Duties
General Description:
The incumbent will be located at the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS). The incumbent reports to the Chief of Respiratory Care Services along with the Chief of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and the Clinical Director of Division of Hospital & Specialty Medicine (DHSM). The Chief of Pulmonary and Critical Care has staff authority of the overall functioning of the Inpatient Respiratory Care Department and reports to the Clinical Director of the Division of Hospital & Specialty Medicine who reports to the Chief of Staff.
The Shift Supervisor Registered Respiratory Therapist of Outpatient Respiratory Care Services is responsible for providing basic and advanced respiratory services to adults and geriatric patients at the VA Portland Health Care System. The incumbent plans, implements, and evaluates the effectiveness of respiratory care procedures and must be able to operate a variety of equipment including the range of instruments needed to provide diagnostic Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT) and Home Oxygen assessments along with specialized equipment that is used in the care of patients with ALS and other advanced disease processes that effect the respiratory system.
The incumbent must have demonstrated expert knowledge of respiratory therapy methods, equipment, and procedures and the ability to assume responsibility to plan, organize, direct, coordinate and evaluate programs involving Outpatient Respiratory Care.
The incumbent is responsible for day-to-day operations of the outpatient respiratory care department, including quality oversight, equipment calibration and maintenance, training/resource responsibilities with suppliers and patients, and perform as primary interface between providers, patients and vendors.
The incumbent will oversee all work of the outpatient respiratory therapy staff. Duties include orientation and training of new outpatient respiratory therapists and providing guidance and technical direction to current outpatient respiratory therapists. The incumbent serves as the coordinator for workload distribution, ensuring adequate coverage in all clinics. The incumbent will act as the liaison between the outpatient respiratory therapists and the administrative managers. The incumbent will have the ability to provide briefings and orientation to hospital staff, including physicians, as well as the ability to manage employee schedules and patient appointment matrices.
The incumbent will also oversee staff development and all educational and competency training and provide annual performance assessments. The incumbent is responsible for quality assurance and will actively shift supervisor Respiratory Care Service specific evidence-based improvement processes.
Work Schedule: 10 hour tours (0530-1600), variable days.
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 00000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
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 trial period.
- 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.
- 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).
Qualifications
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: Lead Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-12.
- Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must:
- Have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. RRTs at this grade level in this assignment have experience demonstrating advanced practice skills and clinical judgment across many areas of respiratory care both inpatient and outpatient.
- 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 assign personnel and tasks to be accomplished in a manner that assures completion of the workload.
- ii. Ability to oversee and direct clinical guidance in a manner that assures completion of the workload.
- iii. Ability to communicate with individuals of varying backgrounds to solve problems and provide conflict resolution. .
- iv. Ability to recommend uncommon or atypical interventions.
- v. Ability to recommend ways to improve patient care and operations through independent research and evaluation of new equipment and therapies
Preferred Experience:
- o minimum two years of basic Pulmonary Function Testing experience.
- o Preferred experience = minimum two years of management/supervisory experience.
- o Preferred experience = possesses the ability to address, troubleshoot and initiate equipment maintenance and repairs
- o Preferred experience = In addition to RRT credentials it is preferred that the candidate holds either a CPFT (Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist) or RPFT (Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist) credential(s) Specialized experience" on top of the "Preferred Experience":
- o Specialized experience = minimum two years of experience performing complex pulmonary function testing protocols, i.e: CPET (Cardio Pulmonary Exercise Testing) and MC (Methacholine Challenge)
- o Specialized experience = minimum two years of experience working with mechanically ventilated patients both invasively and non-invasively. o Specialized experience = minimum two years of experience working with advanced airways
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit
https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination. Exceptions: A pre-placement examination is required for any occupation or assignment that requires the operation of a government-owned or -leased motor vehicle in order to properly carry out assigned duties. Examinations may also be required for any occupation or assignment that requires a pre-placement examination by virtue of another policy, regulation, or statute
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/.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
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.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
- License
- Professional Certification
- Resume
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.
- Cover Letter
- License
- Other (1)
- Professional Certification
- Resume
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 07/18/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12757900.
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.