Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to (Current & Permanent) Federal Employees and US Citizens. 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 Supervisory Registered Respiratory Therapist:

• Manages, directs, or assists in managing or directing, one or more programs to deliver health care services to Veterans. Assumes a high level of supervision of a large, complex section and, as necessary, provides supervision to subordinate supervisors.
• Directly contributes to the administrative management of the AVAHCS and is the principal advisor for planning, organizing, developing, managing and evaluating the programs under their supervision
• Applies specialized principles and practices of health care management in leading programs. Decisions are made exercising wide latitude and independent judgment Develops and implements the organizational vision that integrates program goals, strategic priorities, ICARE values, and other factors Plans the sequence of operations, recommends and implements changes in organization or work assignments to improve work, services, job satisfaction, etc.
• Develops statements of goals, policies, priorities and plans for the full range of department related concerns, including guidelines and policies for non-routine or complex assignments
• Resolves technical work problems, including those not covered by precedents or established policies
• Develops and reports to higher level leadership changes in budget requirements based on anticipated workload and productivity capability of the section
• Prepares formal requests for filling vacancies and for addition personnel to meet work requirements, reviews candidates, performs interviews and selects staff
• Serves as a consultant and works in collaboration with case managers, discharge coordinators, physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and ancillary staff regarding the respiratory care provided
• Develops policies, procedures and protocols, performance and quality standards, position descriptions and functional statements Acts as a resource person in planning, reviewing, or revising facility policies and procedures that impact patient care
• Establishes relationships with professional and/or other health-related groups within the community
• Consults with affiliates and works collaboratively with the Medical Center's managers, and discipline specific functional area professional and clinical leaders to develop and enhance program opportunities and performance in support of mission objectives
• Coordinates services with other departments
• Reports progress and resolution of problems in achieving goals and objectives to higher levels of management
• Represents the department at interdisciplinary meetings and facility level committees and to VISN level leadership
• Participates in VISN and national-level initiatives
• Prepares special reports and responses for the medical center leadership, VISN or central office, which may be highly sensitive, confidential, and of a complex nature
• Provides oversight in developing procedures and methodologies for monitoring quality assurance and continuous improvement programs
• Analyzes a wide range or processes with long-term goals using basic and advanced tools to accomplish analysis
• Develops audits and selects methods for measuring quality of services
• Analyzes quality and performance improvement data to assess compliance with multiple specific and technical guidelines and functions and makes recommendations for changes to ensure desired outcomes
• Uses sound judgment in decision-making that focuses on meeting and improving quality customer service and the delivery of patient focused outcome-orientated health care Implements, evaluates, and monitors a risk management program
• Performs administrative and personnel management functions relative to the staff supervised and has authority to prepare and follow up on actions for most supervisory personnel functions
• Assigns and explains work requirements relative to respiratory care for new or changed, as well as existing programs
• Establishes guidelines and performance expectations for staff; observes workers performance; demonstrates and conducts work performance critiques
• Develops performance improvement plans, recommending personnel actions as necessary; proposes and effects disciplinary measures as appropriate to the authority delegated in this area
• Completes annual performance appraisals
• Recommends approval, modification or rejection of formal requests from subordinates for promotion, reassignment, status changes and awards

Duties are Continued in Education Section.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 4:30 PM
Telework: Ad/Hoc Telework may be available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 53287F
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 identification 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

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: Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• 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:

Supervisory Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-14.

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.

Note: To be equivalent to the GS-13 grade level, experience must also have been earned while holding an active RRT credential by the NBRC and license as a RRT in a US State or territory.

NOTE: Clinical Competencies at the GS-13 level include:

• Skill in complex respiratory care in all inpatient and outpatient settings.
• Ability to plan and assist in the establishment of a completely integrated respiratory care program.
• Ability to establish and monitor standards and priorities for production and patient care.
• Knowledge of complex and non-standard examinations, treatments, procedures and techniques

ii. Hold an active license and RRT credential.

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. https://coarc.com/students/find-an-accredited-program/#

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs:

• Skill in implementing patient care and operations change by recognizing opportunities for improvement and analyzing data.
• Skill in the development and implementation of appropriate standards of care for respiratory care.
• Ability establish a completely integrated program that emulates "best practice" and follows national policies.
• Ability to supervise employees.
• Ability to forecast resource needs to manage fiscal matters.

Preferred Experience:

1. Current or previous VA experience in Respiratory Therapy.
2. Current or previous healthcare industry supervisory experience.
3. Current or previous healthcare industry experience, outpatient or inpatient.
4. Bachelor of Science degree from a nationally accredited college or university in respiratory care; cardiopulmonary science; or a health-related field.
5. Current or previous healthcare industry experience in communicating data, policies and regulations.

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

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-14

Physical Requirements:

This position is remote work eligible and is exempted from return to office requirements. Remote exempted positions are reviewed annually and do not imply permanent remote work status.

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.