Chief Respiratory Therapist/Detail/Temporary Promotion

Summary

The Supervisory Registered Respiratory Therapist / Chief is a respiratory care practitioner and Chief of Respiratory Care at VA West New York Healthcare System in Buffalo who has passed the registry exam administered by the National Board For Respiratory Care (NBRC) and who is employed under medical direction in the treatment, management, control, diagnostic evaluation, and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities, of the cardio/pulmonary system.

Duties

• DUTIES MAY INCLUDE HOWEVER ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING: Functions as a member of the medical team in treating and assessing the needs of individuals who may be seriously ill and provide around the clock care to individuals who otherwise would not be able to survive life-threatening conditions.
• 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 VAWNYHCS 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 Consults with affiliates and works collaboratively with the Medical Center's managers, and discipline specific functional area professional and clinical leaders to develop and enhance program opportunities and performance in support of mission objectives 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 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 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 Establishes guidelines and performance expectations for staff; observes workers performance; demonstrates and conducts work performance critiques Develops performance improvement plans, recommending personnel actions as necessary; proposes and effects disciplinary measures as appropriate to the authority delegated in this area Plans and implements an effective educational program for in-services, orientation, continuing education and other personnel training including; respiratory therapists, medical students, residents, house staff, nursing staff, patients/families/caregivers and other Medical Center personnel Formulates training and education plans for subordinates and arranges for appropriate training courses Plans instruction and participates as an instructor for the facility Responsible for ensuring all legal, regulatory, quality and safety standards for his/her areas are met, including; Joint Commission, AWE and OIG requirements, Fire Safety, Infection Control, Blood Borne Pathogens, Chemical Hazards, CPR, education documentation, patient confidentiality, employee orientation, and employee competency Develops a safety training program and encourages a culture of safety Works with logistics and contracting to set up appropriate contracts with vendors Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 7:30am – 4:00pm Telework: Ad hoc may be available at service discretion as needed.
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Functional Statement #: 21Q46-O Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.
• PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): 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.

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/.

Required Documents

Prepare the documents below before applying. Always confirm the exact requirements on the official announcement, since they vary by position:

• 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.
• 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 (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Other (1) PCS Orders 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.