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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Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Assesses work requirements and workload for each of the areas under their immediate supervision.
• Reviews and assesses section policies and procedures with the latest NBRC/AARC standards.
• Assesses the quality of data input by staff for arterial blood gasses and other respiratory care services and implements corrective actions when needed.
• Ensures that employees can perform basic and advanced respiratory assessments, ventilator management, respiratory treatments and oxygen therapy.
• Ensures that employees can assist in troubleshooting for Respiratory Care equipment including invasive and non-invasive ventilation.
• Assess equipment needs and anticipate acquisition of new equipment as the technology changes and replacement of existing equipment as it becomes outdated or is reaching end of live.
• Works with the Medical Director, Respiratory Care and others in the Pulmonary/Critical Care Section to submit equipment requests in a timely manner to assure the facilities respiratory equipment remains current.
• Assures implementation of hospital policies, procedures, and standards of care.
• Assists with the development and maintains appropriateness of policy and procedure manuals of the Respiratory Care department.
• Assist with assessing adequate supplies are on hand by conducting inventories & either ordering or notifying Medical Director, Respiratory Care or Section Chief of deficiency.
• Consistently maintains complete confidentiality of all files, i.e., medical, financial, employees, and computer or other sensitive material, which may jeopardize the privacy of others.
• Demonstrates professionalism (in behavior, appearance, and interactions) and accountability and works effectively with others.
• Assists in maintaining a constructive working relationship with the union representative and implements policies described in the labor-management agreement.
• Formulates plans and arranges for appropriate training courses for Respiratory Care staff members with new treatment procedures or operation of new types of medical equipment.
• Monitors continuing education hours for each employee and reports any noted deficiencies to the Medical Director, Respiratory Care and/or the Chief, Pulmonary/Critical Care Section.
• Initiates corrective action for any noted deficiencies and provides specific documentation for disciplinary actions.
• Assists with establishment, implementation and reporting ofperfo1mance improvement activities to assure compliance with standards.
• Assists collecting/providing accurate data for the Quality Improvement (QI) and Quality Assurance (QA) programs in the Respiratory Care Department.
• Initiates and conducts audits and analyzes a wider variety of data related to Respiratory Care Planning and the specialized needs of the Veteran, the service and the medical center
• Advises leadership on policy implications, key issues relationships to both internal and external interest groups and recommended of action.
• Analyzes various reports relating to quality improvement to ensure desired outcomes.
• Assists in or participates in approved research activities involving the Pulmonary/Critical Care Section.
• Maintains current clinical skill and credentialing through in-service programs, continuing education to include evidence of a certificate as an RRT from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) and a registry number, or certificate from another body which the NBRC recognizes as its credentialing equivalent to perform as a respiratory therapist and professional publications.
• Conducts in-service training to physicians, nurses, respiratory students, and respiratory personnel as assigned.
• Protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, Federal regulations, VA statutes and policy, and VHA policy.
• The Chief, Respiratory Care will be accountable to the Medical Director, Respiratory Care or designee for the completion of their assignment, the quality of care given, and their display of professional behavior

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8am to 4:30 pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Title/Functional Statement #:Supervisory Registered Respiratory Therapist (Chief)/PD000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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.

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:
a. 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.
b. Education. Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor.
c. 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.
d. 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.

• Failure to Obtain Credential. In all cases, RTs must actively pursue meeting national prerequisites for the RRT credential from the first day of their appointment. Failure to become credentialed within one year from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0601 RT series and may result in termination of employment. The Human Resources (HR) Office staff will provide RTs, in writing, the requirement to 1) obtain their RRT credential; 2) the date by which the RRT credential must be acquired; and 3) the consequences for not becoming RRT credentialed by the deadline. The HR Office staff must provide the written notice to selectees prior to entrance on duty date and maintain a copy in the electronic Official Personnel Folder.
• Loss of Licensure, Certification or Credentials. An employee in this occupation, who fails to maintain the required certifications, RRT credential or license must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in the termination of employment. Once credentialed, licensed or certified, RTs/RRTs must maintain a full, valid and unrestricted license, credential and certification to practice respiratory care.

e. Physical Standards. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.
f. 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).
g. 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 below to determine the specific education, credential or certification requirements that apply to this occupation.

Grade Determinations:
Supervisory Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-14.

a. Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must:
i. Have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-13 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 such as critical care, pulmonary, education and sleep medicine.
ii. Hold an active license and RRT credential.

b. Education. It is highly desirable that the candidate possess a Bachelor of Science degree from a nationally accredited college or university in respiratory care; cardiopulmonary science; or a health-related field.

c. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs:
i. Skill in implementing patient care and operations change by recognizing opportunities for improvement and analyzing data.
ii. Skill in the development and implementation of appropriate standards of care for respiratory care.
iii. Ability establish a completely integrated program that emulates "best practice" and follows national policies.
iv. Ability to supervise employees.
v. Ability to forecast resource needs to manage fiscal matters.

d. 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. RRTs at this grade in this assignment are designated as Chiefs. They manage complexity level 1 and 2 respiratory care department. They manage all administrative and clinical aspects of the organizational unit. The organizational unit may be located at one facility or multiple divisions of a facility. Decisions are made exercising wide latitude and independent judgment. They have broad and overall responsibility for the service-level department and full responsibility for clinical practice, program management, education, human resources management, budget management and supervision for employees whose work involves providing high acuity care. They provide leadership with objective, independent assessments and recommendations for policy, operational and administrative issues and initiatives requiring decision and action. They plan, assess and evaluate programs to ensure coordination between care delivered by the program and overall delivery of health care within the facility. Supervisory RRTs initiate and conduct audits and analyze a wide variety of data related to program planning and the specialized needs of the Veteran, the service and the medical center. They advise leadership on policy implications, key issues, relationships to both internal and external interest groups and recommend courses of action. They maintain interdepartmental relations with other services to accomplish medical center goals. They coordinate and negotiate resolutions to complex problems and report progress and resolution of problems in achieving goals and objectives to higher levels of management. They prepare special reports and responses, Congressional responses, briefing papers, issue briefs and decision papers for the medical center leadership, VISN or central office, which may be highly sensitive, confidential and of a complex nature. They develop policies, procedures and protocols, performance and quality standards, position descriptions and functional statements. They represent the department at interdisciplinary meetings and on facility level committees. They represent the facility to VISN-level leadership.

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-14.

Physical Requirements: Work is primarily performed in administrative areas and occasionally in inpatient and outpatient areas. Extensive interaction with patients, staff, physicians, family members, and visitors involved. Moving equipment and supplies, lifting over 20 pounds, bending, and stooping are involved. Possible exposure to bodily fluids and severe communicable diseases are involved. This position has been evaluated as Level 1 in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) definition of occupational exposure to blood borne pathogens. Positions categorized as Level 1 require the performance of tasks that can likely result in exposure to blood and potentially infectious body fluid.

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.