Duties
The RRT/Home Oxygen Coordinator plans both clinical and administrative work to achieve goals within the home oxygen program. They recommend organizational changes within allowable costs and policies to enhance care efficiency. Recognizing staff respiratory therapists' needs, they autonomously recommend plans to meet operational needs within the home oxygen program and manage all aspects of the program across various VA sites.
Other duties and functions include but are not limited to:
- Provide clinical information for prescribing providers, ensures that patients receive education on the use of home oxygen by clinical staff or contracted vendors, and follows up with new patients within three months to confirm continued adherence to criteria for home oxygen therapy.
- Document adverse events in the electronic health record, report incidents to the VA medical facility Director and Patient Safety Manager and participate in local and VISN Home Oxygen Committees.
- Monitor the home oxygen program, ensures timely and effective care, communicates concerns, and conducts quality assurance activities.
- Provide coordinated care for traveling veterans, alert vendors about high-risk patients, and recommend enhancements in services and equipment quality.
- Participate in organizational committees, develop and update policies, and engage in performance improvement and research initiatives.
- Responsibilities extend to outpatient respiratory programs, maintaining an arterial blood gas program, and coordinating with VA prosthetics and other providers.
- Handle various respiratory-related procedures, reviews records to control costs, and coordinates home mechanical ventilation care.
- Explain work requirements, resolve technical problems, update guidelines and policies, and keep higher management informed of urgent issues.
- Contribute to employee selection and planning educational programs.
- Audit the home oxygen program, proposes improvements, and may partake in approved research activities.
- Monitor home oxygen consultants for clinical compliance as per VHA Directive 1173.13.
- Perform analytical studies and interpret results to improve operations.
- Conduct all phases of service delivery, program resources and fiscal management.
- Coordinate daily operations, develop and maintain policies and procedures for program operation and prepare reports and statistics for facility and Veterans Integrated Service Network use.
- Conduct a variety of audits, including clinical practice audits to evaluate operations and productivity and to ensure appropriate documentation of therapy, procedure, clinical outcomes and patient safety.
- Assist in determining quality and compliance data to be collected and investigate problems related to quality and quantity of work and operating effectiveness and recommend needed action.
- Make recommendations for program improvement and expansion based on research and emerging knowledge.
- Provide clinical information for prescribing providers, ensures that patients receive education on the use of home oxygen by clinical staff or contracted vendors, and follows up with new patients within three months to confirm continued adherence to criteria for home oxygen therapy.
Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm
Compressed/Flexible:Not Authorized
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Functional Statement #: 81943F / Registered Respiratory Therapist (Program Coordinator-Home Oxygen)
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
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. Must be US Citizen. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
- 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: Successful completion of a respiratory care program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) or its successor is required.
- If your school program was accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) or its successor at the time of graduation, but is no longer listed on the websites, or has changed names, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet. Failure to do so will result in an ineligible rating.
- Licensure. A full, current and unrestricted license from an state to practice as a Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT) is required.
- Credential. A valid, current, unrestricted credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) as a Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT) is required.
- Loss of Licensure, Certification or Credentials: An employee in this occupation, who fails to maintain the required certifications, RRT credential or license must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in the termination of employment. Once credentialed, licensed or certified, RTs/RRTs must maintain a full, valid and unrestricted license, credential and certification to practice respiratory care.
Grade Determinations: In addition to meeting the basic requirements stated above, the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates.
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 following clinical competencies: ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for complex respiratory care to develop care plans to provide favorable patient outcomes; manage and maintain the airway and ventilation of the patient using appropriate mechanical means; determine and implement complex respiratory care such as protocols, respiratory modalities, bronchoscopy, medications or supplemental oxygen and intubation; use advanced modes of ventilation and outpatient services, such as home ventilators and COPD case management; perform invasive procedures such as arterial line placement.
- Hold an active license and RRT credential.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. While we no longer require essay-style responses to our Knowledge's Skills, Abilities, you must be able to demonstrate that you possess the (below) competencies which are necessary to perform the work of the position. Please ensure your resume/CV/application contains sufficient information to support the level of experience/education/training; These are the KSA's for this position and grade level:
- Ability to develop policies and guidelines regarding new and emerging procedures.
- Ability to implement policies and guidelines regarding new and emerging procedures.
- Ability to maintain policies and guidelines regarding new and emerging procedures.
- Ability to make recommendations regarding new and emerging procedures.
- Ability to perform complex analytical studies of patient care.
- Ability to interpret results to coordinate the management and evaluation of patient care.
- Ability to coordinate the work of subordinate staff.
- Ability to manage all aspects of a complex patient care program including day-to-day operation, training program resources and fiscal management.
Reference. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit
https://www.va.gov/OHRM/QualificationStandards/HT38/0601-RegisteredRespiratoryTherapist.pdf.
Preferred Certifications.
- Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation Certificate issued AARC
- AE-C awarded by the NAECB
- COPD Educator course offered by the AARC
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 such as mechanical ventilators. The work requires above average dexterity and agility to perform intricate respiratory therapy procedures. Ability to drive/operate government vehicle.
Education
Education: Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor.
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.
Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:
1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility.
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:
- Resume
- CRT or RRT Credential by NBRC
- Current, valid state license (CRT or RRT)
- Transcript/Diploma
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
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
- Any specialty certification directly related to the position
- Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation Certificate issued AARC
- AE-C awarded by the NAECB
- COPD Educator course offered by the AARC
- CPFT, RPFT, RPSGT
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 08/19/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12778750.
- 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.