Supervisory Registered Respiratory Therapist

The Assistant Chief of Respiratory Therapy participates in complex decision-making processes related to both direct and indirect patient care in inpatient and outpatient settings. The incumbent will develop and implement treatment programs and patient care plans in collaboration with ordering physicians. Additionally, they will provide advanced airway management, monitor patient progress, and execute therapy-driven protocols developed in coordination with the medical staff.

• Supervises a large, complex section and subordinate supervisors as needed.
• Leads administrative management of NMVA health care delivery, advising on planning, organizing, developing, managing, and evaluating programs.
• Applies specialized health care management principles to program leadership.
• Develops and executes organizational vision aligning program goals, strategic priorities, and !CARE values.
• Plans operations, recommends, and implements organizational or work assignment changes to improve outcomes and job satisfaction.
• Reports budget needs and workload projections to senior leadership.
• Prepares personnel requests, interviews, and selects staff.
• Consults and collaborates with case managers, clinicians, and ancillary staff on respiratory care.
• Develops policies, procedures, protocols, performance standards, job descriptions, and functional statements.
• Serves as a resource for reviewing or revising patient care-impacting facility policies.
• Coordinates services across departments.
• Represents the department in interdisciplinary meetings, committees, and leadership forums.
• Prepares sensitive, complex reports and responses for medical center, VISN, and central office leadership.
• Oversees quality assurance and continuous improvement program development.
• Develops audits and methods to measure service quality.
• Reviews quality and performance data for guideline compliance and recommends improvements.
• Uses sound judgment to enhance customer service quality and patient-centered care.
• Handles administrative and personnel management with authority over supervisory functions.
• Assists in staffing plans based on patient needs, qualifications, infection control, geography, and HR supply.
• Assists in assigning and clarifying respiratory care work requirements for existing and new programs.
• Helps develop performance improvement plans and personnel actions; enforces discipline as authorized.
• Ensures compliance with all legal, regulatory, quality, and safety standards (Joint Commission, AWE, OIG, Fire Safety, Infection Control, etc.).
• Collaborates with logistics and contracting to establish vendor contracts.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 08:00am to 4:30pm may vary
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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: 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.

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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment in paragraph 3 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

• Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have:
  • One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level.
  • 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:
  • Ability to supervise employees.
  • Ability to assist in establishing a completely integrated program.
  • Skill in recommending improvements to operations, including new and emerging procedures based on evaluation of data.
  • Ability to forecast resource needs and to manage fiscal matters.
  • Skill in problem solving including conflict resolution.
  • Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying levels of background.
  • Knowledge of complex and non-standard examinations, treatments, procedures and techniques.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G11: Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-0601 Qualifications Standard

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13.

Physical Requirements: In the role of respiratory therapist, the work requires some physical exertion such as prolonged periods of standing, bending, reaching, crouching, stooping, stretching, and moving moderately heavy equipment or assisting patients. The work requires the employee to demonstrate agility and dexterity.

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

• 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.