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Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply. Responsibilities This position is in the Speech Pathology Department. Duties and responsibilities are carried out throughout the medical center including all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the PM&R service. DUTIES: The VIST Coordinator has the major responsibility for the coordination of all services for visually impaired Veterans and Service members and their families through the Visual Impairment Services Team. Case management duties may include cases that are both difficult and complex both in terms of the severity of the visual impairment and the presence of complicating physical and emotional factors impinging on treatment. Operating within medical center and Blind Rehabilitation Service program policies, the Visual Impairment Service Team (VIST) Coordinator is responsible for planning, developing, implementing, directing, evaluating, and controlling the VIST program at this medical center. Using professional and administrative skills, he/she makes the Visual Impairment Service (VIS) team and other support staff aware of complex, medical, rehabilitation, social, psychological, vocational, economic and other factors which must be considered in developing a comprehensive and sensitive rehabilitation plan including referrals to Blind Rehabilitation Centers (BRC). Develops screening and procedural mechanisms, which will identify this target population within the medical center's catchment area and connect with the medical center and the community in support of program goals and objectives. The incumbent serves not only as a resource person in matters related to visual and/or arranges for the provision of appropriate treatment modalities for the purpose of enhancing the Veterans' functioning, resolving problems and meeting specific objectives established by the VIST. The incumbent operates as an experienced professional, with full responsibility for the technical accuracy of patient evaluations and the soundness of recommendations. After identifying the visually impaired and blinded Veteran population, provides professional assessment of health care and related needs and arranges for the full range of authorized health care services. Develops and maintains effective working relationships with other specialists such as physicians, psychologist, educators, rehabilitation therapists (OT, SLP, PT, Recreation Therapy), social workers, dietitians and other health care professionals in order to maintain a coordinated treatment program for those with multiple handicaps in addition to blindness. Provides assistance to the medical and allied health staff with the acquisition and replacement of low vision and sensory aids to assist in the blinded Veteran's rehabilitation and/or daily living needs. The incumbent will be primarily outpatient, however, may be consulted to see Veterans in the Community Living Center (CLC) and medical surgical units (MSU). The incumbent will work to ensure that older adults are able to age in place and participate in their communities despite visual impairment. The incumbent will engage and collaborate in teams that enable working age adults with visual impairment to acquire or continue independent living and productive employment. The incumbent manages the daily operation of the VIST program, develops policies and procedures for program operation and prepares reports and statistics for facility, VISN, and national use. The incumbent manages and controls the use of data related to the program regarding day-to-day functioning and program evaluation. The incumbent ensures the VIST Program is following VHA directives, and that care is rendered pursuant to the guidance of Clinical Practice Guidelines. Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday - Friday, 0730 - 1600 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact Susan Bringel, [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment Duties Continued: Additionally, the incumbent provides patient/family education as part of planned treatment progress regarding utilization of devices, safety, therapeutic exercises, and rehabilitation potential. Documentation of all care will be completed in accordance with local directives, guidelines, and JCAHO standards. Assists with clinical management of consults, including consideration for referral to community care for initial or ongoing care requests. Requirements: You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. 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: a. Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). b. Education and Experience. (1) 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 (2) A doctoral degree in speech-language pathology, communication disorders and sciences or a related field, from an accredited college or university. c. Licensure. Individuals must hold a full, current and unrestricted license in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth or the District of Columbia. (1) Non-licensed applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for SLP licensure may be appointed to a temporary position as a graduate SLP under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405 (c)(2). Individuals appointed as graduate SLPs may not be promoted to the GS-12 level without being fully licensed. (2) 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. (3) An SLP who has, or ever has had their speech-language pathology license revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited or issued/placed on probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in Chapter 3, section B, paragraph 16 of this part. d. Failure to Obtain Licensure. In all cases, graduate SLP must actively pursue obtaining the required licensure from the date of their appointment. The Human Resource office staff will provide the unlicensed SLP written requirement to obtain licensure, the date by which the license must be acquired and the consequences for not becoming licensed by the deadline. The written notice must be provided prior to the entrance on duty date. Failure to obtain the required credentials by the prescribed date may result in termination of employment. e. Loss of Credential. Management officials, in collaboration with HR Office staff, must immediately relieve employees of the duties and responsibilities associated with the occupation who fail to maintain the required certification, both current and in good standing, which may result in separation from employment. An SLP who has, or has ever had, their SLP license revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in Chapter 3, section B, paragraph 16 of this part. f. Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series that are also performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education and licensure. 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: (1) SLPs may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance level or changed to a lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the full performance level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. (2) If SLPs who are retained under this provision leave the occupation, they will lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation. (3) SLPs initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard, must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment. (4) SLPs 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. g. Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. h. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. i. English Language Proficiency. SLP candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 4. GRADE REQUIREMENTS. In addition to the basic requirements, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Speech-Language Pathologist, GS-12. (1) 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. (2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience requirements, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) 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. (b) Skill in administering and interpreting instrumental swallowing evaluations. (c) Ability to assess the effectiveness of clinical outcomes and adapt clinical procedures and techniques to accommodate unique patient conditions. Preferred Experience: Minimum of 2 years of clinical experience in acute, SNF, and/or long term care. Must be independent in clinical swallow evaluations and modified barium swallow studies. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/38, PART II, APPENDIX G30. SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD, GS-0665, Veterans Health Administration dated September 22, 2022. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for 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. Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.