**Amended-Assignments section added to duties** The position is in the Operative Care Service serving the Respiratory Therapy Service line as the Assistant Chief therapist within the Bruce W. Carter VA Medical Center. The Assistant Chief therapist supports the Chief Respiratory Therapist and re-enforce policies, procedure, and SOPs, by implementing those policies and procedures for the respiratory therapy Service and performing program administrative duties.
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: To qualify for appointment to this position, all applicants must possess the following: 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. RRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, of VA Handbook 5005. Education (Submit documentation): Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor. Licensure (Submit Documentation). Persons appointed or reassigned to RRT positions in the GS-0601series must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a full, current and unrestricted license from a state to practice as an RRT. Credential (Submit Documentation).Persons appointed or reassigned to RRT positions in the GS-0601series must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a valid, current, unrestricted credential of RRT. Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education, credential or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. Grade Determinations: Supervisory Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-13 Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must-Documentation Submitted: i. Have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. Itis highly desirable that the candidate possess certification in one or more functional specialties. 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 supervise employees. ii. Ability to assist in establishing a completely integrated program. iii. Skill in recommending improvements to operations, including new and emerging procedures based on evaluation of data. iv. Ability to forecast resource needs and to manage fiscal matters. v. Skill in problem solving including conflict resolution. vi. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying levels of background. vii. Knowledge of complex and non-standard examinations, treatments, procedures and techniques. Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, then higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity and range of variety and must be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. This assignment is designated as an RRT Assistant Chief. They serve as full assistant to a Service Chief in complexity level 1 and 2 facilities. These facilities may offer specialty care and services and may be affiliated with academic institutions. Individuals are typically assigned to this position at moderately to highly complex respiratory care services within the organization. Supervisory RRTs share the full scope of delegated managerial responsibilities and serve as the Acting Service Chief in the absence of the Chief. They support department functions at the direction of the Chief. They make decisions affecting staff and other resources with wide latitude of control and independent judgment. They independently provide respiratory services at all levels of complexity. They supervise staff members of different levels of assignments and/or occupation. They provide direction of the program services assigned to them including utilization of resources and budget. They may develop and initiate new programs, develop policies, protocols and procedures, assure compliance with regulatory requirements and monitor staff performance. They assist in determining quality assurance and performance data to be collected. Supervisory RRTs maintain established policies, procedures, protocols and quality assurance programs. They participate in the development of a department level plan for financial and personnel resources. They encourage professional development, resolve conflicts which might interfere with the delivery of services, identify continuing education and training needs, create an environment of learning and serve as a mentor to staff. They attend professional meetings and take responsibility for professional development. They collaborate with other healthcare team members to generate new ideas for quality improvement with regards to administration and overall function of the department, patient care and accomplishment of facility goals. They represent the department at interdisciplinary meetings and on facility level committees. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 13. Physical Requirements: The work requires standing and walking for prolonged periods of time. The therapist must frequently bend, reach, stoop, and stretch to set up and take apart respiratory equipment, position patients, push/pull moderately heavy objects (50Lbs. or greater) such as mechanical ventilators. The work requires above average dexterity and agility to perform intricate respiratory therapy procedures in confined areas of the intensive care unit.
**Amended-Assignments paragraph added down below** Major duties include but are not limited to: Maintaining, managing, and evaluating the entire Respiratory Therapy Service at least twenty-three employees (full-time equivalent) and two (Service Supervisors) whose work involves providing respiratory and related care. Plan, assess, and evaluate programs to ensure coordination between care delivered by the program and overall delivery of health care with the facility. Typically, duties and responsibilities will include: Plans work schedules and the sequence of operations, and recommends and implements changes in organization or work assignments to improve work, services, job satisfaction, etc. Also, recommends and justifies to higher authority changes with significant budgetary impact. Assigns and explains work requirements relative to respiratory care for new or changed, as well as existing, programs. Develops and updates guidelines and policies for nonroutine or complex assignments. Keeps employees and higher-level supervisors informed of matters that affect them. Has authority to prepare and follow up on actions for most supervisory personnel functions. Prepares formal requests for filling vacancies for additional personnel to meet work requirements. Selects or participates with significant influence in selection of employees from eligible candidates. Prepares requests and recommendations for promotions, reassignments and other changes, and incentive and employee recognition awards and special advancements. Formulates training and education plans for subordinates and arranges for appropriate training courses. Participates in both the planning and delivery of comprehensive in-service respiratory and related care teaching and training programs for subordinates and other staff in different disciplines. Plans instruction and participates as an instructor for the facility respiratory care educational program. Plans and participates in the audit of respiratory care, recommending changes where indicated. Work Schedule: 7:30am - 4pm, Monday through Friday Functional Statement #: 30876F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized EDRP Authorized: Not authorized