Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to current, permanent Veterans Health Administration only. **NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.**

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• The incumbent serves as a Home Oxygen Coordinator within PSAS, overseeing the major functions of the Home Oxygen Program, including but not limited to: Home Oxygen prescription review, Invoice review, Customer service, Drafting funding obligations, Conducting home site visits in accordance with PSAS National Program Office requirements.
• The incumbent may perform limited chart reviews in the performance of their duties to ensure complete prescriptions for home oxygen have been received and may provide recommendations to the treatment team regarding the development of prescriptions and provide technical assistance and guidance on planning and coordinating efforts, to address complex patient needs for equipment, services, and benefits.
• The incumbent may serve on local and/or national committees, workgroups, and teams to address a variety of issues, initiatives, and projects. PSAS management staff will be kept aware of the outcomes and recommendations to enhance the program. Incumbent may be nominated to serve as a contracting officer's representative (COR.)
• May conduct visits to VISNs and VHA Locations to collect, review, and analyze their best practices information and report finding to their direct supervisor for consideration. Incumbent must possess the ability to communicate tactfully and effectively both orally and in writing.
• Maintains awareness of VA's, VHA's, and PSAS's requirements by governing bodies, i.e. The Joint Commission (JC), Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF.)
• The incumbent audits the monthly bill received by the contracted vendor, ensuring appropriate spending by the federal government.
• Monitors and ensures requests for items or services are completed and received under established timeframes; and confers with contractors, vendors, and other health care workers as needed regarding procurement status and other needs and concerns.
• Monitors and analyzes PSAS compliance reports, Delayed Order Report, assists in developing tools that monitor VHAs quality assurance program. Works in collaboration with supervisor and senior staff to plan, develop, and prepare budget estimates; to develop cost- containment measures for home oxygen equipment and services.
• Incumbent may also serve on the Home Respiratory Care Team and/or the Home Bound Primary Care committee.
• Procures materials, supplies, and equipment; familiar with inventory stock at the contracted vendor and works collaboratively with the contracted vendor to provide oversight of government furnished equipment stored at the contracted vendor's site.
• Refers veterans to proper clinical area for evaluation with guidance from supervisor and senior staff, in accordance with local and national policies.
• Monitors and analyzes PSAS compliance reports, Delayed Order Report, assists in developing tools that monitor VHA's quality assurance program. Works in collaboration with supervisor and senior staff to plan, develop, and prepare budget estimates; to develop cost- containment measures for home oxygen equipment and services.
• Incumbent may also serve on the Home Respiratory Care Team and/or the Home Bound Primary Care committee.
• Identifies and selects national CMS/ Health Care Procedural Coding System (HCPCS) codes are entered for every item purchased through and/or billed to ensure proper reporting.
• Ensures all home oxygen equipment and requests are Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved/cleared. Collaborates with clinical staff when devices and equipment require repair or replacement and takes necessary actions to resolve issues.
• Prepares minutes and/or correspondence to veterans, health care officials, contractors or the contracting officer regarding home oxygen needs and requirements.
• May interact with Veterans, caregivers, and clinical staff by answering questions related to the home oxygen program, including but not limited to provision of items or equipment, service issues and discharge planning.
• The incumbent must maintain a RRT certification from a nationally recognized credentialing body. The incumbent does not work in the standard capacity of an RRT.
• Basic qualifications such as SPO2 reading and/or equipment settings may be obtained when conducting home site
  visits for the purpose of documentation in the veterans' electronic medical record.
• Monitors individual performance standards and completes retrospective audits. Serves as liaison between the department and its
  clinical consumers (i.e., nursing service, administration, and other support services).
• Additional duties may be assigned as determined necessary for the service.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Telework: Ad-hoc; Situational Ad-hoc as directed by agency policy
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 52262-A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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 / evaluation.
• 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

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.
• English Language Proficiency.
  • Per VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j: No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C., chapter 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English.
• 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:


GS 11 Registered Respiratory Therapist (Full Performance)

Experience:

• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level

GS 11 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA's): In addition to meeting the experience for the GS-11 level, do you possess the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for complex respiratory care to develop care plans to provide favorable patient outcomes.
• Skill in evaluating the efficacies of therapeutic modalities.
• Skill in performing advanced airway and ventilation management.

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

This vacancy is being announced at the Full Performance Level GS 11.

Physical Requirements: Most of the work is sedentary when in the role of Home Oxygen Coordinator (RRT). In the role of respiratory therapist, the work requires some physical exertion such as prolonged periods of standing, bending, reaching, crouching, stooping, stretching, and moving moderately heavy equipment or assisting patients. The work requires the employee to demonstrate agility and dexterity.

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:

• License
• Other (1)
• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

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 (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• Other (2)
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

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

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