The Speech Pathology Assistant Chief conducts a full-range of Speech Pathology services assessing patients with complex speech, language, voice, cognitive, and swallowing disorders, adapting clinical procedures and techniques to meet the rehabilitation needs of the Veteran. In conjunction with Section Chief of Speech Pathology, this is responsible for the supervision, administrative management and direction of the Speech Language Pathology (SLP) section at American Lake within RCS.

Duties

The Speech Pathology clinic at the American Lake Division conducts evaluation and treatment of adults with cognitive communication impairments, swallowing disorders and voice disorders. It includes endoscopic swallow evaluations, videostroboscopy voice evaluations, post laryngectomy voice restoration as well as assistive technology for augmenting communication and cognition. The incumbent plans and directs the wide variety of special programs and services provided by the SLP Section, overseeing the educational programs provided, and supervising staff that may include GS-13 Speech Pathologists. Administration: Develops and implements policies and procedures to address focused clinical needs and other overall services delivered and provided within the American Lake Section of Speech Pathology. Demonstrates ability to analyze clinically appropriate data effectively to optimize quality, performance and productivity within the department. Demonstrates ability to set priorities, delegate tasks, and solve problems in order to meet multiple deadlines and identify address organizational problems. Assists Speech Pathology Section Chief with equipment needs by ordering supplies; maintains the section equipment inventory listing (EIL), initiating request to obtain new equipment. Communicates to RCS Leadership information about Speech Pathology outcomes, changes and staffing issues within the American Lake Section in conjunction with the Speech Pathology Section Chief. Maintains a close working relationship with other Speech Pathology sections in RCS and with professional, technical and management units throughout the medical center. Participates in regular service meetings and Speech Pathology committees or other meetings as appropriate. Completes a Scope of Practice on each Speech Pathologist within the American Lake Section and keep records current. Completes a competency program for staff at the American Lake Section of Speech Pathology. Serves as the Speech Pathology content expert for the American Lake Division; offering guidance and assistance to Human Resources Service as requested. Implements an effective Body Substance Isolation (BSI) program, trains employees in protective practice and establishes effective controls to prevent or minimize employee exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials. Supervision Provides supervision of key clinical and training programs, including the overall technical oversight of the Speech Pathologist whom he/she administratively supervises. Demonstrates ability to effectively supervise, direct and manage a diverse therapy staff. Demonstrates knowledge of contemporary Speech Pathology across multiple areas of practice (acute care, inpatient rehab, Community Living Center (CLC), and outpatient services) and applies this knowledge to provide clinic guidance to SLP staff at the American Lake Division. Develops performance standards and conducts performance appraisals for RCS SLP staff at the American Lake Division. Demonstrates autonomy in performing supervisory responsibilities that include, but are not limited to, assigning work to employees, monitoring workload and clinical volume, reviewing work of employees to assure accuracy and validity of submissions, assuring adequate clinic staffing, imposing disciplinary measures and monitoring clinical privileges. Provides overall clinical supervision that assures the proper coordination and delivery of care with the department and the facility. Clinical Provides direct patient care on a regularly scheduled basis throughout the work week. Direct patient care requires sufficient mental and occupational stamina. Safely, reliably, and efficiently performs required Speech Pathology examination and intervention procedures to evaluate and treat cognitive communication impairments, swallowing and voice disorders of patients across the lifespan. These include but are not limited to: complex speech, language, voice, cognitive, and swallowing disorders, endoscopic swallow evaluations, videostroboscopy voice evaluations, post laryngectomy voice restoration as well as assistive technology for augmenting communication and cognition. Assesses needs, coordinates, reviews and evaluates the delivery of Speech Pathology care at the American Lake Division (outpatient services and CLC). Monitors and evaluates therapists' evaluation, treatment and medical record documentation skills and ensures compliance with The Joint Commission and other accrediting and/or certifying entities. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 7:30 AM - 4 PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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 and Experience. A master's degree, or its equivalent, in speech-language pathology, communication disorders or a directly related field from an accredited college or university and one year of creditable experience (see paragraph 2.g.). or A doctoral degree in speech-language pathology, communication disorders and sciences or a related field, from an accredited college or university. Licensure. Individuals must hold a full, current and unrestricted license in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth or the District of Columbia. English Language Proficiency. SLP candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 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: Supervisory Speech-Language Pathologist (Assistant Chief), GS-13. Experience. In addition to the basic requirements at the GS-12 level, completion of one year of professional experience comparable to the next lower level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience requirements, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Skill in applying effective management practices to direct the work of organizational units within a service. Skill in communicating established performance benchmarks to a service or equivalent organizational department. Skill in implementing continual performance improvement activities to meet performance benchmarks. Skill in conflict resolution in dealing with a diverse range of employees. Ability to analyze data to manage workload, quality, performance and productivity within the service. Preferred Experience: Experience with VA systems such as VISTA, CPRS, etc. References:VA Handbook 5005/153 September 22, 2022 Part II Appendix G30 G30-1 [APPENDIX G30. SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD GS-0665 The full performance level of this vacancy is 13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Use of fingers; Walking, Standing, Crawling, Kneeling, Repeated Bending; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid may be permitted); Mental/emotional stability; Working Outside and inside; Working closely with others; Working alone

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 VA Puget Sound Health Care System 1660 South Columbian Way Seattle, WA 98108 US
• Name: Delilah Black
• Phone: 215-823-5800 X6491
• Email: [email protected]