The Registered Respiratory Therapist will be located at the Beckley VA Medical Center in Beckley, West Virginia. The Respiratory Therapist is an integral part of the heath care team, rendering a wide variety of respiratory care modalities and associated diagnostic services. 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). 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: 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. (a) Experience, Education, Licensure and Registration. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess their RRT credential. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: v. Ability to perform basic airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation. iv. Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation. iii. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for respiratory care to help provide favorable patient outcomes. ii. 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. i. Ability to perform therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care. Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-09. (a) Experience or Education, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have: i. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level; OR ii. A Master of Science degree in respiratory care AND a license AND an RRT credential. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: i. Skill in performing therapeutic modalities related to respiratory care. ii. Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals to help provide favorable patient outcomes. iii. Skill in assessing oxygenation and ventilation. iv. Ability to perform airway management to include artificial airways and mechanical ventilation. 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. Preferred Experience: 2-3 years of registered respiratory therapist experience. References: VA Handbook 5005/141, Part II Appendix GS11 REGISTERED RESPIRATORY THERAPIST, GS-0601, dated March 12, 2021. The full performance level of this vacancy is 11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting (45 lbs. and over); Moderate Carrying (15-44 lbs.);Straight Pulling (up to 2 hours); Pushing (up to 2 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Walking (up to 8 hours); Standing (up to 8 hours); Repeated bending (up to 2 hours); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16";Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/50 and 20/100 in the other; Good distance Vision; Depth Perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid permitted). Work Environment: Work is performed primarily in a patient care setting; adequately lighted, temperature controlled, and ventilated. Office temperatures fluctuate periodically; involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as clinics, offices, meeting and training rooms or libraries; exposure to noise and dust on occasion. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. ["The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) is directly responsible for the provision of direct and quality care to a culturally diverse Veteran population for respiratory needs. The RRT possesses the knowledge and skills to effectively apply all aspects of the respiratory process within a collaborative, interdisciplinary practice setting, which will then enable effective implementation of health promotion and prevention practices, management of acute and chronic illnesses, and attainment of optimal levels of functioning and/or support of the dying patient and significant others. Role responsibilities and accountabilities also include demonstration of knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age related needs of patients served in the assigned area of practice. This knowledge includes understanding changes associated with aging and principles of growth and development relevant to the adult and geriatric population. The RRT is also responsible and accountable for maintaining BLS and ACLS certification and for performing activities that reflect the educational, experiential and competency requirements. Work Schedule: Full-Time, varied schedules to be discussed with hiring manager. Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Not Authorized FLSA: Not Exempt up to GS-9 BU: BU Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 22016F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years' vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA. Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement). For More Information on Benefits: https://www.vacareers.va.gov/Benefits/EmploymentBenefits Competitive Federal benefits: Job security- Stability Career advancement and priority in hiring as a Federal employee Federal Retirement Survivor Benefits Military buy back toward retirement Leave Benefits: AL (13-26 days), SL (13 days), Paid Federal Holidays (11 days) , Paid Parental Leave 12 wks. FEHB lowest cost FEGLI low cost Flexible Spending accounts Pre-taxed Federal Long Term Care Insurance TSP matching 5% and Pre-tax contributions Child Care subsidy And more"]
About Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.