in this assignment have experience demonstrating advanced practice skills and clinical judgment across many areas of respiratory care both inpatient and outpatient
• Knowledge, skills, and abilities at the GS-11 grade level include: 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
• Hold an active license and Registered Respiratory Therapist credential
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Ability to assign personnel and tasks to be accomplished in a manner that assures completion of the workload
• Ability to oversee and direct clinical guidance in a manner that assures completion of the workload
• Ability to communicate with individuals of varying backgrounds to solve problems and provide conflict resolution
• Ability to recommend uncommon or atypical interventions
• Ability to recommend ways to improve patient care and operations through independent research and evaluation of new equipment and therapies
• 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-12 Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.