Qualifications

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
• 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)
• Grandfathering Provision: The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all hybrid title 38 qualification standards
• Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation
• Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education, credential or certification requirements that apply to this occupation
• All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education, credential or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure, certification or registration, may be reassigned, promoted or demoted within the occupation
• Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure, certification or registration, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance level or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the full performance level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions
• Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure, certification or registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure, certification or registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher- grade levels
• Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
• Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure, certification or registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
• If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation or employment with the VA, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation and/or VA
• 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: Lead Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-12 (a) Experience, Licensure and Credential
• Candidates must: i
• Have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level
• RRTs 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
• 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: 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 Preferred Experience: Experience in Respiratory Therapy Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is at full performance level Physical Requirements: Considerable walking/standing may be required
• Frequent lifting, positioning, pushing/pulling may be required when assisting with the transfer of patients or when moving equipment or supplies
• Frequent, prolonged extensive or considerable sitting is often required
• Manual dexterity and mobility is required
• Frequent reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, or crouching may be necessary
• Moderate physical effort (ability to lift/carry up to 50 pounds) may be occasionally required
• Intermittent exertion is possible
• Subject to interruptions and stress from multiple calls, patient needs and/or inquiries from others, whether in-person, on the telephone or via computer
• Sound judgement and ability to function under stress is required
• Inappropriate actions/judgment, especially those during emergency or crisis situations, may result in injury or death
• Exposure to meeting with employees and external contacts who may be angry and/or upset
• Ability to print materials, such as reports and Standard Operating Procedures Ability to view information on computer screens and in Electronic Patient Records
• Ability to accurately perceive depth to move around workspace safely
• Ability to work alone and perform a variety of duties changing one task to another without loss of efficiency or composure, and consistently meet department work schedule demands, including documentation and participation in workgroup and committees, etc.