SUMMARY

The Supervisory Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) will work within the Specialty Care Line at the Houston, VA Medical Center and is responsible for supervision of the Respiratory Therapy Unit on assigned shifts. The Supervisory RT is required to work a flexible schedule, to include weekends & holidays or Monday-Friday as the need arises to maximize supervisory coverage.

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: RTs/RRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• Education: Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (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.
• 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.

GRADE REQUIREMENTS:

GS-13:

Experience, Licensure and Credential: Candidates must -

• Have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level.
• Hold an active license and RRT credential

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs:

• Ability to plan and assist in the establishment of a completely integrated respiratory care program.
• Ability to recommend improvements based on evaluation of facility operations.
• Ability to supervise employees.
• Ability to manage the fiscal aspects of the functions supervised.

Preferred Experience:

• 2 years supervisory experience
• 5 years medical/surgical intensive care experience
• 2 years closed loop ventilation management experience
• 5 years rapid response, code blue, or ED
• Current BLS/ACLS certification

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
The full performance level of this vacancy is 13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13
Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, 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/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 in 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/.

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.

IF YOU ARE RELYING ON YOUR EDUCATION TO MEET QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

Duties include (but are not limited to):

• Responsible for supervision of the Respiratory Therapy Unit on assigned shifts and is required to work a flexible schedule, to include weekends, holidays, or Monday through Friday as the need arises to maximize supervisory coverage.
• Responsible for assigning respiratory staff coverage for patient care units and providing instructions concerning the type of therapy appropriate for seriously ill patients.
• Assesses workload daily and assures proper staffing for the next tour of duty through means of changing the tour of duty of staff members, using of float, pool/intermittent staff, or overtime, respectively to maintain proper patient coverage.
• Responsible for the quality of respiratory services provided to all veterans. The supervisor makes daily rounds to each patient care unit and monitors work performed by all subordinates and takes corrective action as appropriate.
• Assists with in-service education for respiratory therapists, nurses, physicians and other allied health professionals in collaboration with and in the absence of the Assistant Chief.
• Serves as a qualified Respiratory Therapist, capable of training others and independently administering all forms of respiratory therapy including treatments of specialized complex nature as prescribed and documents therapy given and outcomes according to departmental guidelines.
• Performs personnel management responsibilities, (e.g., staffing, workman’s compensation, EEO, incentive awards, employee performance) in an effective manner assuring that rules, regulations, and policy directive are followed

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)
• Full, current and unrestricted license from a state to practice as an RRT
• Valid, current, unrestricted credential of RRT from NBRC
• Resume
• Transcrip

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 08/15/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12765274.

• 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