Supervisory Registered Respiratory Therapist - Assistant Chief

Veterans Health Administration; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration at Puget Sound VA Medical Center is seeking an Assistant Chief of Respiratory Care Services to oversee respiratory therapists across Respiratory Care Services, Home Oxygen Program, and Pulmonary Diagnostic Services under the Chief and Medical Director.

The role requires supervisory experience, an active RRT license, and a CoARC-accredited education program. Preference for candidates with leadership in high-acuity settings and certification in specialized areas.

Qualifications

• One year of creditable experience at GS-12 level or higher.
• Active license to practice as an RRT and RRT credential.
• Certification in functional specialties preferred (e.g., critical care, pulmonary, education, sleep medicine).
• English proficiency for direct patient care.

Responsibilities

• Supervise respiratory therapy staff in multiple programs.
• Assist in establishing an integrated respiratory care program.
• Recommend operational improvements based on data evaluation.
• Forecast resource needs and manage fiscal matters.
• Communicate effectively with employees at varying levels.

Skills

Supervisory experience

RRT licensure

Leadership

Communication skills

Education

CoARC-accredited respiratory care program

Job description

The Assistant Chief of Respiratory Care Services (RCS) serves as the full assistant to the Chief of Respiratory Care Services within the Puget Sound VA Medical Center. The incumbent will be assigned to supervise respiratory therapists working in Respiratory Care Services, Home Oxygen Program, and Pulmonary Diagnostic Services (including Pulmonary Function Testing and Bronchoscopy) under the Chief of Respiratory Care Services and the Medical Director of Respiratory Therapy.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

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.
• Loss of Licensure, Certification or Credentials. An employee in this occupation, who fails to maintain the required certifications, RRT credential or license must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in the termination of employment.
• Once credentialed, licensed or certified, RTs/RRTs must maintain a full, valid and unrestricted license, credential and certification to practice respiratory care.
• 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. § 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:

In addition to the basic requirements for employment above, all individuals referred and assigned to this occupation must meet all the qualification requirements and KSAs defined in the specific assignment as follows: Supervisory Registered Respiratory Therapist, 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.
• It is highly desirable that the candidate possess certification in one or more functional specialties.
• Hold an active license and RRT credential.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities.

• Ability to supervise employees.
• Ability to assist in establishing a completely integrated program.
• Skill in recommending improvements to operations, including new and emerging procedures based on evaluation of data.
• Ability to forecast resource needs and to manage fiscal matters.
• Skill in problem solving including conflict resolution.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying levels of background.
• Knowledge of complex and non-standard examinations, treatments, procedures and techniques.

Preferred Experience:

• 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: critical care, pulmonary, education, and sleep medicine.
• Prior supervisory experience preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years' experience at a high acuity medical center required.

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

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13.