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:

• a
• 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
• b
• Education
• Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor
• c
• 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
• d
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: i
• Ability to assign personnel and tasks to be accomplished in a manner that assures completion of the workload
• ii
• Ability to oversee and direct clinical guidance in a manner that assures completion of the workload
• iii
• Ability to communicate with individuals of varying backgrounds to solve problems and provide conflict resolution
• iv
• Ability to recommend uncommon or atypical interventions
• v
• Ability to recommend ways to improve patient care and operations through independent research and evaluation of new equipment and therapies Assignments
• For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety and must be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time
• Lead RRTs are found in higher complexity facilities (level 1 and 2) and the lead duties must be regular and reoccurring and must constitute at lead 25% of the duty time
• This assignment may be established as day/evening/night and/or inpatient/outpatient
• They ensure work is distributed among employees in accordance with established workflow or job specialization
• Lead RRTs assure timely accomplishment of the assigned workload, assess the status, quality and progress of work and make day-to[1]day adjustments in accordance with established priorities
• They provide clinical practice guidance for other respiratory staff and assist with technical work problems not covered by precedents or established policies for nonroutine or complex procedures
• They assist RRTs in determining treatment options for complex patients
• They study the quality and quantity of work and operating effectiveness and take or recommend needed actions
• They represent the department at interdisciplinary meetings 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: The position consists of sedentary and active tasks
• Sedentary tasks include but are not limited to sitting at a desk, utilizing computer, and completing phone calls and charting
• Active tasks include but are not limited to walking, standing, bending, steps, squatting, reaching above and below your head and carrying of light items such as books, papers, and equipment necessary for treatments.