Speech-Language Pathologist - Clinical Resource Hub

Summary

The VISN Rehabilitation and Extended Care (REC) Clinical Resource Hub (CRH) is a repository of clinical and administrative staff who serve Veterans across the VA Midwest Healthcare Network (VISN 23). This position is located in Fargo, North Dakota. Services provided by CRH staff may be conducted via multiple modalities including both virtual and in-person care however telehealth is the primary modality for treatment. This position may require occasional travel.

Responsibilities

The functions/duties of this position include, but are not limited to:

Functions of the Position:

Clinical:

• Ability to develop coherent treatment strategies

1. Based on results of evaluation, pertinent medical history, and the patient's objectives, the incumbent will collaboratively develop goals in conjunction with the patient.
2. The incumbent will develop and implement treatment plans designed to improve cognitive-communication processes or to compensate for cognitive-communication disability using adaptive strategies.
3. Where dysphagia or communication impairments are present, the incumbent will develop and implement treatment plans to improve swallowing and/or communication.

• Ability to incorporate new clinical procedures sufficiently to perform clinical services independently

1. Incumbent demonstrates a high degree of independence in planning and executing evaluations and treatment.
2. Participates in the development of new speech pathology services

• Ability to conduct assessments, provide treatment interventions; and provide consultation to other health care professionals

1. The incumbent will administer standardized and non-standardized measures of swallowing, communication and cognition, accurately interpreting the results of these measures.
2. Demonstrates strong communication skills in all interactions, specifically with patients, caregivers, team members and other professionals.
3. Actively collaborates and routinely shares information with the patient, medical team and families to create appropriate treatment plans, goals, and discharge plans for participants.

• Knowledge of contemporary speech-language pathology practices

1. Seeks out, interprets, and incorporates current research and practice standards to inform evidence-based practice into care provided.
2. The employment of innovative treatment techniques is used to obtain the best outcome.
3. The incumbent is responsible for professional judgments and apply standard theories, procedures, diagnostic measures, and professional practices.

• Ability to perform functions associated with contemporary speech-language pathology scope of practice.

1. Modify treatment approach for use with virtual care modalities to align with varied patient environment
2. The incumbent will collect outcome measures for veterans receiving treatment.

Education:

1. Shares knowledge and expertise about the scope of speech pathology practice and services.
2. Shares knowledge through direct consultation, mentorship, development of in-services, clinical training, and leading by example.
3. Completes educational activities and competencies to maintain state licensure and any additional certification(s) as required by the certifying/licensing agency and the VA.
4. Completes annual mandatory reviews and other education as directed by VHA
5. Develops and provides individualized clinical training experience to speech pathology trainees and graduate students.

Administrative:

1. Actively participates in program development to improve efficiency and quality of care provided to patients.
2. Participates in the development of CRH policies, procedures, quality assurance monitors, and related standards of care.
3. Attend educational and development meetings for the CRH
4. Aware of and adheres to the department/service/facility's values, mission, rules, policies and pro­cedures and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Standards of Practice and Standards of Ethics to insure quality patient care.
5. Aware of safety concerns, regulations, policies and procedures, and employs appropriate safety practices.
6. Accurate and timely documentation that follows department and professional standards of patient services including evaluation, progress, discharge, patient contacts, and patient educations.
7. Timely and accurate selection and application of the correct reimbursement codes and workload entry as supported by documentation.
8. Maintains department and professional knowledge of coding and workload entry
9. Participates in the performance appraisal process by establishing goals, reviewing progress with supervisor and preparing self-review.
10. The incumbent may serve on committees, work groups and other efforts to meet standards of care as identified by CARF, Joint Commission, department, program and/or facility.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00a to 4:30p.

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Travel Required

25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Supervisory status

No

Promotion Potential

12

Requirements Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

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: Social workers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part.
• Education Requirement:
• 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).
• OR
• Grandfathering Provision: All persons 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 or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. 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).

Preferred Experience:

• 2 years experience, preferably including both inpatient and outpatient programming.
• Preferred prior experience with telerehab/telehealth programming.
• Comfortable with technology for work flows, teaching, and care delivery.

Grade Determinations:
Minimum Requirement for GS-9: None beyond the basic requirements listed above.

Minimum Requirement for GS-11:
Education and Experience. Completion of 1 year of professional experience as an S-LP equivalent to the next lower level, [or] 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a doctoral degree, or doctoral degree in speech-language pathology, communication disorders, or a directly related field. For positions involved in research S-LP assignments involving no direct patient care, no additional education or professional experience is required beyond those identified at the GS-9 level.

In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
[a.] Knowledge of principles and techniques used in speech pathology;
[b.] Ability to evaluate and interpret data;
[c.] Ability to communicate information effectively to patients and significant others;
[d.] Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing;
[e.] Ability to function as a constructive member of a team;
[f.] Knowledge of principles and techniques in diagnosis and treatment of dysphagia;
[g.] Knowledge of, and ability to develop and implement, comprehensive treatment plans.


Minimum Requirement for GS-12:
Licensure. The incumbent must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license in a State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.

Education and Experience: Completion 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 to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
[a.] Ability to develop coherent treatment strategies;
[b.] Ability to incorporate new clinical procedures sufficient to perform clinical services independently;
[c.] Ability to conduct assessments, provide treatment interventions, and provide consultation to other health care professionals;
[d.] Knowledge of instrumentation used in speech-language pathology;
[e.] Knowledge of principles and techniques used in alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) systems, diagnosis and treatment of dysphagia, and cognitive-communication disorders;
[f.] Knowledge of principles and techniques used in voice disorders including alaryngeal and trach/ventilator-dependent patients;
[g.] Ability to perform functions associated with contemporary speech-language pathology practice.

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/39 AUGUST 24, 2010 PART II APPENDIX G30

The full performance level of this vacancy is 12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 9 to 12.

Physical Requirements: Light lifting and carrying under 15 pounds

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.