Summary This position is organizationally aligned to the Respiratory Care Unit, Medicine Service, at the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital - a Level 1a Complexity VHA Facility. The primary purpose of this position is to plan and assist in the establishment of a completely integrated respiratory care program. Responsibilities The following is a summary of the major essential functions of this position. The incumbent should be aware that changes in required functions of the position may necessitate him/her to perform related major and minor duties not mentioned below. Supervisory Duties: Manages and supervises all aspects of in-patient respiratory care including clinical practice, program management, education, human resources management, and the supervision of the service. Supervises, assists, and advises all respiratory staff members which includes, at a minimum, assigning and evaluating the work of the staff, managing staff schedules, and approving leave requests. Recommends and implements changes in organization or work assignments and responsibilities to improve work, services, and job satisfaction. Assumes responsibility that respiratory care services will be delivered to patients on a 24-hour basis, 7 days a week if applicable. Assesses and evaluates staff qualifications and competency upon employment and on an ongoing basis. Supervises the care and maintenance of respiratory therapy equipment. Maintains current inventory of all equipment utilized, assumes responsibility of care and procurement of same. Determines safety and efficiency of equipment using medical center safety policies and OSHA as a reference. Collaborates with Biomedical Engineering to establish procedures for control of medical equipment. Assumes responsibility for implementation of infection control measures in respiratory care and pulmonary function testing areas. Maintains interdepartmental relations with other services to accomplish medical center goals, coordinates and assists in resolving issues. Resolves problems which may interfere with patient examination or treatment. Reviews and recommends new and emerging equipment and procedures. Provides instruction and training to new staff. Oversees staff development, learning, and competency training. Ensures employees complete all requires Medical Center education and training. With the Director of Patient Care Services, Chief of Staff, and Office of Education and Staff Development, plans, coordinates, and implements pertinent education programs for nursing personnel as needed. Interviews candidates for positions, recommends selection, advancements, and promotions; takes disciplinary action when necessary. Provides guidance in more complicated and non-standard cases. Participates in the audit of respiratory care, identifies opportunities for performance improvement, and recommends changes where indicated. Represents the Respiratory Care department at interdisciplinary meetings and on facility level committees. Conducts audits of patient records to ensure respiratory staff compliance with completion of assessments, progress notes, patient health education, and all inpatient and outpatient encounters. Provides information to leadership, quality improvement coordinators, and other health care providers to ensure appropriate care and compliance with regulatory standards. Maintains established departmental policies and procedures, objectives, and quality assurance programs. Develops departmental and facility Respiratory Care policies and procedures. Assists in determining and collecting quality assurance and compliance data. Maintains statistical data for reports of respiratory therapy activities. Participates, identifies, and develops opportunities for performance improvement. Establishes a systemic review of services and operations to include review and revision of organizational plan, objectives, policies and procedures, and submits to the Chief of Staff. Ensures compliance with regulatory requirements for respiratory care (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, The Joint Commission, Core Measures). Attends professional meetings and professional development events. Monitors the technical and clinical competence of all personal working in the department through appropriate training, review of results, annual competencies, and quality control checks. Evaluates the effectiveness of new procedures and equipment. etc. Incumbents position will also include Clinical Duties not listed here Work Schedule: 1530- 24:00, NIGHT tour Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements 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. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. 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: 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 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). Grade Determinations: 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. ii. 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: i. Ability to plan and assist in the establishment of a completely integrated respiratory care program. ii. Ability to recommend improvements based on evaluation of facility operations. iii. Ability to supervise employees. iv. Ability to manage the fiscal aspects of the functions supervise Preferred Experience: Previous leadership experience References: VHA Handbook 5005 Appendix G11 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS13. Physical Requirements: Physical Requirements: Physical demands may include repetitive body movements including the following: frequent reaching, standing, walking, and lifting of equipment and/or patients to provide patient care. This position requires extension of the hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction including above or below shoulder level, during the provision of patient care, including retrieval of needed equipment, supplies and to make contact with the patient. This position may require the maintenance of an upright position to perform duties associated with patient care. Note: Must have Basic Life Support (BLS) certification prior to assuming clinical duties. The BLS requirement is satisfied by successfully completing an American Heart Association (AHA) BLS Healthcare Provider Course or Military Training Network (MTN). BLS courses are normally offered within 1-5 days of entry on duty. No online certifications will be accepted. Education 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/. Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.