Supervisory Registered Respiratory Therapist - Chief of Respiratory Therapy

Summary

As a RRT Chief of Respiratory Care for the Respiratory Therapy Department, make decisions affecting staff and other resources with wide latitude of control and independent judgment. Provide direction of the program services, utilization of resources and budget. Participate in the development of a department level plan for financial and personnel resources. Attend professional meetings. They collaborate with other healthcare team members to generate new ideas for quality improvement.

Duties

The following is a summary of the major essential functions of this job: Will recognize opportunity for changes to improve patient care. They will develop and implement appropriate standards of care for the respiratory care department. The Chief will establish a completely integrated program that emulates "best practice" and follows national policies. They will supervise employees and forecast resources needed to ensure department needs are met. Manages, directs, or assists in managing or directing, one or more programs to deliver health care services to veterans Assumes a high level of supervision of a large, complex section and, as necessary, provides supervision to subordinate supervisors Directly contributes to the administrative management of the health care delivery system and is the principle advisor for planning, organizing, developing, managing and evaluating the programs under their supervision Applies specialized principles and practices of health care management in leading programs Decisions are made exercising wide latitude and independent judgment Develops and implements the organizational vision that integrates program goals, strategic priorities, ICARE values, and other factors Plans the sequence of operations, recommends and implements changes in organization or work assignments to improve work, services, job satisfaction, etc. Develops statements of goals, policies, priorities and plans for the full range of department related concerns, including guidelines and policies for non-routine or complex assignments Resolves technical work problems, including those not covered by precedents or established policies Develops and reports to higher level leadership changes in budget requirements based on anticipated workload and productivity capability of the section Prepares formal requests for filling vacancies and for addition personnel to meet work requirements, reviews candidates, performs interviews and selects staff Serves as a consultant and works in collaboration with case managers, discharge coordinators, physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and ancillary staff regarding the respiratory care provided Develops policies, procedures and protocols, performance and quality standards, position descriptions and functional statements. Acts as a resource person in planning, reviewing, or revising facility policies and procedures that impact patient care. Establishes relationships with professional -and/or other health-related groups within the community. Consults with affiliates and works collaboratively with the Medical Center's managers and discipline-specific professional and clinical leaders to develop and enhance program opportunities and performance in support of mission objectives Coordinates services with other departments. Reports progress and resolution of problems in achieving goals and objectives to higher levels of management. Represents the department at interdisciplinary meetings and facility level committees and to VISN level leadership. Participates in VISN and national-level initiatives Prepares special reports and responses for the medical center leadership, VISN or central office, which may be highly sensitive, confidential, and of a complex nature. Provides oversight in developing procedures and methodologies for monitoring quality assurance and continuous improvement programs. Analyzes a wide range or processed with long-term goals using basic and advanced tools to accomplish analysis. Develops audits and selects methods for measuring quality of services. Analyzes quality and performance improvement data to assess compliance with multiple specific and technical guidelines and functions and makes recommendations for changes to ensure desired outcomes. Uses sound judgment in decision-making that focuses on meeting and improving quality customer service and the delivery of patient focused outcome-orientated health care. Implements, evaluates, and monitors a risk management program. Performs administrative and personnel management functions relative to the staff supervised and has authority to prepare and follow up on actions for most supervisory personnel functions. Establishes a master staffing plan, including numbers and skills for staff based on patient needs, staffing guidelines, staff qualifications, infection control concerns, work area geography, and human resources supply and demand. Assigns and explains work requirements relative to respiratory care for new or-changed as well as existing programs. Establishes guidelines and performance expectations for staff. Assumes other duties and responsibilities as needed or assigned Work Schedule: Full-Time Monday - Friday, 08:00am - 04:30pm Telework: Ad-hoc Telework Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 111-04 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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 identification 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). 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 and evaluation

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.

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/.

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 08/31/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13034063. 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.

Required documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: Resume 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 DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (VA) Other Document Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference. Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

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.