Clarification from the agency

Current, Permanent VA Employees Only 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 following duties to include but not limited to for a Lead Registered Respiratory Therapist:

Supervisory Controls:
The incumbent works under the general supervision of the Chief of In-patient Respiratory and is responsible for performing all the functions of their position following department and hospital policies with minimal supervision. Work is reviewed based upon results obtained in supporting the VAMC's mission and meeting specific program goals and objectives. The therapist independently plans and carries out the assignments, makes day-to-day decisions using own initiative, and referring most complex problems to the Supervisor.

Cardiopulmonary Disease & Diagnostics:

• Understands etiology, anatomy, pathology, diagnosis, and treatment of common cardiopulmonary diseases; as well as understanding of Cardiopulmonary medications.
• Understanding of medical gas systems, including delivery, and troubleshooting of essential oxygen delivery systems.
• Comprehension of testing procedures utilized in the diagnosis and management of cardiopulmonary disease, including, but not limited to peak flow, bronchodilator administration, forced vital capacity, arterial blood gases (ABG), chest x-ray and pulse oximetry.

Clinical Competence:

• Renders treatment based on the assessed needs of the patient, developing progressive types of respiratory therapy treatment programs.
  • Therapeutic and diagnostic procedures with the use of medical gases, administration devices, humidification, and aerosols
  • Administration of medication
  • Ventilator support
  • Broncho-pulmonary drainage and breathing exercises
  • Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
  • Rapid Response Team
  • Maintenance of airways
  • Out-of-Operating Room Intubation (OOORAM)
  • Arterial Blood Gases
  • Blood gas analysis knowledge
  • Patient/family education
• Performance of routine vital sign measurements, including heart rate, pulse oximetry, respiratory rate, assessment of respiratory pattern and evidence of dyspnea or hypoxemia.
• Identifies indications, contraindications and hazards associated with procedures routinely performed in the in-patient respiratory setting including, but not limited to oxygen administration, aerosol administration, pulse oximetry, and ABG puncture.
• Perspicacity of standard respiratory drugs (e.g., bronchodilators) including drug action and effects, recommended dosages, and the requirements for administering and storing the drugs.
• Independently makes recommendations to physicians regarding alternatives or modifications to treatment based on laboratory results, identification of any drug complications or interactions, and the Veteran's response to prescribed treatment.
• Identification of complications or barriers with any respiratory modalities ordered.
• Maintains and troubleshoots equipment, including, but not limited to: Ventilators, BiPAP/CPAP machines, oxygen systems and computer systems. Reports any equipment issues that cannot be resolved at the user level to the appropriate personnel.

Clinical Practice-Emergency Care:

• Effectively identifies and takes appropriate action when faced with adverse reactions and patient situations that require urgent or emergency management, including, but not limited to: falls, fainting, acute change in mental status, acute change in HR, RR, or blood. pressure, extreme shortness of breath, hypoxia, chest pain, cardiac and/or respiratory arrest (CODE BLUE/RAPID RESPONSES).
• Provides cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
• Intubates when clinically indicated.

Communication/Documentation:

• Communicates effectively and professionally with patients, families, coworkers, and other staff to provide exemplary care and service.
• Provides accurate, legible, and complete documentation of patient care in the CPRS system and BCMA medication delivery system.
• Advocate for ways to improve patient care and operations through independent research and evaluation of new equipment and therapies.
• Leads provide clinical practice guidance for other respiratory staff.

Education:

• Provides patient education related to the respiratory modality.
• Keeps abreast of current trends in respiratory care and effectively applies that information in practice.

Health & Occupational Safety:

• Demonstrates familiarity of critical information related to medical gas systems, including hazards and risks associated with their use and storage.
• Correctly identifies and demonstrates ability to don proper personal protective equipment (PPE) specific to modality given.
• Always ensures a safe patient environment. This includes but is not limited to keeping patient care areas clean, organized, and free from trip hazards.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 6:00pm to 2:30am
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #:94167-0
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.
• 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.
  • 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
• 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).

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).

• 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 6 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.

Grade Determinations: 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 in the specific assignment as follows:

Lead 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. RRTs at this grade level in this assignment have experience demonstrating advanced practice skills and clinical judgment across many areas of respiratory care both inpatient and outpatient. Experience at the GS 11 level includes:

• Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for complex respiratory care to develop care plans to provide favorable patient outcomes.
• Skill in evaluating the efficacies of therapeutic modalities.
• Skill in performing advanced airway and ventilation management.

Applicants must also hold an active license and RRT credential.

In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs:

• Ability to assign personnel and tasks to be accomplished in a manner that assures completion of the workload.
• Ability to oversee and direct clinical guidance in a manner that assures completion of the workload.
• Ability to communicate with individuals of varying backgrounds to solve problems and provide conflict resolution.
• Ability to recommend uncommon or atypical interventions. v. Ability to recommend ways to improve patient care and operations through independent research and evaluation of new equipment and therapies

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: May require moderate carrying (15-44 lbs.); straight pulling; pushing; reaching above the shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking; standing; repeated bending; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; ability to distinguish shades of color; emotional and mental stability; hearing (aid permitted). The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing or walking
for prolonged periods of time; frequent bending, reaching, stooping, and stretching to set up and take apart respiratory equipment and apparatus; and pushing or pulling heavy objects such as oxygen tanks and/or ventilator equipment.

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.