Clarification from the agency

First area of consideration internal to West Palm Beach Medical Center. Second area of consideration is open to VISN8 employees, third area of consideration VHA Nationwide. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

The Lead Registered Respiratory Therapist demonstrates the knowledge and ability to successfully perform the following duties within the scope of Respiratory Care. A Respiratory Therapist-Lead may perform other duties, both major and minor, that are not mentioned below.

• Will have a great deal of independence in the performance of their duties. They will be the person in charge in the absence of the Chief or Supervisor and will have full responsibility to modify the workload to accomplish the assigned duties.
• Collect, review and evaluate relevant clinical data from the medical records, care team, patient and patient's family to ensure appropriate care when indicated.
• Monitoring patients receiving mechanical ventilation, assisting with bronchoscopy, using techniques that include interpretation of clinical data, describing and interpreting arterial blood gas values and acid base balance.
• Apply clinical expertise in such a manner as to upgrade patient care where indicated and assist the provider in formulating an appropriate respiratory care plan based upon patient assessment, history, lung auscultation, chest x-ray, pulse oximetry, etc.
• Provide effective and relevant education to the patient, family, students, and facility staff when appropriate.
• Perform both fundamental and advanced diagnostic procedures.
• Perform both emergency and acute Respiratory Care procedures in accordance with departmental guidelines and industry standards.
• Comply with all medical center policies and procedures regarding safety practices.
• Maintain clinical and professional competency based upon established standards of practice.
• Assembles, checks, and corrects malfunctions and performs quality controls on respiratory care equipment.
• Participate in in-service education pertaining to respiratory therapy, maintaining a close relationship with other disciplines and students who may rotate through the health care facility.
• Assign individual assignments based on patient acuity and staffing levels. Lead will be available to cover areas when needed and as indicated.
• Responsible to perform chart audits, monthly documentation submission and perform In-service education as necessary.
• Utilize VA systems to request repair and replacement of equipment through Information technology and Biomedical departments to ensure proper and timely replacement of supplies and/or repair of broken equipment and devices.

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday - 7.30 to 4pm with (rotating weekend)
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 41857F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

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.
• 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).
• 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.

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:
Citizenship. Citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, of this part. See 38 U.S.C. 7407(a) for more information.

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).

Education. Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor.

Licensure-Documentation Submitted. 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, all individuals referred and assigned to this occupation must meet all the qualification requirements and KSAs defined in the specific assignment as follows:

Lead Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-12.Experience, Licensure and Credential.

Experience. 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.

Credential. 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 assign personnel and tasks to be accomplished in a manner that assures completion of the workload.
• Ability to oversee and direct clinical guidance in a manner that assures completion of the workload.
• Ability to communicate with individuals of varying backgrounds to solve problems and provide conflict resolution.
• Ability to recommend uncommon or atypical interventions.
• Ability to recommend ways to improve patient care and operations through independent research and evaluation of new equipment and therapies.

Preferred:
1 year of management and/or lead experience
Submit Performance Appraisal (If possible to add)

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS11.

Physical Requirements: See VA Handbook 5019

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.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.

Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.

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
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• PCS Orders
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

Next steps