Supervisory Registered Respiratory Therapist

About the role

The Primary Purpose of the Position is: To supervise Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS- 0601 and Certified Respiratory Therapy Technician, GS-0640 positions on an assigned shift. The Organizational Location of the Position is: Respiratory Therapy Unit, Medical Service, VA North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS),Dallas, TX.

What you will do

• The Supervisory Respiratory Therapist serves as a first-line supervisor responsible for the administrative, clinical, and technical oversight of the Respiratory Therapy Section.
• The incumbent supervises approximately seven (7) Registered Respiratory Therapists and Certified Respiratory Therapy Technicians and ensures the delivery of high-quality respiratory care services to patients with acute and chronic cardiopulmonary conditions.
• Major Duties and Responsibilities Supervisory and Administrative Responsibilities Provides direct supervision to a staff of Registered Respiratory Therapists and Certified Respiratory Therapy Technicians.
• Plans, assigns, and reviews work; establishes priorities; and adjusts staffing and work assignments to meet patient care demands.
• Develops work schedules and implements changes to improve workflow, efficiency, and employee engagement.
• Assigns duties based on employee qualifications, workload requirements, and available resources.
• Provides technical and administrative guidance to staff regarding respiratory therapy procedures, equipment, and clinical practices.
• Coordinates onboarding activities, including training, computer access requests, and orientation for new employees.
• Develops, maintains, and tracks employee competencies, educational requirements, mandatory training, and credential renewals.
• Assists in developing educational plans and conducts training related to respiratory therapy equipment, policies, and clinical procedures.
• Provides input for performance evaluations and addresses employee performance and conduct issues.
• Assists with recruitment activities, including preparing vacancy requests, interviewing candidates, and recommending selections.
• Recommends promotions, awards, retention actions, and disciplinary measures as appropriate.
• Reviews and approves leave requests and certifies employee timecards in the absence of the Program Coordinator.
• Resolves employee concerns and grievances at the supervisory level.
• Assists with annual equipment inventory and resource management activities.
• Clinical Responsibilities Reviews patient medical records and respiratory therapy orders to ensure accuracy and appropriateness of care.
• Administers and manages advanced respiratory care modalities, including assisted and controlled mechanical ventilation.
• Provides respiratory care to critically ill patients with tracheostomies and other complex pulmonary conditions.
• Develops, implements, and monitors ventilator weaning plans.
• Performs comprehensive respiratory assessments using clinical observation, arterial blood gas analysis, chest radiographs, electrocardiograms, and other diagnostic data.
• Evaluates patient response to therapy and adjusts treatment plans based on clinical findings and established protocols.
• Collaborates with physicians and interdisciplinary team members to recommend changes in respiratory treatment and patient care plans.
• Ensures compliance with respiratory care standards, patient safety requirements, and accrediting agency guidelines.
• Serves as a clinical resource and subject matter expert for respiratory therapy staff and other healthcare professionals.
• Performs advanced respiratory therapy procedures in emergency, inpatient, and outpatient clinical settings.
• Provides emergency respiratory care and intervention for patients experiencing acute respiratory distress and other critical cardiopulmonary conditions.
• Obtains, analyzes, and interprets arterial blood gas (ABG) specimens to assess patient oxygenation, ventilation, and acid-base status and recommends appropriate therapeutic interventions.
• Ensures arterial blood gas results are accurately documented and transmitted through automated medical information systems.
• Adheres to universal precautions and infection control standards during specimen collection, handling, and disposal of biohazardous materials in accordance with Medical Center policies and procedures.
• Conducts daily quality control procedures and verifies calibration of blood gas analyzers and related respiratory therapy equipment to ensure accuracy and reliability of patient data.
• Troubleshoots equipment malfunctions and coordinates corrective actions to maintain operational readiness.
• Work Schedule: Compressed 12-hour shifts, 7:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. (1930-0800), including alternating weekends, based on the needs of the service.
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Functional Statement #: 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 (***).
• 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

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: ***

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: ***

NOTE: If your school was accredited by the U.S. Department of Education at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the U.S. Department of Education website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet. NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

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.

Documents you must provide

• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action 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 License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Other (1) Professional Certification 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.

What to expect next

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met.

After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center. NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service.

HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities.

HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities.

HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

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.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.