Health Technician (Speech Pathology)

Primary responsibility is for patient care, coordinating clinic set up, supporting diagnostic and treatment procedures, patient charting and patient education/aural rehabilitation which do not require a full professional speech pathology education or knowledge and skills represented by speech pathology licensure. Support functions include both direct patient care and administrative duties.

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.
• Experience.
  • Six months of experience comparable to the next lower level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled. OR
• Education. Successful completion of two academic years above high school leading to an associate degree or a bachelor's degree with at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the position. OR
• Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. An example of a combination of experience/education is three months of experience comparable to the next lower level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled and one year above high school with a minimum of 6 semester hours related to the health care industry.

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:

Health Technician (Speech Pathology), GS-06

• Experience. Completion of one year of progressive experience and/or experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
  • Knowledge of anatomy of the head and neck and oral structures and functions.
  • Knowledge of medical terminology as it relates to speech-language pathology and audiology for communication, swallowing impairments and hearing impairments.
  • Knowledge of prosthetic items and communication devices often prescribed by speech-language pathology staff and assist with ordering and tracking process.
  • Ability to prepare supplies and equipment for speech, language, voice and/or swallowing evaluation and treatment.
  • Ability to document and code patient procedures.

References: VA Handbook 5005, part II, appendix G-70

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-06

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Responsibilities:

Direct patient care duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Greeting, escorting, and transporting patients to the video fluoroscopy and endoscopy rooms
• Obtain patient consent and provide patient education prior to video fluoroscopy and endoscopy swallow studies
• Patient positioning during the studies and patient assistance during fluoroscopic and/or endoscopy studies
• Patient/care giver/group education on GERD, dysphagia, and aspiration precautions (under direction from supervisor and licensed SLP)

Administrative duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Responsible for ensuring timely and accurate documentation of all interactions in the medical records and that all encounters are correctly documented using electronic medical record and computerized tracking and ordering functions
• Managing/transporting clinical and office supplies
• Tracking loaner stock inventory
• Verifying/receiving orders to ensure components are present and working correctly
• Scheduling appointments
• Packaging and mailing ASP accessories
• Responding to routine inquiries from patients
• Assisting patients/visitors requesting information
• Managing infection control/patient safety
• Maintaining clean/disinfected instrumentation/equipment/work surfaces
• Contacting SPS for reprocessing reusable medical equipment
• Completes documentation for each episode of care and notes procedures as appropriate in the patient record in preparation for co-signature by the SLP as needed.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 03655F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30, 2024. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be December 14th, 2023. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.