Summary This is the Assistant Director over Respiratory Therapy at Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System in Little Rock, Arkansas. The Supervisor Respiratory Care must be a Registered Respiratory Therapist with at least three years of clinical experience in critical care and ventilation management. The purpose of the work is to provide day-to-day supervision of staff caring for veteran patients throughout the facility as well as administer care as appropriate. Responsibilities Duties include but not limited to: Patients across the age spectrum. Direct And indirect patient observation and monitoring of signs, symptoms, reactions, general behavior and general physical response to respiratory care and diagnostic interventions. Implementation of respiratory therapy procedures, medical technology, diagnostic procedures necessary for disease prevention, treatment management, and pulmonary rehabilitation. Utilization of protocols, guidelines, pathways, and policies driven by evidence-based medicine, expert opinion, and standards of practice. Participation in research to evaluate interventions and technology to determine their ability to improve patient outcomes. Facilitation and direction of patient rehabilitation programs and the development of disease and care management plans. Provision of patient and family education activities to promote knowledge and understanding of the disease process, medical therapy and resources available to assist in the care of the patient. Facilitation of healthcare student learning. Support a public education activities focused on the promotion of cardiopulmonary wellness and prevention that is sustainable. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm; Rotating shifts as needed. Subject to change based on needs of the facility. Telework: not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 01450F 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 Basic Requirements: 1) United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 2) English Language Proficiency: RTs/RRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38U.S.C. § 7403(f). 3) Education: Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) or its successor. 4) 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. 5) 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 from the National Board of Respiratory Care. 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: i. Have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. ii. Hold an active license and RRT credential. GS 12 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities i. Knowledge of complex pulmonary function testing and stress/exercise testing. ii. Ability to maintain a quality control program related to pulmonary function testing. iii. Ability to treat acute complications for all pulmonary function testing. iv. Skill in performing polysomnographic studies to include obtaining both physiologic and diagnostic data. v. Skill in calibrating and troubleshooting polysomnographic equipment and physiologic and diagnostic monitoring GS 13 In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): i. Ability to plan and assist in the establishment of a completely integrated respiratory care program. ii. Ability to recommend improvements based on evaluation of facility operations. iii. Ability to supervise employees. iv. Ability to manage the fiscal aspects of the functions supervised. Preferred Experience: At least 3 years of experience with VA Intubation experience Pulmonary Function Testing experience Moderate Sedation experience Experience Assisting with Bronchoscopies Experience Monitoring VAE's and criteria in units ICU experience Leadership experience Demonstrates effective communication skills and professional behavior promoting cooperation and teamwork References: VA Handbook 5005/141, Part II, Appendix G11, Registered Respiratory Therapist Qualification Standard, dated March 12, 2021. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for this occupation, see duty section for essential duties of this position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office and clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted heated and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once and sometimes stressful situations. 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.
