Lead Registered Respiratory Therapist

Lead Registered Respiratory Therapist

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Miami, Florida

Salary Range: $102950 - $133838 Per Year

Job Summary: The Miami VA Healthcare System's Surgery Service is seeking an experienced and dynamic Lead Registered Respiratory Therapist. Ideal applicants are those who want to contribute to the achievement of quality care standards, as well as the growth and development of a VA academic hospital program. You must be an excellent communicator and team player who is adaptable to the needs of a growing medical center.

Major Duties:

• The Lead Registered Respiratory Therapist is responsible for their individual program within the service and serves as a mentor to other staff. The services are performed in accordance with the guidelines established by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC), American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), and policies and procedures of Miami Veterans' Hospital. The protocol and procedures are established for the treatment, management, evaluation and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities associated with the cardiopulmonary system. Duties include, but are not limited to: Assists in keeping Section Chief, Assistant Chief and Respiratory Care Services abreast of changes and improvements. Assures information exchange is open with colleagues though departmental meetings, e-mail, in-services and discussions. Maintains departmental standards, policies, SOPs, and performance reviews in alignment with Joint Commission (T JC), VHA, and medical center requirements; ensures appropriate inventory and supply ordering through Logistics. Provides comprehensive support for the STAT Blood Gas Laboratory and related clinical areas (ICU, wards, ER), including QA checks, cleaning, calibration, and evaluation of respiratory equipment; maintains controls and documentation for blood gas/chemistry analyzers and Co-oximetry. Serves as mentor and preceptor, orienting new respiratory therapy staff and selected personnel; delivers formal in-services and just-in-time training for therapists and nursing teams on equipment, therapies, medications, infection control, and safety Functions as the COPD Coordinator by implementing and facilitating a patient-centered seamless transition to the home or other post-discharge setting for chronic lung disease patients. Represents Respiratory Therapy in interdisciplinary meetings and team rounds (e.g., daily work rounds, grand rounds, monthly Surgical Service meetings), collaborating on complex clinical approaches and patient management. Collaborate on hospital discharge planning with primary medical team, case management, and social work. Ensures work is distributed among employees in accordance with established workflow or job specialization. Assures timely accomplishment of the assigned workload, assess the status, quality and progress of work and make day-to-day adjustments in accordance with established priorities. Provides clinical practice guidance for other respiratory staff and assist with technical work problems not covered by precedents or established policies for non-routine or complex procedures. Assist RRTs in determining treatment options for complex patients. Work Schedule: Monday though Friday 08:00 am to 4:30 pm (Note: Work schedules are determined and approved by the supervisor. The incumbent may be required to work various shifts on a permanent or temporary basis based on facility/patient care needs). Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 30233F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized.

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: Registered Respiratory Therapist's appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). 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: Must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a valid, current, unrestricted credential of Registered Respiratory Therapist. 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 for the Lead Registered Respiratory Therapist, GS-12. Candidates must possess: Have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. Registered Respiratory Therapist at this grade level in this assignment have experience demonstrating advanced practice skills and clinical judgment across many areas of respiratory care both inpatient and outpatient. Knowledge, skills, and abilities at the GS-11 grade level include: Ability to collaboratively consult with physicians and other healthcare professionals for complex respiratory care to develop care plans to provide favorable patient outcomes. Skill in evaluating the efficacies of therapeutic modalities. Skill in performing advanced airway and ventilation management. Hold an active license and Registered Respiratory Therapist credential. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Ability to assign personnel and tasks to be accomplished in a manner that assures completion of the workload. Ability to oversee and direct clinical guidance in a manner that assures completion of the workload. Ability to communicate with individuals of varying backgrounds to solve problems and provide conflict resolution. Ability to recommend uncommon or atypical interventions. Ability to recommend ways to improve patient care and operations through independent research and evaluation of new equipment and therapies. 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-12 Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.

How to Apply: 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 03/23/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12898635. 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. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Application Deadline: 2026-03-23