Clarification from the agency

Open to current VHA employees Nationwide only, First Consideration will be given to Orlando VA Healthcare System Employees (Station 675) NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) is tasked with the assistant management and oversight of the HBPC program and other VA-staffed in-home programs. They play a crucial role in developing Medical Center policies, spearheading planning and decision-making processes, driving performance improvement initiatives, and managing resources and evaluation efforts that directly impact the delivery of healthcare services to patients. The RRT also facilitates the approval of referral processes for the HBPC program and other VA-staffed in-home programs, ensuring smooth and efficient patient access to services. Some of the duties include, but are not limited to:

• Assist the HBPC Program Director and are accountable for the management, supervision, and evaluation of care provided to patients enrolled in the HBPC programs.
• Assists in the development and ongoing effective functioning of the interdisciplinary healthcare team, recognizing and leveraging the unique skills, knowledge, and contributions of each team member.
• Collaborates closely with the HBPC Program Director, HBPC Medical Director/Assistant Medical Director, and HBPC Nurse Manager/Assistant Nurse Manager for the daily management of the program.
• Responsible for interpreting and communicating VA policies to both the HBPC team and the VHA facility.
• Ensures that staff possess a thorough understanding of the Performance Improvement (PI) process, their respective roles, and responsibilities, and empowers them to initiate and implement PI projects.
• Responsible for evaluating program activities and implementing follow-up actions as required by internal and external review organizations and accrediting bodies.

Work Schedule: The primary tour of duty will be M-F 8am to 4:30pm. However, the selectee may also be required to work various shifts on a permanent or temporary basis, based on the needs of the service and patient care.
Telework: Yes-Ad Hoc Only
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement: Registered Respiratory Therapist - HBPC Assistant Program Director
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.
• 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).
• 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 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. 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).
• Education-Transcripts Submitted. Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor.
• Licensure-Documentation Submitted. 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--Documentation Submitted. 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.

Grade Determinations, GS-12:

In addition to the basic requirements for employment, all individuals referred and assigned to this occupation must meet all the qualification requirements and KSAs defined for Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-12.

Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have:

• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level.
• 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 develop policies and guidelines regarding new and emerging procedures.
• Ability to implement policies and guidelines regarding new and emerging procedures.
• Ability to maintain policies and guidelines regarding new and emerging procedures.
• Ability to make recommendations regarding new and emerging procedures.
• Ability to perform complex analytical studies of patient care.
• Ability to interpret results to coordinate the management and evaluation of patient care.
• Ability to coordinate the work of subordinate staff.
• Ability to manage all aspects of a complex patient care program including day-to-day operation, training program resources and fiscal management.

Preferred Experience: HBPC experience; Medical Foster Home (MFH) experience; Program Coordinator experience; Supervisory experience

Grandfathering Provision. The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all hybrid title 38 qualification standards. Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education, credential or certification requirements that apply to this occupation. 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. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time 5 they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:

• Employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure, certification or registration, may be reassigned, promoted or demoted within the occupation.
• Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure, certification or registration, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance level or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the full performance level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
• Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure, certification or registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure, certification or registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher- grade levels.
• Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
• Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure, certification or registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.
• If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation or employment with the VA, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation and/or VA.

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: Heavy Lifting (45 lbs. and over); Moderate Carrying (15-44 lbs); Pushing; Straight pulling; Pulling hand over hand; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 6 hours); Standing (up to 6 hours); Kneeling (Intermittent); Repeated bending (up to 6 hours); Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 an to 20/40 in the other; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted); This position requires emotional and mental stability and often places the incumbent in a position of stress

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 permanent VHA employees of the facility.
2. All other VHA 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.