Summary Join us in shaping the future at the brand-new James Mountain Inhofe VA Medical Center! We're seeking talented Allied Health professional to make a difference in Veteran care. In 2021, Congress approved federal funding for a new Veterans Hospital in Tulsa which will be the first hospital to be built under the Communities Helping Invest through Property and Improvements Needed for Veterans Act of 2016 Responsibilities VA Careers - https://youtube.com/embed/3fMEu0iS7_Q The Incumbent Registered Respiratory Therapist is responsible for providing basic and advanced Respiratory services to adult and geriatric patients at the James Mountain Inhofe VA Medical Center; however, the therapist must be knowledgeable regarding the basic treatment of all age groups. The Therapist plans, implements and evaluates the effectiveness of respiratory care procedures. Duties include but are not limited to: Incumbent 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 Supervisor and will have full responsibility for modifying the workload to accomplish the assigned duties. Incumbent will collect, review and evaluate relevant clinical data from the medical records, care team, patient and patient's family to ensure appropriate care when indicated. Incumbent will be capable of performing both basic and complex therapeutic procedures for adults and geriatric patients. Example: 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. Incumbent will apply clinical expertise in such a manner as to upgrade patient care when 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. Incumbent will communicate changes in the respiratory care plan and/or patient status to other health care team members as appropriate. Additionally, the incumbent will make recommendations to providers regarding changes in treatment based upon patient observation and diagnostic test values. Incumbent will provide effective and relevant education to the patient, family, students, and facility staff when appropriate. Incumbent will perform both fundamental and advanced diagnostic procedures when needed Incumbent will perform both emergency and acute Respiratory Care procedures in accordance with departmental guidelines and industry standards. Incumbent will actively participate in departmental quality assurance and hospital organizational performance improvement. The Therapist will comply with all medical center policies and procedures regarding safety practices. The Therapist will demonstrate working knowledge of the appropriate safety protocols. Incumbent will maintain clinical and professional competency based upon established standards of practice. Incumbent assembles, checks, and corrects malfunctions and performs quality controls on respiratory care equipment. Incumbent will 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. Incumbent will assign individual assignments based on patient acuity and staffing levels. Lead will be available to cover areas when needed and as indicated. Incumbent may be assigned a workload, however at a lesser amount than other assigned staff. Incumbent will be responsible for performing chart audits, monthly documentation submission and perform In service education as necessary. Incumbent will have the capability to assign duties and responsibilities to staff. They will provide coverage in those areas that require continuous respiratory presence (ICU, etc.) when the assigned staff are on breaks or lunch or must leave for any reason. Incumbent will help monitor supplies within the department and orders supplies as needed. They will 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. Provides additional, non-traditional services as determined by EOVAHCS and department needs. Leadership - Evaluate completed work for appropriateness and effectiveness in meeting goals. The Incumbent is available for unusual situations that do not have clear precedents or established policies. Assist staff in determining treatment options for complex patients. Operate and assist in clinical competency, documentation, schedule and time keeping Work Schedule: 8:00am-4:30pm, Variable Compressed/Flexible: May be available Functional Statement #: 623-61174-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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. 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. 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. 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. 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: i. 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. ii. 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: Supervisor or Lead experience Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, such as lifting, moving or turning patients. Pushing carts, ventilators, and other equipment to multiple floors. Much of the time is spent standing and walking, reaching for supplies and equipment. Performing chest compression and bag and mask ventilation. 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/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
