This position is located in the Audiology & Speech Pathology Service at the San Diego VA Healthcare System. The incumbent is a staff speech-language pathologist and is responsible for independent diagnostic assessment & evaluation of cases that are referred for Speech Pathology Services. Incumbent is responsible for conducting interviews with patients; will administer and interpret the diagnostic tests to detect/evaluate any speech, language, cognitive, voice or swallowing disorder.

Duties

GENERAL DUTIES include but not limited to the following: Uses a wide range of knowledge of, and skill in applying, a wide range of theories, principles, and methodologies in the practice of speech-language pathology to a wide range of populations. Develops coherent treatment strategies. Incorporates new clinical procedures sufficient to perform clinical services independently. Conducts assessments, provides treatment interventions, and provides consultation to other health care professionals. Has knowledge and skill with speech-language pathology instrumentation to include rigid and flexible endoscopes as well as modified barium swallow equipment. Has knowledge of principles and techniques used in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems, diagnosis and treatment of Dysphagia, and cognitive-communication disorders. Has knowledge of principles and techniques used in voice disorders including alaryngeal and trach/ventilator-dependent patients to perform functions associated with contemporary speech-language pathology scope of practice. Exercises independent clinical judgment and adapts clinical procedures and techniques to accommodate age-specific and unique patient conditions, needs, and expectations. Consults with physicians and other health care practitioners related to diagnostic evaluation and treatment. Documents in the medical record: evaluates, diagnosis and clinical opinion, treatment plans, outcomes of treatment, changes in functional status, and patient/family education. Attends interdisciplinary team meetings; participates with other health care practitioners to address the global needs of the patient, advises on diagnosis and treatment. Incumbent will have and demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the processes for Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) including knowledge of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which document the processes and procedures for cleaning, disinfection, sterilization and preparation of Reusable Medical Equipment. Provides orientation/training of medical staff. Assists in orientation and training of new staff. Keeps current with theory and practice through continuing education programs, journals, textbooks, and other literature, and in-service programs. Provides patient and family education including informed consent. Responsible to train and educate Speech Pathology Trainees/Clinical Fellows and serve as direct supervisor. Participates in developing guidelines and protocols, new patient programs, and evaluation of existing programs. Actively participates in performance improvement projects. Maintains patient records and other data required by the clinic, service, and medical center. May be requested to serve on service-level committees or task forces or to represent to service/section on medical center, network, or national committees. Maintains, supplies, equipment and clinical areas to optimize safety and efficiency to include proper cleaning and compliance with ASPS Reusable Medical Equipment and Infection Control practices and policies. May perform ancillary assignments, including program management duties on an occasional basis, where the complexity and amount of work is not substantial. Follows applicable informed consent, HIPAA rules on privacy and protecting patient rights. Work Schedule: 8:00-4:30 Tuesday - Saturday Telework: Eligible for telework rotation as permitted by agency policy. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized. May be offered to highly qualified candidate. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) Education. A master's degree or its equivalent in speech-language pathology, communication disorders, or a directly related field from an accredited college or university. "Accredited" means a college or university [recognized] by a regional accreditation organization and a speech-language pathology academic program [recognized] by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American SpeechLanguage-Hearing Association (ASHA). Licensure. For those grades that require licensure (GS-12 and above), the incumbent must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license in a State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia. The S-LP must maintain full, current, and unrestricted licensure/registration. Failure to obtain licensure during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment. This may result in termination of employment. [Individuals appointed as graduate S-LPs may not be promoted to the GS-12 level without being fully licensed. (3) The requirement for licensure may be waived by the Under Secretary for Health or designee in VHA Central Office for individuals engaged in research or academic assignments involving no direct patient care duties, in accordance with current activities. A S-LP who has, or ever has had his/her speech-language pathology license revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed on a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in Chapter 3, section B, paragraph 16 of this part. Loss of Credential. An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain licensure/certification/ registration within the required time frame, or who fails to maintain the required licensure/certification/ registration must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. e.Grandfathering Provision. All S-LPs employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Such employees may be reassigned, promoted, up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. If an S-LP who was retained] under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation English Language Proficiency. Speech-language pathologists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Grade Requirements: (a) Licensure. [T]he incumbent must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license in a State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia. (b) Education and Experience. [C]ompletion of 1 year of professional experience comparable to the next lower level and possession of a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice speech-language pathology. For positions engaged in research S-LP assignments involving no direct patient care, completion of a doctoral degree in speech-language pathology, communication disorders, or a related field is fully qualifying. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the [KSAs identified for the assignment]. 1. Staff Speech-Language Pathologist. Staff S-LPs at this grade level must demonstrate professional knowledge of, and skill in applying, a wide range of theories, principles, and methodologies of the practice of speech-language pathology to a wide range of populations. [Individuals may perform ancillary assignments, including program management duties on an occasional basis, where the complexity and amount of work is not substantial (less than 25% of the time). The following KSAs are required: Ability to develop coherent treatment strategies Ability to incorporate new clinical procedures sufficient to perform clinical services independently Ability to conduct assessments, provide treatment interventions, and provide consultation to other health care professionals Knowledge of instrumentation used in speech-language pathology Knowledge of principles and techniques used in alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) systems, diagnosis and treatment of dysphagia, and cognitive-communication disorders Knowledge of principles and techniques used in voice disorders including alaryngeal and trach/ventilator-dependent patients Ability to perform functions associated with contemporary speech-language pathology practice Preferred experience includes: Experience with Trans-Esophageal Puncture/Prosthesis, Dysphagia to include Modified Barium Swallow Study and Flexible Endoscopic Examination of Swallow, voice evaluations to include stroboscopy, trainee supervision. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address San Diego VA Medical Center 3350 La Jolla Village Drive San Diego, CA 92161 US
• Name: Jennifer Lord
• Phone: 319-509-5774
• Email: [email protected]