Summary This position is organizationally aligned to the Pulmonary Department, Respiratory Care Unit, Medicine Service, at the Captain James A. Lovell FHCC - a Level 1c Complexity VHA Facility. The primary purpose of this position is to provide direct patient respiratory and related care. Manages and Supervises outpatient programs such as Home Oxygen, PFT, Home Ventilators, ALS Clinic, and Sleep/PAP Clinic. Contributes ideas, plans, and information to improve outpatient respiratory services. Responsibilities Major duties include but not limited to: Program Responsibilities: Aids in the development and regular review of policies and procedures; ensures that this program remains in compliance with existing VA policy and regulations and TJC standards. Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of all the program activities through standard and innovative techniques. Maintains statistical and patient data. Monitors individual performance standards and assists in retrospective audits. Serves as liaison between the department and its clinical consumers (i.e., nursing service, administration, and other support services). Monitors staff educational needs and performs annual competency assessments for staff. Operate and manage key clinical, training, research or administrative programs including the day-to-day activities, resource management and fiscal management of those programs. Oversee administrative and programmatic resources Develop and implement short- and long-term goals and objectives consistent with the program and facility strategic plans. Perform and interpret complex analytical studies and prepare reports for facility, VISN and national use. Represent the department at interdisciplinary meetings and on facility level committees. Provide assistance with the daily Pulmonary Function Testing patient load. Personnel Responsibilities Provide leadership, direction, orientation, coaching, mentoring, in-service training, and staff development. Provides guidance to staff with counseling sessions for matters which may require disciplinary action. Recommends the appropriate action if necessary. Interviews candidates and recommends selections, as well as advancements and promotions. Supervisory Controls The incumbent is under the technical and administrative supervision of the Chief, Respiratory Care. They review completed work for results achieved and for conformance to department policies and requirements. At this level, the supervisor places considerable reliance on the Registered Respiratory Therapists knowledge of complex procedures, and completed work is evaluated for technical soundness, appropriateness, and conformity to policy. The Supervisory Registered Respiratory Therapist will regularly use a variety of sources for guidance and make clinical decisions. The employee uses judgment in interpreting and adapting guidelines such as agency policies, regulations, precedents, and work directions for application to specific cases or problems. The Registered Respiratory Therapist analyzes results and recommends changes. Customer Services Requirements Meets the needs of customers while supporting the Medical Center and Service missions. Consistently communicates and treats customers (patients, visitors, volunteers, and all Medical Center staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner. Provides the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures. Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately. Age, Development, and Cultural Needs of Patients The focus of this position is on the provision of psychological services to Veterans enrolled at the VAIHCS. These Veterans are typically between 18 and 90 years of age. This position requires the incumbent to possess or develop an understanding of the particular needs of these types of patients. Computer Security Requirement Protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, Federal regulations, VA statutes and policy, and VHA policy. Protects the data from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion. Follows applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes, etc. Uses word processing software to execute several office automations functions such as storing and retrieving electronic documents and files; activating printers; inserting and deleting text; formatting letters, reports, and memoranda; and transmitting and receiving e-mail. Green Environmental Management System (GEMS) All employees shall possess knowledge and skills required to effectively implement the GEMS. Complies with the relevant environmental statutes, regulations, and Executive Orders. Competency shall be monitored by the' employee's ability to demonstrate through the implementation process that sufficient education and training has been provided, Monitoring will be performed by annual audits, questionnaires, and trending of staff knowledge. Information pertaining to monitoring of staff knowledge will be processed and reviewed by the GEMS Committee and forwarded to the Environment of Care Committee for review. Work Schedule: 7:30am - 4:00pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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: 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. References: VHA Handbook 5005 Appendix G11 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS13. Physical Requirements: Work is primarily performed in patient care areas, in-patient and outpatient. Extensive interaction with patients, staff, physicians, family members and visitors involved. Moving equipment and supplies, lifting to 40 pounds, bending, stooping and possible exposure to body fluids is involved. This position has been evaluated as a Level 1 in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) definition of occupational exposure to blood borne pathogens. Level 1 Positions in this category require the performance of tasks that are exposed to blood and potentially infectious body fluid. 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information