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. This announcement is open to current permanent Department of Veterans Affairs employees. Applicants will be referred in the following order: 1. Current permanent Facility employees. 2. Current permanent Agency (Department of Veterans Affairs) employees

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Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties:

• Manage staff members, assess the needs of patients, and delegate tasks appropriately.
• Advise leadership on policy implications, key issues, and relationships to both internal and external interest groups and recommend courses of action.
• Maintain interdepartmental relations with other services to accomplish medical center goals.
• Coordinate and negotiate resolutions to complex problems.
• Participate in the audit of respiratory care, identify opportunities for performance improvement, and recommend changes where indicated.
• Maintain established departmental policies and procedures, objectives, and quality assurance programs.
• Participate, identify, and develop opportunities for performance improvement.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Joint Commission, Core Measures).
• Participate in respiratory teaching and training.
• Assess and evaluate staff qualifications and competence upon employment and on an ongoing basis.
• Recommend appointments, advancements, and disciplinary actions, when appropriate.
• Represent the department at interdisciplinary meetings and on facility level committees and represent the facility to VISN-level leadership.
• Evaluate the work performance of developmental and full performance level employees, resolve conflict among staff members, and propose disciplinary action.
• Perform various procedures to control and maintain artificial airways including adjunct airways, frequent adjustments in ventilator settings, advanced ventilator techniques including positive end expiratory pressure and continuous positive pressure. Assess patients for weaning from the ventilator and extubation.
• Perform airway care on intensive care patients including tracheobronchial and nasotracheal suctioning, endotracheal and tracheostomy tube cuff pressure monitoring, chest physiotherapy involving postural draining and percussion, chest examinations for the presence of secretions, proper placement of the endotracheal tube, tracheostomy care, extubation, and tracheostomy changes.
• Analyze current and future workforce requirements to determine competencies and skills needed. Work with servicing Human Resources Management Office in all steps of the recruiting and hiring process to expeditiously recruit for vacant positions and select qualified employees, including obtaining at least two references for the selectee.
• Meet all established timeframes and deadlines.
• Successfully transition new hires into the position by promptly communicating performance elements and standards within applicable timeframes, providing ongoing feedback and coaching, and making appropriate use of the probationary period to assess the employee's ability to perform.
• Establish results-oriented plans with subordinate employees with cascaded goals within 60 days of the beginning of the performance appraisal cycles.
• Provide employee feedback on performance informally on a regular basis.
• Conduct a progress review for each employee at least once during the appraisal period and document the review in the appropriate space on the appraisal form.
• Initiate a written counseling or a warning of unacceptable performance to correct the performance deficiency if, during the progress review, the performance of any element is less than fully successful.
• Complete and communicate performance appraisals, measured against performance standards, within 60 days of the end of the appraisal cycle.
• Appropriately identify and address specific, performance-related deficiencies with the employee in a timely manner to ensure employee is given every opportunity to improve to a successful level of performance.
• Coach, mentor, and provide feedback to develop the ability of subordinate staff and others, to perform and contribute to the organization.
• Recognize and reward employee contributions and performance in accordance with policy and within established timeframes.
• Work with the Human Resources Management Office to ensure that any employee conduct deficiencies are addressed expeditiously.
• Ensure subordinates complete all mandatory training on a timely basis.
• Manage Respiratory Therapy students during clinical rotations and ensure they are mentored and precepted by a staff Registered Respiratory Therapist at the full performance level.
• Respond constructively to concerns reported by employees.
• Take responsible action to resolve reported concerns, including conducting administrative investigations or referring allegations to appropriate offices.
• Foster an environment in which subordinates are comfortable reporting concerns to supervisory employees or to other appropriate authorities.

Work Schedule: Mon - Fri, 8:00am to 4:30pm.
Telework: Ad-hoc.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000.
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 dentification 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

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS.
To qualify for appointment as an RRT, all applicants must possess the following:

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.

• (1) Exception. RT positions will be designated only to individuals who are in the process of obtaining credentials to become an RRT. These individuals will only be hired on a temporary appointment as provided below.
  • (a) VHA may waive the RRT credential requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified and pending completion of prerequisites for RRT credential. Individuals who have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor, acquired the CRT credential, are fully licensed by their state and are working toward completion of their RRT credential may be given a temporary appointment as an RT. The temporary appointment is made under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7401(a)(1)(B) for a period not to exceed one year from date of employment. Candidates must hold an active, current, full and unrestricted RRT credential and be licensed to hold a position at or above the GS-07 level.
  • (b) RTs may only be temporarily appointed at the GS-05 level and may not be promoted/converted to a higher-level position as an RRT until the RRT credential is received.
  • (c) RTs must provide care only under the close supervision of an RRT.
  • (d) Temporary RT appointments may not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment.
  • (e) 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.
• (2) 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. 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).

GRADE DETERMINATIONS.
In addition to the basic requirements for employment above, all individuals referred and assigned to this occupation must meet all the qualification requirements and KSAs defined in the specific assignment as follows:

Supervisory Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-13.
(a) Experience, Licensure, and Credential. Candidates must:

1. Have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level.
2. Hold an active license and RRT credential.

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

1. Ability to plan and assist in the establishment of a completely integrated respiratory care program.
2. Ability to recommend improvements based on evaluation of facility operations.
3. Ability to supervise employees.
4. Ability to manage the fiscal aspects of the functions supervised.

Preferred or specialized experience:

• Minimum of 3-5 years of progressively responsible experience as a registered respiratory therapist. With a demonstrated ability in overseeing and managing respiratory care services within a healthcare setting.
• Experience in a supervisory or leadership role, including responsibilities such as staff scheduling, performance evaluations, and contributing to staff development and training.
• Comprehensive knowledge of respiratory therapy techniques, medical terminology, and contemporary practices in respiratory care.
• Proven ability to implement and adhere to regulatory compliance and quality assurance standards.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills, with the ability to effectively manage and motivate a diverse team.
• Proficiency in using healthcare information systems and electronic medical records.
• Ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to enhance patient care outcomes.
• Prior experience within the Veterans Health Administration or a comparable healthcare environment is highly desirable.

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-13.

Physical Requirements: Work requires moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 pounds); straight pulling (up to 4 hours); pushing (up to 4 hours); use of fingers; both hands required; walking (up to 4 hours); standing (up to 4 hours); the ability to accurately see a digital display; and hearing (aid may be permitted).

Environmental Factors: There may be protracted or irregular hours of work, and you must be able to work alone and work closely with others.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

What are KSAs?
In the federal hiring process, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) are a list of special qualifications and personal attributes that you need to have for a particular job/grade level (see Qualifications section of this announcement).

• Knowledge statements refer to an organized body of information usually of a factual or procedural nature which, if applied, makes adequate performance on the job possible. A body of information applied directly to the performance of a function. Skill statements refer to the proficient manual, verbal or mental manipulation of data or things.
• Skills can be readily measured by a performance test where quantity and quality of performance are tested, usually within an established time limit.
• Ability statements refer to the power to perform an observable activity at the present time. This means that abilities have been evidenced through activities or behaviors that are similar to those required on the job. Note that abilities are different from aptitudes. Aptitude is only the potential for performing the activity.

Although not required at the time of application, we highly recommend submitting a supplemental document with your written responses to the KSAs required at each grade level you wish to be considered. If you choose not to submit KSA responses, please ensure your resume includes details of your experience that fully demonstrate the required KSAs as described in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement.

5 Tips for Writing a Federal Resume - FederalPay.org (https://www.federalpay.org/articles/5-tips-for-writing-a-federal-resume)

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.