Clarification from the agency

Open to current permanent employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs (including employees in the Miami VA Healthcare System and its surrounding CBOCs. Department Employees have first consideration, facility employees second consideration, and then all other VHA employees.

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**Amended-Job Duties and Assignments added to duties**

Major duties include but are not limited to:

Manages and supervises all aspects of respiratory care service including administrative support to the Chief Respiratory Therapist and clinical practice, program management, education, human resources management and supervision of the service. The Assistant Chief Therapist manages daily Respiratory Therapy Service operations, provides guidance for the assessment of patient needs and delegates tasks appropriately, supports the Chief Respiratory Therapist on policy development and implementation, provides input on key issues and consultation to both internal and external interest groups and recommend courses of action and maintains interdepartmental relations with other services to accomplish medical center goals.

Areas of Responsibility:

1. Ability to assist in establishing a completely integrated patient care program.
2. Evaluates and supervises all Respiratory Therapists (GS-11), Lead Therapist (GS-12) and Supervisor (GS-13)
3. Cover RTU Chief during absence.
4. Reports to RTU Chief and works in collaboration with Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service (PLMS) and Ancillary Test Coordinator to follow and implement current laboratory practices.
5. Full responsibility for maintaining Blood Gas Standards as per TJC, CAP, CLIA, and VHA Main Pathology Laboratory policies.
6. Institute and supervision of contingency plans in the event of power in order to maintain and provide continuity of care in the blood gas/chemistry laboratory(s), and in the event of disaster such as: hurricanes, fire, or threats to the Medical Center.
7. Maintain Departmental Policies, and Employees Skills Checks in accordance to College of American Pathologists, VHA, and Medical Center Policies and Guidelines for the RTU- Blood Gas and Chemistry Laboratory(s).
8. Maintain inventory, order supplies via Logistics and maintain all Quality Assurance checks for the RTU-Blood Gas and chemistry Laboratory(s) and RTU services.
9. Ability to organize work, delegate tasks, evaluate performance, manage fiscal matters, and meet multiple deadlines.
10. Ability to supervise and manage subordinate employees.
11. Skill in interpersonal relationships including conflict resolution.
12. Ability to establish and monitor standards and priorities for production and patient care.
13. Skill in recommending improvements to operations based on evaluation of data.

The Registered Respiratory Therapist RTU Assistant Chief is responsible for:

1. The RTU Assistant Chief is responsible for: orientation of new staff, annually certifying current staff, competencies in all Blood Gas/Chemistry Laboratory policies and procedures and for the Respiratory Therapy Service. Ongoing training on new equipment or procedures as needed to keep performance levels high, co-ordination with analyzers' manufacturer for training and new upgrades or competencies required for the proper use of the analyzers.
2. Co-ordinates with Pathology/Laboratory Medicine Ancillary Supervisor regarding Quality Assurance Program (QAP) testing and College of American Pathologist CAP survey Reports and testing for the College of American Pathologist (CAP), TCJ inspections for accreditation and licensing.
3. Establish the mean for statistical analysis for blood gas/Chemistry laboratory(s). Information is use by peer Group to evaluate performance of analyzer(s).
4. Response to RTU Chief and work in collaboration with PLMS in all issues regarding the blood gas/chemistry Laboratory(s) including progress report, resolution of problems, CAP survey, TJC and for Quality Assurance (QA), Performance Improvement.
5. Resolve technical problems covered by precedents of established policies for non-routing or complex procedures. Studies continuing problems of quality and quantity of work and operating effectiveness and takes or recommends needed actions.
6. Evaluates performance standards for staff operating in the ancillary Laboratory(s) regarding the blood gas/chemistry practices.
7. Assures that policies and procedures are current and accurate with CAP and TJC requirements for the Laboratory(s), adheres to the main pathology laboratory new policies and procedures as indicated.

Work Schedule: 7:30am - 4pm, Monday through Friday
Functional Statement #: 30876F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
EDRP Authorized: Not authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

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: To qualify for appointment to this position, all applicants must possess the following:

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. RRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, of VA Handbook 5005.

Education (Submit documentation): Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor.

Licensure (Submit Documentation). Persons appointed or reassigned to RRT positions in the GS-0601series must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a full, current and unrestricted license from a state to practice as an RRT.

Credential (Submit Documentation).Persons appointed or reassigned to RRT positions in the GS-0601series must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a valid, current, unrestricted credential of RRT.

Grandfathering Provision. 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.


Grade Determinations: Supervisory Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-13

Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must-Documentation Submitted:

i. Have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. Itis highly desirable that the candidate possess certification in one or more functional specialties.
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 supervise employees.
ii. Ability to assist in establishing a completely integrated program.
iii. Skill in recommending improvements to operations, including new and emerging procedures based on evaluation of data.
iv. Ability to forecast resource needs and to manage fiscal matters.
v. Skill in problem solving including conflict resolution.
vi. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying levels of background.
vii. Knowledge of complex and non-standard examinations, treatments, procedures and techniques.

Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, then higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity and range of variety and must be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. This assignment is designated as an RRT Assistant Chief. They serve as full assistant to a Service Chief in complexity level 1 and 2 facilities. These facilities may offer specialty care and services and may be affiliated with academic institutions. Individuals are typically assigned to this position at moderately to highly complex respiratory care services within the organization. Supervisory RRTs share the full scope of delegated managerial responsibilities and serve as the Acting Service Chief in the absence of the Chief. They support department functions at the direction of the Chief. They make decisions affecting staff and other resources with wide latitude of control and independent judgment. They independently provide respiratory services at all levels of complexity. They supervise staff members of different levels of assignments and/or occupation. They provide direction of the program services assigned to them including utilization of resources and budget. They may develop and initiate new programs, develop policies, protocols and procedures, assure compliance with regulatory requirements and monitor staff performance. They assist in determining quality assurance and performance data to be collected. Supervisory RRTs maintain established policies, procedures, protocols and quality assurance programs. They participate in the development of a department level plan for financial and personnel resources. They encourage professional development, resolve conflicts which might interfere with the delivery of services, identify continuing education and training needs, create an environment of learning and serve as a mentor to staff. They attend professional meetings and take responsibility for professional development. They collaborate with other healthcare team members to generate new ideas for quality improvement with regards to administration and overall function of the department, patient care and accomplishment of facility goals. They represent the department at interdisciplinary meetings and on facility level committees.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 13.

Physical Requirements: The work requires standing and walking for prolonged periods of time. The therapist must frequently bend, reach, stoop, and stretch to set up and take apart respiratory equipment, position patients, push/pull moderately heavy objects (50Lbs. or greater) such as mechanical ventilators. The work requires above average dexterity and agility to perform intricate respiratory therapy procedures in confined areas of the intensive care unit.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Area of Consideration- Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:

1. Current departmental VA employees of the Bruce W. Carter VA Medical Center (Miami).
2. Current facility VA employees of the Bruce W. Carter VA Medical Center.
3. All other VA employees.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.