Clarification from the agency

Area of Consideration - Eligible applicants will be reviewed and referred in the following order: 1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility. 2. All other VA employees. 3. Current permanent Federal employees of other agencies. 4. All other applicants.

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The supervisory registered respiratory therapist (RRT) provides oversight to all respiratory services, managing the clinical, technical, administrative, and supervisory aspects of the respiratory service. The supervisory registered respiratory therapist (RRT) manages clinical practice, program management, staff education, human resources, fiscal management, and supervision of the service. They provide oversight to the respiratory services, assess the needs of patients, delegate tasks appropriately, inform and advise leadership on policy implications, maintain interdepartmental relations, and resolve complex problems. They participate in performance audits, identify opportunities for improvement, ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, and represent the department at interdisciplinary meetings and committees.

The following is a summary of the major essential functions of this position. The incumbent should be aware that changes in required functions of the position may necessitate him/her to perform related major and minor duties not mentioned below.

• Manages and supervises all aspects of respiratory care including clinical practice, program management, education, human resources management, and the supervision of the service.
• Supervises, assists, and advises all respiratory staff members which includes, at a minimum, assigning and evaluating the work of the staff, managing staff schedules, and approving leave requests.
• Supervisor plans work schedules and the sequence of operations. Recommend and implement changes in organization or work assignments and responsibilities to improve work, productivity, services, and job satisfaction.
• Assumes responsibility for providing 24-hour, 7-day-a-week contact information for respiratory care services as applicable.
• Assesses and evaluates staff qualifications and competency upon employment and on an ongoing basis.
• Supervises the care and maintenance of respiratory therapy equipment. Maintains current inventory of all equipment utilized, assumes responsibility of care and procurement of same. Determines safety and efficiency of equipment using medical center safety policies and OSHA as a reference.
• Reviews, collects and evaluates relevant clinical data.
• Formulates an appropriate respiratory therapy plan based upon patient assessment.
• Communicates orally and in writing, changes, adjustments and recommendations with other healthcare team members.
• Provides effective education and training to patients, students and co-workers as appropriate.
• Performs respiratory procedures for adult and geriatric patients. Examples include but not limited to pulmonary function testing, home sleep testing, CPAP management and education, home oxygen evaluation, Holter monitoring, administrative management of echocardiogram studies. Serve as back up assistant to cardiac stress testing as needed.
• Participates in emergency response per facility guidelines.
• Maintains clinical and professional competency based upon established standards of practice.
• Assembles, checks, and corrects malfunctions and performs quality controls on respiratory therapy equipment and technology-based equipment.
• Demonstrates appropriate verbal and written communication skills in interactions with patients, staff and visitors.
• Consistently participates in constructive information exchange via email, informal discussion and planned meetings.

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 trial 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 as an RRT, all applicants must possess the following:

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.

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-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 (Submit Documentation). 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.

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 plan and assist in the establishment of a completely integrated respiratory care program.
ii. Ability to recommend improvements based on evaluation of facility operations.
iii. Ability to supervise employees.
iv. Ability to manage the fiscal aspects of the functions supervised.

Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the 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. Supervisory RRTs manage and supervise the respiratory department which includes, at a minimum, assigning and evaluating the work of subordinate staff, resolving problems which may interfere with patient examination or treatment, evaluating new procedures, products and equipment, reviewing and recommending new and emerging procedures, providing instruction and training to new staff, interviewing candidates for positions, recommending selections, advancements and promotions, taking disciplinary action when necessary, providing guidance in more complex and non-standard cases and budget management. They represent the department at interdisciplinary meetings and on facility level committees. They conduct audits of inpatient and outpatient records to ensure appropriate documentation of plan of care, assessments, therapy, procedures, clinical outcomes and patient safety. They provide information to the Chief to ensure appropriate care and compliance with regulatory standards. Supervisory RRTs maintain established departmental policies and procedures, objectives and quality assurance programs. They assist in determining quality assurance and compliance data to be collected. They attend professional meetings and professional development events and monitor the technical and clinical competence of all personnel working in the department through appropriate training, review of results and quality control checks. They evaluate the effectiveness of new procedures and equipment. They investigate quality and quantity of work problems and operating effectiveness and take needed action.

Preferred Experience: CPAP, Home Oxygen, Home Sleep, Holter Monitor, Pulmonary Function, Echoes, Cardiac Stress Testing.

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 grade 13.

Physical Requirements: Considerable walking/standing/sitting/reaching/stooping/bending/kneeling, required to be able to lift a minimum of 40 lbs., positioning, pushing/pulling may be required when assisting with the transfer of patients or when moving equipment or supplies. Manual dexterity and mobility is required. 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.

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.