Clarification from the agency

This job is open to current permanent employees of the facility/CBOCs where this vacancy is located Central Arkansas Veteran Healthcare System. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position.

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The duties of the Lead Registered Respiratory Therapist include, but not limited to:

• Collects, reviews, and evaluates relevant clinical data from the medical records, care team, patient and patient's family to ensure appropriate care when indicated.
• Performs both basic and complex therapeutic procedures for adults and geriatric patients. Example: monitoring patients receiving mechanical ventilation, using techniques that include interpretation of clinical data, describing and interpreting arterial blood gas values and acid base balance.
• Applies clinical expertise in such a manner as to upgrade patient care where indicated and assist the provider in formulating an appropriate respiratory care plan based upon patient assessment, history, lunch auscultation, chest x-ray, pulse oximetry, etc.
• Communicates changes in the respiratory care plan and/or patient status to other health care team members as appropriate. Additionally, will make recommendations to providers regarding changes in treatment based upon patient observation and diagnostic test values.
• Provides effective and relevant education to the patient, family, students, and facility staff when appropriate.
• Performs both fundamental and advanced diagnostic procedures.
• Performs both emergency and acute Respiratory Care procedures in accordance with departmental guidelines and industry standards.
• Participates in departmental quality assurance and hospital organizational performance improvement.
• Complies with all medical center policies and procedures regarding safety practices and demonstrates working knowledge of the appropriate safety protocols.
• Maintains clinical and professional competency based upon established standards of practice.
• Assembles, checks, and corrects malfunctions and performs quality controls on respiratory care equipment.
• Participates in in-service education pertaining to respiratory therapy, maintaining a close relationship with other disciplines and students who may rotate through the health care facility.
• Assigns duties and responsibilities to staff. Provide coverage in those areas that require continuous respiratory presence (ICU, ER, etc.) when the assigned staff are on breaks or lunch or must leave for any reason.
• Monitors supplies within the department and orders supplies as needed; utilizing VA systems to request repair and replacement of equipment through Information technology and Biomedical departments to ensure proper and timely replacement of supplies and/or repair of broken equipment and devices.

Work Schedule: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 7:30am - 6:00pm; Depending on staffing needs and occasional weekend coverage. Schedule subject to change based on the needs of the facility.
Compressed/Flexible:Available
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 598-01104-F
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.
• 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

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: RTs/RRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• 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:
Lead Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-0601-12
Experience, Licensure and Credential:

• 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. 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:

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

Preferred Experience:

• 2-3 years of ICU experience
• Leadership experience
• Effective communication skills and professional behavior promoting cooperation and teamwork

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: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

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.