This position is located in the Audiology & Speech Pathology Service at San Diego VA Healthcare System. The incumbent is a staff speech-language pathologist & responsible for independent diagnostic assessment & evaluation of cases that are referred for services without limitation to difficulty or complexity. Incumbent will conduct 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 OR 8:00-4:30 Monday - Friday Telework: Telework available 1 day per month per agency policy (must be fully trained and successful in position prior to implementation of telework rotation). 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: 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. Speech-language pathologists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, 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 Speech Language-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. 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. 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: To Qualify for the GS 11, Candidates must have the following: Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following: Knowledge of principles and techniques in assessing and treating disorders of speech, language, cognitive-communication and swallowing. Knowledge of instrumentation and technologies for assessing and treating communication and swallowing disorders. Ability to adapt clinical procedures and techniques to accommodate unique patient conditions, needs and goals. To Qualify for the GS 12, Candidates must have the following: Experience. In addition to the basic requirements at the GS-11 level, completing one year of professional experience comparable to the next lower level and possessing a full, current and unrestricted license to practice speech-language pathology. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following: Skill in applying principles and techniques of diagnosis and treatment associated with contemporary speech-language pathology following evidence-based practice for adult patients exhibiting the full range of speech to the full range of patient populations. Skill in administering and interpreting instrumental swallowing evaluations. Ability to assess the effectiveness of clinical outcomes and adapt clinical procedures and techniques to accommodate unique patient conditions. Preferred Experience: Experience in Medical Speech Pathology working with adult patient population, Trans-Esophageal Puncture/Prosthesis, Dysphagia to include Modified Barium Swallow Study and Flexible Endoscopic Examination of Swallow, Stroboscopy, trainee supervision. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

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]