Lead Registered Respiratory Therapist

Summary

This position is organizationally aligned to the Respiratory Care Unit, Medicine Service, at the Clement J. Zablocki VAMC. The primary purpose oft his position is to provide basic and advanced Respiratory services to adult and geriatric patients ;however, the therapist must be knowledgeable regarding the basic treatment of all age groups. Plans, implements, and evaluates the effectiveness of respiratory care procedures.

Duties

• Major Duties: Incumbent serves as a Registered Respiratory Therapist throughout the hospital, performing duties under the scope of practice for the Respiratory Care Unit (RCU.
• Incumbent serves as the Shift coordinator of the assigned shift, assisting the Respiratory Program Manager with shift operations, training, scheduling, and assigning work to appropriate staff.
• Sets-up and monitors a variety of respiratory related equipment for acute care and long-term care patients, homecare, and diagnostic pulmonary testing.
• Assists the healthcare staff, including nursing and medical staff in determining equipment and therapeutic needs of the patients.
• Participates and assists in determining Respiratory staffing needs at CODE 4, Rapid Response and various facility events, disasters, or drills.
• Works closely with management personnel to provide optimal and appropriate staffing to ensure customer safety and care.
• Provides respiratory related in-services/training and competencies to other respiratory therapists, nurses, medical and ancillary staff as well as patient and patient caregivers as needed or assigned.
• Provides information and assists in coordinating training for the operation of respiratory equipment including the necessary cleaning and safety precautions.
• Completes work orders and provides follow up information on respiratory and pulmonary equipment to assure timely repair or performance maintenance or assessment.
• As Coordinator, assigns respiratory therapists according to their level of competence and experience.
• Education: Instruct patients and their families explaining the operation and use of respiratory equipment including treating procedures and providing reassurance and comfort.
• Works with Pulmonary Lab and Prosthetics department to provide patient assessment and appropriate interventions.
• Knowledge of respiratory pharmacology including an understanding of the various cases of respiratory drugs and their uses.
• Skill in identifying complications and interaction of drugs, to determine the effectiveness of the therapy being delivered to patients and to make recommendations to physicians regarding changes or alternatives to treatment.
• The employee must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills as identified in the Competence Assessment Checklist appropriate for the position.
• Employee must demonstrate the knowledge and skills to complete job assignments including knowledge and skills as detailed in the Age Specific Competencies checklist, and to safely and correctly operate equipment necessary to complete the duties of the position.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Work Schedule: Full Time, Variable Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Functional Statement #: 00086F 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. 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.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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 You Will Be Evaluated

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 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 (1) Resume SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript