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This Health Technician position is located under the Rehabilitation and Extended Care Line (RECL). The duties and responsibilities are carried out in all inpatient and outpatient care areas involved with speech pathology. This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until May 31, 2021 or until all positions are filled. Current permanent VA employees and Federal employees from other federal agency should apply under CBST-11343479-22-HYC. 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. 1. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3.g. 2. Experience and Education: (a) 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 (b) 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 (c) 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. 3. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). GRADE DETERMINATION. Health Technician (Speech-Language Pathology) GS-07 (a) 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. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to mentor and train new HTSLPs. Ability to identify the diagnosis and dysphagia risk factors in the medical record to assist the SLP. Knowledge of safe feeding and swallowing strategies. Knowledge of linguistic parameters such as semantic, syntactic and phonological categories, to assist in creating materials for therapeutic stimuli and home programs. Ability to develop and implement the technician role for a program in a focused area of speech-language pathology. (c) Assignment. The HTSLP at this level works under direction of a licensed SLP. Under the direction of the SLP, assignments associated with this position include, but are not limited to completing communication and swallow screenings including review of medical history, imaging reports and diet orders; and generating therapeutic stimuli and home programs for complex treatments such as cognitive and aphasia treatment. This health technician may collaborate with the health care team to develop educational materials for patients and staff and processes for monitoring patient safety initiatives as outlined in established policies. Preferred Experience: Ideal applicant has previous experience providing support functions directly to Speech Language Pathology (SLP) carried out in all inpatient and outpatient care areas; has experience in troubleshooting communication device repairs or any other medical devices used by Speech pathology; has experience conducting supply inventory, restocking supplies, purchasing, and installing new equipment References: VA Handbook 5005/143, Part II Appendix G70, Health Technician (Speech-Language Pathology) Qualification Standard. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected is GS-07. Physical Requirements: Must be compliant with the following physical standards and environmental factors: Heavy lifting of 45 pounds and over; carrying moderate weight of 15-44 pounds; Straight pulling (2 hours); Pushing (2 hour); Reaching above shoulder; Both hands are required and the use of fingers; Walking (6 hour); Standing (6 hours);Crawling (2 hours); Kneeling (2 hours); Repeated bending (4 hours); Climbing (1 hour); Both legs are required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Both eyes are required; Depth perception; Ability to hear; Hearing aid permitted; Mental and emotional stability; Work around dust, electrical energy, solvents, radiant energy, vibrations; Work around intermittent excessive noise; Working closely with others; Works around electrical energy, machinery and moving parts. ["The duties of the Health Technician (Speech-Language Pathology) includes but is not limited to: Assists with speech pathology patient care, supports speech pathology diagnostic and treatment procedures, and assists with patient education. Recognizes linguistic parameters such as semantic, syntactic and phonological categories, salient characteristics of speech, language and voice, disorders to assist in creating materials for therapeutic stimuli and home programs. Applies salient characteristics of dysphagia and alaryngeal speech to assist in creating materials for therapeutic stimuli and home programs. Assists with both inpatient and outpatient speech pathology procedures including videostroboscopy, fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing, and modified barium swallow studies. Implements speech pathology equipment procedures such as setting up and the operation of Olympus endoscopy towers, C-ARM, TIMS. Identifies the underlying diagnosis and dysphagia risk factors in the medical record to assist the SLP. Supports speech pathology services during Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing, Videostroboscopy, and Modified Barium Swallow Studies by setting up, operate, and transport the equipment. Supports speech pathology services during tracheoesophageal prosthesis management procedures which includes preparation of supplies/materials, assists with patient positioning, and other clinical and technical assistance as need Administers trials as directed by the speech pathologist when patient is unable to self-feed, and other clinical and technical assistance as needed Manages speech pathology communication devices by conducting biannual inventory of loaner/demo devices and tests all devices to discard any substandard devices. Troubleshoots minor communication devices. Repairs and returns malfunctioning communication devices for service, and issue loaner communication devices as necessary. Conducts weekly supply inventory which includes discarding expired supplies, restocking supplies, checking sharps container and discarding when full, and monitoring waste bag to contact EMS for disposal as needed. Assists inpatients, outpatients, and/or family members in providing supplies both in person or via mail Supports functions that includes both direct patient care and administrative duties. Mentors and train new HTSLPs. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am -4:00pm Weekend and Holiday work as needed\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nPosition Title/Functional Statement #:Health Technician (Speech-Language Pathology)/PD000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]