Clarification from the agency

Open to the Public (US Citizens). Position is on site at the Madison VA in Madison, WI. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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VISN 12 is committed to fostering and sustaining an environment which celebrates diversity, provides equitable opportunities for employment and promotion, and supports inclusiveness in our culture. Together, we strive to create and maintain working and learning environments that promote professional growth and teamwork, and are inclusive, equitable and welcoming. We embrace our differences as individuals and unite as a team toward a common goal: to serve our nation's Veterans.

This position serves as a Supervisory Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) for inpatient and outpatient services. The RRT administers various respiratory therapy procedures, assesses the respiratory status of patients utilizing physical observation and clinical analysis to determine therapy effectiveness and makes recommendations to providers regarding treatment changes. The incumbent is responsible for his/her individual program within the service. The services are performed in accordance with the guidelines established by the National Board of Respiratory Care: (NBRC) WI licensing Board and the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), and policies and procedures of Middleton VA Hospital. The protocol and procedures are established for the treatment, management, evaluation ,and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities associated with the cardiopulmonary system. The incumbent will be competent to perform within all areas of the section to meet patient care needs.

Major Duties:

• Responsible for managing all administrative and clinical aspects of the organizational units. This includes Inpatient and Out-Patient Respiratory Care Services, Sleep/CPAP and clinics.
• Responsible for all aspects of the departments goals. This includes planning, organizing, staffing, decision making, coordinating ,reporting and budgeting for all areas supervised. Decisions are made exercising wide latitude and independent judgement.
• Have a broad and overall responsibility for clinical practice, program management, budget management and supervision for employees whose work involves providing high acuity care.
• Knowledge of advanced practice skills in all aspects of respiratory care.
• Skill in communicating data, policies and regulations.
• Develops and regularly reviews policies and procedures ; ensures that this program remains compliance with existing VA policy and regulations and JCAHO standards.
• Serves as a liaison between the department and its clinical consumers.
• Represent the department at interdisciplinary meetings and on facility level committees.
• Advise leadership on policy implications, key issues, relationships to both internal and external interest groups and recommended course of action.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm
Telework: (Adhoc only) Discussed in interview
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: Registered Respiratory Therapist - Supervisor/PD10114F
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 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

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: 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.
• English Language Proficiency: RRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).
• 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-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:
GS-14: Experience, Education, Licensure and Registration. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess their RRT credential.

Specialized Experience:
Must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. Itis highly desirable that the candidate possess certification in one or more functional specialties such as critical care, pulmonary, education and sleep medicine and must hold an active license and RRT credential.
In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: 1.Skill in implementing patient care and operations change by recognizing opportunities for improvement and analyzing data. 2.Skill in the development and implementation of appropriate standards of care for respiratory care. 3.Ability establish a completely integrated program that emulates "best practice" and follows national policies. 4.Ability to supervise employees. 5.Ability to forecast resource needs to manage fiscal matters.

Preferred 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.

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

Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary, but may require walking, bending, standing, and /or carrying of light items such as files and manuals. The work does not require any special physical effort or ability. 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.