Summary The Miami VA Healthcare System's Surgery Service is seeking an experienced and dynamic Lead Registered Respiratory Therapist. Ideal applicants are those who want to contribute to the achievement of quality care standards, as well as the growth and development of a VA academic hospital program. You must be an excellent communicator and team player who is adaptable to the needs of a growing medical center. Responsibilities The Lead Registered Respiratory Therapist is responsible for their individual program within the service and serves as a mentor to other staff. The services are performed in accordance with the guidelines established by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC), American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), and policies and procedures of Miami Veterans' Hospital. The protocol and procedures are established for the treatment, management, evaluation and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities associated with the cardiopulmonary system. Duties include, but are not limited to: Assists in keeping Section Chief, Assistant Chief and Respiratory Care Services abreast of changes and improvements. Assures information exchange is open with colleagues though departmental meetings, e-mail, in-services and discussions. Maintains departmental standards, policies, SOPs, and performance reviews in alignment with Joint Commission (T JC), VHA, and medical center requirements; ensures appropriate inventory and supply ordering through Logistics. Provides comprehensive support for the STAT Blood Gas Laboratory and related clinical areas (ICU, wards, ER), including QA checks, cleaning, calibration, and evaluation of respiratory equipment; maintains controls and documentation for blood gas/chemistry analyzers and Co-oximetry. Serves as mentor and preceptor, orienting new respiratory therapy staff and selected personnel; delivers formal in-services and just-in-time training for therapists and nursing teams on equipment, therapies, medications, infection control, and safety Functions as the COPD Coordinator by implementing and facilitating a patient-centered seamless transition to the home or other post-discharge setting for chronic lung disease patients. Represents Respiratory Therapy in interdisciplinary meetings and team rounds (e.g., daily work rounds, grand rounds, monthly Surgical Service meetings), collaborating on complex clinical approaches and patient management. Collaborate on hospital discharge planning with primary medical team, case management, and social work. Ensures work is distributed among employees in accordance with established workflow or job specialization. Assures timely accomplishment of the assigned workload, assess the status, quality and progress of work and make day-to-day adjustments in accordance with established priorities. Provides clinical practice guidance for other respiratory staff and assist with technical work problems not covered by precedents or established policies for non-routine or complex procedures. Assist RRTs in determining treatment options for complex patients. Work Schedule: Monday though Friday 08:00 am to 4:30 pm (Note: Work schedules are determined and approved by the supervisor. The incumbent may be required to work various shifts on a permanent or temporary basis based on facility/patient care needs). Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 30233F 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. 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 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: Registered Respiratory Therapist's 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: Must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a valid, current, unrestricted credential of Registered Respiratory Therapist. 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 for the Lead Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-12. Candidates must possess: Have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. Registered Respiratory Therapist 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. Knowledge, skills, and abilities at the GS-11 grade level include: 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. Hold an active license and Registered Respiratory Therapist 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. 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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. 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.
