Clarification from the agency

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

While the Assistant Chief is responsible for making independent clinical decisions and recommendations regarding patient care and program improvements, the position does not include supervisory authority over the respiratory therapy staff. Instead, the Assistant Chief focuses on contributing to clinical leadership, quality improvement, education, and resource management. Regular communication and consultation with the Chief ensure that all actions align with the overall goals and policies of the Respiratory Therapy Services.

Major duties include, but are not limited:

• Plans work schedules and sequence of operations, and recommends and implements changes in the organization or work assignments to improve work, services, job satisfaction, etc.
• Analyzes work requirements and determines staff and resources needed to accomplish work related tasks.
• Reviews and analyzes records and reports of work production, costs, equipment and staff resources used to evaluate progress and control or reduce costs.
• Reports progress and resolution of problems in achieving goals and objectives to higher levels of management.
• Keep employees and higher-level supervisors informed of matters that affect them.
• Assigns and explains work requirements relative to respiratory care.
• Resolves technical work problems not covered by precedents or established policies for non-routine or complex procedures.
• Studies continuing problems with quality and quantity of work and operating effectiveness and takes or recommends needed actions.
• Participates in both the planning and delivery of comprehensive in-service respiratory and related care teaching and training programs.
• Plans instruction and participates as an instructor for the facility respiratory care education program.
• Develops and updates guidelines and policies for non-routine or complex assignments.
• Represents the department at interdisciplinary meetings and on facility level committees.
• Hears individuals or group grievances and employee complaints.
• Assures implementation of hospital and Respiratory Care Services policies, procedures, and standards of care.
• Helps to coordinate all activities of Respiratory Therapy section within the Medical Center and related outlying clinics.
• Assists in evaluating employee performance, prepares and conducts performance appraisals and competency evaluations.
• Initiates corrective action for any noted deficiencies.
• Assist in annual inventory and maintenance of CMR.
• Selects or participates with significant influence in selection of employees from eligible candidates.
• Interviews candidates for positions in the Respiratory Care Services Section and makes recommends for appointment/selection.
• Initiates and prepares requests for new and or/or replacement equipment.
• Reviews /audits documents of respiratory treatments given by the respiratory staff in the medical record.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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 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

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. Please select the response below, that represents how you meet the education requirement.
• 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. Exception. Respiratory Therapists, who are certified and working towards obtaining their "registration" credential, will be designated only to individuals who are in the process of obtaining credentials to become an RRT. These individuals will only be hired on a temporary appointment as provided below.
  • (a) VHA may waive the RRT credential requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified and pending completion of prerequisites for RRT credential. Individuals who have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) or its successor, acquired the CRT credential, are fully licensed by their state and are working toward completion of their RRT credential may be given a temporary appointment as an RT. The temporary appointment is made under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7401(a)(1)(B) for a period not to exceed one year from date of employment.
  • (b) RTs may only be temporarily appointed at the GS-05 level and may not be promoted/converted to a higher-level position as an RRT until the RRT credential is received. RTs must provide care only under the close supervision of an RRT. Temporary RT appointments may not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment.
  • (c) RTs must provide care only under the close supervision of an RRT.
  • (d) Temporary RT appointments may not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment.
  • (e) Failure to Obtain Credential. In all cases, RTs must actively pursue meeting national prerequisites for the RRT credential from the first day of their appointment. Failure to become credentialed within one year from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0601 RT series and may result in termination of employment.

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.
• 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 assist in establishing a completely integrated patient care program.
• Ability to organize work, delegate tasks, evaluate performance, manage fiscal matters and meet multiple deadlines.
• Ability to supervise and manage subordinate employees. iv. Skill in interpersonal relationships including conflict resolution.
• Ability to establish and monitor standards and priorities for production and patient care.
• Skill in recommending improvements to operations based on evaluation of data.

References: VA Handbook 5005/141, Part II, Appendix G11 dated March 12, 2021.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13.

Physical Requirement and Working Conditions: Moderate physical effort: (lift/carry up to 50-100 lbs.). Prolonged extensive, or considerable standing/walking. Lifts, positions, pushes, and /or transfers patients. Assists with lifting and moving patients. Lifts supplies/equipment. Pushes/pulls or moves/lifts heavy equipment/supplies. Manual dexterity and mobility. Intermittent exertion when performing treatments. Considerable reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, and crouching. Exposed to infection from disease-bearing specimens. May be exposed to infections and contagious diseases. Regularly exposed to the risk of blood borne diseases. Exposed to hazardous anesthetic agents, body fluids and wastes.

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

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