Summary

The Chief of Respiratory Care Services is dedicated to advancing the mission of VA by delivering compassionate, high-quality respiratory care that meets the unique needs of Veterans served by Hines VA. This role encompasses oversight of all clinical, technical, and administrative functions within the Respiratory Care Department, including Pulmonary Function Testing, Blood Gas Laboratory, Respiratory Care Therapy, Sleep Center operations, and the Equipment Issuance Clinic.

Duties

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• Develops strategic initiatives to enhance service quality, maintain regulatory compliance, and promote patient safety and satisfaction.
• Establishes and evaluates performance standards; implements evidence-based practices; and drives continuous improvement efforts to achieve operational excellence.
• Collaborates extensively with multidisciplinary teams-physicians, nurses, ancillary staff, and administrative leaders.
• Ensures the integration of respiratory care into the holistic treatment plans and supporting positive patient outcomes.
• Serves as a trusted subject-matter expert on respiratory care modalities, providing consultation, guidance, and education throughout the hospital.
• Responsible for staff recruitment, training, professional development, and performance management, fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, and clinical competence.
• Champions innovation in respiratory technology and therapy, overseeing the selection, maintenance, and utilization of specialized equipment for both acute and chronic patient needs.
• Ensures stewardship of resources, budgetary oversight, and regulatory adherence (including privacy of PHI, PII, and VA sensitive data).
• Ensures the department operates efficiently, safely, and in full compliance with VA standards and accreditation requirements.
• Leads quality assurance programs, participates in hospital committees, and plays a vital role in preparing the department for Joint Commission reviews and other external audits.
• Any clinical duties aligned with the position.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday (7:30am - 4:00pm).

Telework: Not Available.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 10357F.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

Requirements

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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 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

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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.
• Education. Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the 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.
• 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.
• English Language Proficiency. RTs/RRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. a7 7403(f).

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 Therapist (Chief), GS-14

Experience, Licensure and Credential -

• Have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. It is highly desirable that the candidate possess certification in one or more functional specialties such as critical care, pulmonary, education and sleep medicine.
• Hold an active license and RRT credential.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities -

• Skill in implementing patient care and operations change by recognizing opportunities for improvement and analyzing data.
• Skill in the development and implementation of appropriate standards of care for respiratory care.
• Ability establish a completely integrated program that emulates "best practice" and follows national policies.
• Ability to supervise employees.
• Ability to forecast resource needs to manage fiscal matters.

Education. It is highly desirable that the candidate possess a Bachelor of Science degree from a nationally accredited college or university in respiratory care; cardiopulmonary science; or a health-related field.

Preferred Experience: Masters degree in Respiratory Therapy, Healthcare Administration, or related field; experience in a hospital or clinical setting, preferably within the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System; prior experience managing respiratory care programs and leading quality improvement initiatives; familiarity with Joint Commission, CMS, and other regulatory requirements related to respiratory care; commitment to patient-centered care principles and evidence-based practice; experience with budget management, staff scheduling, and performance evaluation; proficiency with electronic health record (EHR) systems and data analytics.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS14.

Physical Requirements: Physical demands may include repetitive body movements including the following: frequent reaching, standing, walking, and lifting of equipment and/or patients to provide patient care. This position requires extension of the hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction including above or below shoulder level, during the provision of patient care, including retrieval of needed equipment, supplies and to make contact with the patient. This position may require the maintenance of an upright position to perform duties associated with patient care.

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/.

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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.