Clarification from the agency

This vacancy announcement is opened to US citizens. Federal Employees may apply to the internal announcement, CBTC-12641218-25-KLJ. There is NO need to apply to both announcements.

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Duties are, but not limited to:

1. Provides direct shift supervision of all subordinate employees to ensure appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic respiratory care is provided.
2. Responsible for directing and/or modifying the scheduling of staff shift assignments for routine and/or urgent respiratory and pulmonary procedures.
3. Records and maintains patient and procedures data and associated departmental records for statistical purposes.
4. Regularly monitors condition of respiratory equipment and is responsible for recommending necessary repair or replacement.
5. Evaluates effectiveness/appropriateness of clinical/diagnostic activities and staff performance and makes recommendations for improvement.
6. Teaches and evaluates techniques, procedures and equipment use.
7. Regularly (night/evening shift) monitors quality control, ensures staff compliance with physician orders, patient education, and departmental policies and procedures.
8. Monitors day-to-day functioning of equipment and equipment needs.
9. Assists with purchasing supplies and equipment, and provides input, when requested, to all major decision making and program changes.
10. Ensures that all respiratory care patient activities are properly documented in the clinical record and department workload records, and where/when necessary, coach's staff on appropriate corrective actions (monitors every shift).
11. Provides periodic workload and utilization reports (at least two/yr).
12. Initiates performance improvement action plans as directed by the Chief and follows through until completion.
13. Proactively identifies problems, recommends, and as directed, implements effective solutions in a timely manner (within in two weeks).
14. Assists in the orientation and training of new staff and provides clinical instruction to other members.
15. Keeps staff therapists informed of matters that affect them and has the authority to authorize overtime and enlist additional therapist support.
16. Assists the Assistant supervisor in preparing the 24/7 staff work schedule.
17. Makes recommendations for promotion, special advancements, reassignments, awards, and when appropriate disciplinary action of subordinate staff therapists.
18. Participates in the orientation program for new employees.
19. Provides input into the development and evaluation of patient care standards.
20. Provides respiratory care consults for requesting medical staff by performing patient care assessments.
21. Administers oxygen and other gas therapy; humidity therapy; and aerosol therapy; as specified by a physician's order.
22. Performs Bronchopulmonary Hygiene Therapy including, IPV, Cough Assist, Chest Physical Therapy (CPT) to assist broncho-pulmonary drainage and assists patients in performing hyperinflation-breathing exercises using Incentive Spirometry, EzPAP, and similar devices.
23. Monitors patient's physiological responses, i.e., vital signs, arterial blood gases, and blood chemistry changes to therapy and documents results/evaluation in the appropriate medical record.
24. Performs arterial puncture (radial, or brachial) to obtain specimen for arterial blood gas analysis, analyzing values using the iSTAT machine or sends specimen to lab in a timely manner. May also perform STAT ECG's and provides ECG support during off-tours and when the Heart Station is closed.
25. Administers respiratory medications (e.g. bronchodilators, pentamidine, nitric oxide) and collects respiratory specimens (e.g. sputum) per doctor's order and in accordance with department policy.
26. Provides emergency airway management to include endotracheal intubations, CPR, and manual ventilation.
27. Initiates, monitors, and manages complex respiratory care devices such as mechanical ventilators, metabolic monitors, Bronchoscopy systems, CPAP/BiPAP, Sleep lab.
28. Monitor Sleep lab procedure during the sleep study physician.
29. Inspects and tests respiratory care equipment to ensure equipment is functioning properly.
30. Provides support when assigned for various pulmonary section programs, e.g.: Bronchoscopy Suite, Home Oxygen Therapy, Pulmonary Clinic, and Consult Services.
31. Performs routine trach changes, including upsizing and downsizing per physician order.
32. Provides training to patient and/or caregiver on use of home nebulizer, portable suction machines and other devices for respiratory home care.
33. Provides accurate and timely documentation of ALL procedures and therapy in the appropriate medical record, e.g. BCMA, CPRS.

Work Schedule: Monday through Sunday from 12:00 am to 8:00 am. OR 8 hour shift for 5 nights with rotating weekends.
Telework: Not available
Functional Statement #: 41637F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

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.
(1) Exception. RT positions will be designated only to individuals who are in the process of obtaining credentials to become an RRT. These individuals will only be hired on a temporary appointment as provided below.
(a) VHA may waive the RRT credential requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified and pending completion of prerequisites for RRT credential. Individuals who have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor, acquired the CRT credential, are fully licensed by their state and are working toward completion of their RRT credential may be given a temporary appointment as an RT. The temporary appointment is made under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7401(a)(1)(B) for a period not to exceed one year from date of employment. Candidates must hold an active, current, full and unrestricted RRT credential and be licensed to hold a position at or above the GS-07 level.
(b) RTs may only be temporarily appointed at the GS-05 level and may not be promoted/converted to a higher-level position as an RRT until the RRT credential is received.
(c) RTs must provide care only under the close supervision of an RRT.
(d) Temporary RT appointments may not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment.
(e) Failure to Obtain Credential. In all cases, RTs must actively pursue meeting national prerequisites for the RRT credential from the first day of their appointment. Failure to become credentialed within one year from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0601 RT series and may result in termination of employment. The Human Resources (HR) Office staff will provide RTs, in writing, the requirement to
1) obtain their RRT credential;
2) the date by which the RRT credential must be acquired; and
3) the consequences for not becoming RRT credentialed by the deadline. The HR Office staff must provide the written notice to selectees prior to entrance on duty date and maintain a copy in the electronic Official Personnel Folder.
(2) Loss of Licensure, Certification or Credentials. An employee in this occupation, who fails to maintain the required certifications, RRT credential or license must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in the termination of employment. Once credentialed, licensed or certified, RTs/RRTs must maintain a full, valid and unrestricted license, credential and certification to practice respiratory care.

e. Physical Standards. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

f. 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). Details on grandfathering are listed in the assessment questionnaire section. Please note: This position is above full performance level.

Grade Determinations: All individuals assigned to this occupation must meet all the basic qualification requirements above in paragraph 4 a-g and all basic qualification requirements defined in the specific assignment.

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:
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.

Preferred Experience: Previous respiratory lead/management experience preferred. A Bachelor degree, or any other Certification on Respiratory is also preferred.


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. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS 12.

Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, pushing, and lifting. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Staff may be required to don protective equipment in isolation situations or for operative/invasive procedures. They may also be exposed to patients who are combative, secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The tasks of a staff respiratory therapist require standing and walking for prolonged periods of time. The incumbent must frequently bend, reach, stoop, and stretch, and lift to set-up and take apart respiratory equipment, position patients for treatment, and participate in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation - all duties requiring coordination and stamina. The staff therapist must also be able to push/pull, lift, and maneuver moderately heavy objects such as oxygen cylinders, ventilators, and other pieces of medical equipment.

How you will be evaluated

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

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.