Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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The clinical supervisor must perform higher-level duties to ensure continuous quality assurance and coordinate educational and competency training. The candidate plays a pivotal role in monitoring clinical data, performing therapeutic procedures, and communicating changes in care plans. The position demands proficiency in performing emergency procedures, maintaining equipment, and participating in quality assurance programs. This role requires engagement in professional development, interdisciplinary collaboration, and ensuring a safe and organized work environment in compliance with OSHA and JCAHO standards.



Duties: Incumbent will provide advanced respiratory care for adult and geriatric patients, including monitoring and managing patients on mechanical ventilation, assisting with bronchoscopy, and planning and evaluating respiratory care procedures.

• • Incumbent will collect, review, and evaluate relevant clinical data from the medical records, care team, patient, and patient's family to ensure appropriate care when indicated.
  • Incumbent will oversee the work of lower-graded respiratory therapists, ensuring staff development, competency training, and adherence to quality standards. Adjust workload and assign tasks to staff, providing guidance and support as needed.
  • Incumbent will ensure quality assurance, manage day-to-day operations, maintain respiratory care equipment, and perform chart audits and documentation submissions.
  • Incumbent will participate in departmental quality assurance and hospital performance improvement initiatives, adhering to all safety protocols and medical center policies.
  • Incumbent will gather feedback from internal and external stakeholders, fostering open communication and support. Advocate for and negotiate with various parties to achieve organizational goals.
  • Incumbent will: Protect sensitive data, follow regulations regarding access to computerized files, and maintain confidentiality.
  • Incumbent will apply clinical expertise in such a manner as to upgrade patient care where indicated and assist the provider in formulating an appropriate respiratory care plan based upon patient assessment, history, lung auscultation, chest x-ray, pulse oximetry, etc.
  • Incumbent assembles, checks, and corrects malfunctions and performs quality controls on respiratory care equipment.
  • Incumbent will have the capability to assign duties and responsibilities to staff. They will provide coverage in those areas that require continuous respiratory presence (MSICU/Medical-Surgical Intensive Care Unit, IICU/Intermediate Intensive Care Unit, etc.).
  • Incumbent will help monitor supplies within the department and orders supplies as needed

This role requires a strong mix of clinical expertise, leadership capabilities, administrative skills, and a commitment to high standards of patient care and staff development.

Work Schedule: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm - subject to change
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 640-03600F
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.
• 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).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be picked and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship
• 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).

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment in paragraph above, all individuals referred and assigned to this occupation must meet all the qualification requirements and KSAs defined in the specific assignment as follows.

Supervisory Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-13: Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must:

• Have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. It is highly desirable that the candidate possess certification in one or more functional specialties.
• 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:

• Ability to supervise employees.
• Ability to assist in establishing a completely integrated program.
• Skill in recommending improvements to operations, including new and emerging procedures based on evaluation of data.
• Ability to forecast resource needs and to manage fiscal matters.
• Skill in problem solving including conflict resolution.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying levels of background.
• Knowledge of complex and non-standard examinations, treatments, procedures and techniques.

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. 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.

Preferred Experience: Preferred to have leadership experience in respiratory therapy.

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

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

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.