Speech-Language Pathologist

Summary

This position is located in the Speech Pathology Department at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System. The duties and responsibilities are carried out throughout the medical center including all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the service.

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Duties

CLINICAL

• Conduct, plan, and coordinate all clinical and administrative aspects of a full range of services associated with contemporary speech-language pathology practice to young adults (18-40 years), middle adult (41-64 years), and older adult (65 years) veterans to determine current levels of functioning. Apply knowledge and skills in a developmental setting using established concepts, principles, and methodology.
• Responsible for independent diagnostic assessment and evaluation of cases that are referred to Speech-Language Pathology without limitation as to difficulty or complexity. Responsible to conduct interviews with the patients and appropriate family members and/or friends, select, administer and interpret the diagnostic test necessary to detect and evaluate any type of speech, language, voice, fluency, cognitive, and/or swallowing disorders.
• Responsible for the adequacy of assessment and for the reporting of the findings to other professional workers with whom he/she or other members of the speech-language pathology service may cooperate in formulating diagnostic and clinical judgments; assess patient condition from close observation and consultation with other members of the inter-disciplinary health care team; and utilize all diagnostic and evaluative procedures and techniques consistent with contemporary speech-language pathology practice.
• Responsible for planning, conducting, coordinating, and monitoring the effectiveness and clinical outcomes of patient-centered treatment and rehabilitative services to maximize and restore to the greatest extent possible physical and social functioning.
• Responsible for the administration of a full range tests of speech, language, voice, fluency, and cognition. 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
• Develop an effective and comprehensive plan of care for swallowing disorders in collaboration with other health care practitioners; establish and maintain an effective therapy relationship with the patient, family and caregivers; and adjust treatment plan to patient response and indicators of progress.
• May make a visit to a patient's home or place of employment with family and/or patient as indicated, to help prepare for the patients discharge or assess suitability.
• Consistently practice infection control in all situations.
  
  

EDUCATION

• Remain current with new developments in speech-language pathology and will maintain professional competency by reading professional journals and engaging in continuing education activities and professional learning experiences and by communicating with other professionals in the profession and related professions.
• Responsible for orienting patients, medical residents, allied health professionals, community organizations, students and volunteers to the purpose and function of speech pathology.
• Responsible for supervising, mentoring, and precepting student trainees and fellows in speech-language pathology and maintaining liaisons with affiliated colleges and universities.
• Responsible for assisting in orientation and training of new staff.
• Provide patient and family education relating to each patient's functional strengths and weaknesses in areas of cognitive, speech, voice, communication & swallowing abilities.
  
  

ADMINISTRATIVE

• May perform ancillary assignments, including program management duties, where the complexity and amount of the work is not substantial.
• Actively participate in developing guidelines and protocols, new patient programs, and evaluation of existing programs.
• Participate in the collection of data for QI monitors, and outcome measures relating to the services provided by Speech Pathologist on unit assigned by the Speech Pathology Program Leadership.
• May be requested to serve on service-level committees or task forces or to represent service/section on medical center, network, or national committees.
• Responsible for tracking and turning in monthly statistics relating to patient visits and workload as requested by the Speech Pathology Program Leadership.
• Follow all applicable laws, regulations and policies regarding confidentiality, computer security and software licensing, protects hardware, software and all sensitive information (both on screen and computer printouts).
  
  

Work Schedule: To be determined, may include occasional weekends if needed.

Compressed/Flexible: May be authorized at the discretion of the supervisor

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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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.
• 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.
• 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

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

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  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: SLP candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C.
• 7403(f).
• 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 and one year of creditable experience. OR
• A doctoral degree in speech-language pathology, communication disorders and sciences or a related field, from an accredited college or university. (TRANSCRIPT WITH CONFER DATE REQUIRED)
• 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.
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  Licensure: Individuals must hold a full, current and unrestricted license in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth or the District of Columbia.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
  

GRADE DETERMINATIONS:

GS-11:

Education: None beyond the basic requirements.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

• 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.
  
  

GS-12:

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.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience requirements, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

• 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: 3 years clinical experience in a medical Speech Pathology program; Competency with FEES, Video Stroboscopy, and/or TEP management.

REFERENCE: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-12.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, walking (0-2 hours), standing (0-2 hours), crawling (0-1 hour), kneeling (0-1 hour), repeated bending (0-1 hour), near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing (aid may be permitted), and mental & emotional stability. Environmental factors include working outside & inside, working closely with others, and working alone.

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/.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

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.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

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