Clarification from the agency

This position is open to all qualified applicants from the public. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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Major duties include but may not be limited to the following:

• Responsible for providing the coordination and local clinical oversight of the Home Oxygen Program. The HOC is responsible for evaluating all program deficiencies and program compliance/non-compliance as it relates to the Home Oxygen Program and VHA policies or Joint Commission accreditation
• Serve as the Program Coordinator for the Home Oxygen Clinic, otherwise known as the Home Oxygen Coordinator (HOC), and other activities within the Respiratory Section, as needed. May also serve as an emergency back-up to the Respiratory Section.
• The HOC will perform internal and external QA monitoring, ensuring that the patient's annual renewals are completed by the facility in a timely manner. This individual works closely with patients and/or caregivers, Prosthetic Service, the Pulmonary Section, the Respiratory Section, the Ambulatory Care Section, Telehealth Technicians/Telehealth Program, Hospital-Based Primary Care, Home Based Primary Care, and VISN contracted vendors in administering a uniformed program compliant to all required procedures, policies, and standards established by the Department of Veteran Affairs
• Collaborate with local contracted vendor's clinicians/technicians as the VA's clinical contact for the outpatient veterans who are enrolled in the Home Oxygen Program
• Monitor the vendor's schedule for addressing the needs of high risk patients through a QA process. At a minimum, the contract for oxygen delivery services for home care patients must incorporate requirements that the contractors provide educational and/or warning information for patients and their families and/or caregivers on the hazards of smoking while oxygen is in use
• Collaborate with local patient safety staff regularly to assure all safety issues are addressed according to Joint Commission standards
• Responsible for executing written orders from physicians. If a written home oxygen request is inaccurate, incomplete, vague or invalid for any reason, the first respiratory therapist who becomes aware of this problem will contact the physician immediately to clarify the order. If the physician does not discontinue an invalid order and cannot immediately enter the correct respiratory order, the HOC will request that the physician discontinue the order and enter a new order as soon as circumstances permit
• Respond to emergent and urgent calls without delay, and are expected to prioritize routine respiratory services as required, so that emergent and urgent calls can be responded to in a timely fashion
• Participate in all monthly, Home Respiratory Care Team meetings, reporting data to the Assistant Chief of Medical Service, who will report to the Chief of Staff or designee for oversight of the outpatient program
• Make certain that the administration of the Home Oxygen Program is conducted in a uniformed manner facility-wide. The HOC will participate in the role of a technical expert for the Home Oxygen Program, has knowledge of and respects patients' confidentiality and privacy, has knowledge of VISTA, CPRS, Outlook, JLV, and Excel programs. The HOC will possess a high degree of motivation, leadership and self-direction
• Manage data collection, evaluation and reporting of various aspects relating to the Home Oxygen Program to report to Upper Management of needed changes in the program
• Exercise a high degree of skill and sound judgement in applying health care techniques. The HOC must have knowledge of Joint Commission standards on home care in relation to home oxygen therapy. He/ She also understand the unique demands of home oxygen therapy patients with age specific needs
• Respond to consults and special requests throughout the hospital as well as outpatient (including but not limited to the Community Cased Outreach Centers aka CBOC's
• Conduct weekly, at a minimum, Home Oxygen Evaluation Clinic; ensures home oxygen patients meet criteria; ensures appropriate follow-up; provides direct patient care and education for both outpatients and inpatients; and researches patient issues for appropriate resolution
• In unusual circumstances can assist with Sleep Clinic as a liaison between the patient and the Physician
• The HOC is expected to question, utilizing their clinical judgement, any physician's order that they feel is incorrect or inappropriate
• All other duties as assigned (ie: outpatient ABG, discharge nebulizer training, inpatient Respiratory Therapist duties in unusual circumstances, oversee subordinates in the Home Oxygen Program)

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 evaluation.
• 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.

• 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.

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:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• 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.

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).

Grade Determinations: All individuals assigned to this occupation must meet all the basic qualification requirements above and all basic qualification requirements defined for the specific Grade (GS-12).

GS-12 Qualifications

Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have:

1. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level
2. Hold an active license and RRT credential. The following certifications are desirable but not required:
   • Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist
   • Pulmonary Rehabilitation Certificate issued AARC
   • AE-C awarded by the NAECB
   • COPD Educator course offered by the AARC

1. Ability to develop policies and guidelines regarding new and emerging procedures
2. Ability to implement policies and guidelines regarding new and emerging procedures
3. Ability to maintain policies and guidelines regarding new and emerging procedures
4. Ability to make recommendations regarding new and emerging procedures
5. Ability to perform complex analytical studies of patient care
6. Ability to interpret results to coordinate the management and evaluation of patient care
7. Ability to coordinate the work of subordinate staff
8. Ability to manage all aspects of a complex patient care program including day-to-day operation, training program resources and fiscal management.

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.