Clarification from the agency

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

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• Supervises and manages the respiratory department, assigning and evaluating work of subordinate staff and resolving issues that may interfere with patient examinations or treatments.
• Evaluates, implements, and recommends new procedures, equipment, products, and emerging technologies; provides instruction and training for new staff.
• Interviews candidates; recommends selections, advancements, promotions, and disciplinary actions; provides guidance in complex or non-standard cases.
• Manages departmental budget and resources; develops departmental plans for financial and personnel needs.
• Conducts audits of inpatient and outpatient records to ensure proper documentation of plan of care, assessments, therapy, procedures, outcomes, and patient safety.
• Supplies accurate information to the Chief to ensure regulatory compliance and appropriate clinical care.
• Determines quality assurance and compliance data required for evaluation and participates in data collection.
• Monitors technical and clinical competence of all personnel through training, performance review, and quality control assessments.
• Evaluates effectiveness of new procedures and equipment; investigates quality or quantity issues and initiates corrective actions.
• Oversees all aspects of respiratory care including clinical practice, program administration, staff supervision, education, and human resource management.
• Assesses patient needs, delegates tasks appropriately, and manages staffing to meet clinical demands.
• Advises leadership on policy implications, key issues, and internal/external relationships; recommends courses of action.
• Maintains effective interdepartmental relationships to support medical center goals and coordinates resolutions to complex problems.
• Participates in audits, identifies performance improvement opportunities, and recommends or implements changes.
• Participates in respiratory care teaching, training, and staff development; assesses and evaluates staff competency at hire and continuously thereafter.
• Represents the department in interdisciplinary meetings, facility-level committees, and VISN-level engagements.
• Exercises independent judgment with broad latitude in decisions impacting staff, operations, and resource allocation.
• Manages respiratory care programs, which may include home oxygen therapy, home ventilator management, Sleep/PAP clinic operations, pulmonary procedure clinic services, and respiratory care provided in Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs).

Work Schedule: 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 61534F
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 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.
• English Language Proficiency: MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part.
• 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-0601series 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-0601series 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 GS-13 Supervisory RRT:

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. Itis highly desirable that the candidate possess certification in one or more functional specialties. AND,

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.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: Physical Standards. 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.