Speech-Language Pathologist

Summary

This position is located in the Audiology and Speech Pathology Service at the Audie L. Murphy Veterans Affairs Hospital - South Texas Veterans Affairs Health Care System (STVHCS). The duties and responsibilities are carried out throughout the health care system including all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the service. The incumbent performs diagnostic assessment and establishes a plan of care for routine cases that are referred to Speech-Language Pathology.

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
• Education: A) 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 B) A doctoral degree in speech-language pathology - communication disorders and sciences or a related field - from an accredited college or university
• 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. A 7405 (c)(2)
• Individuals appointed as graduate SLPs may not be promoted to the GS-12 level without being fully licensed
• 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 Physical Requirements
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service
• English Language Proficiency
• SLP candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. A 7403(f)
• 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: GS-11 Speech-Language Pathologist: Education and Experience
• None beyond the basic requirements
• Assignment at this grade level includes: SLPs at this entry developmental grade level assess and treat patients with routine speech - language - voice - cognitive-communication and swallowing disorders following the principles of evidence-based practice and perform clinical procedures with respect to age-specific - unique patient conditions and needs
• When assessing and treating patients with complex or rare speech - language - voice - cognitive communication and swallowing disorders - SLPs may require consultation with an SLP at the full performance or higher level And KSAs
• In addition to the basic requirements - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs in their resume: 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 Speech-Language Pathologist: Experience
• In addition to the basic requirements at the GS-12 level - selectee must have completed one year of professional experience comparable to the next lower level (GS-11) and possessing a full - current and unrestricted license to practice speech-language pathology
• And KSAs
• In addition to the basic requirements - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs in their resume: 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: Master's Degree in Speech-language Pathology
• Full - current and unrestricted license to practice speech-language pathology
• Experience with VA systems.
• Experience in the evaluation and treatment of communication and swallowing disorders in patients with history of head and neck cancer
• Experience in post-laryngectomy voice restoration to include care for tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis
• Experience with instrumented evaluations of swallow to include fluoroscopic and endoscopic exams
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit
• 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: Light lifting and carrying under 15 pounds
• reaching above shoulder
• repeating bending and pulling for 1/2 hour
• both hands required
• use of fingers
• walking or sitting up to 2 hours
• ability to distinguish basic colors
• Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4 depth perception
• ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other
• ability to distinguish shades of colors and hearing (aid may be permitted)
• Mental & Emotional Stability
• exposure to TB and other diseases.

Duties

• The incumbent performs diagnostic assessment and establishes a plan of care for routine and complex cases that are referred to Speech-Language Pathology to include - but not limited to: - Language disorders - Motor speech disorders - Voice disorders - Cognitive-communication disorders - Swallowing disorders In carrying out the duties and responsibilities of this position - the incumbent: Attends interdisciplinary team meetings as needed and collaborates with and reports diagnostic assessment findings to other professional workers with whom he/she or other members of the speech-language pathology service may cooperate in formulating diagnostic - clinical judgements and treatment plans
• Documents results of diagnostic assessments - implementation of plan of care - patient/family education and therapy outcomes in the medical record in an accurate and timely manner per facility policy
• Assist in the supervision and evaluation of students and clinical fellows
• The incumbent may also provide instruction to residents - interns - and trainees of other health care disciplines in aspects of speech-language pathology
• Exercises independent clinical judgment and adapts clinical procedures and techniques to accommodate age-specific and unique patient conditions - needs - and expectations
• May participate in travel off-campus for therapy treatments and/or home assessments to meet community re-integration needs
• Therapist may provide transportation for veteran in government vehicle to facilitate community re-integration therapy treatment and/or home assessment
• Participates in the planning - execution and preparation for publication in acceptable professional journals the results of a research or clinical investigation in which he/she may have been an integral part
• Participates in developing guidelines and protocols - new patient programs - and evaluation of existing programs
• Maintains patient records and other data required by the clinic - service - and medical center
• Assists in maintaining supplies - equipment and clinical areas to optimize safety and efficiency
• Incumbent will identify the customer's/patient's situation properly and performs the tasks required to resolve the customer's/patient's problem accurately and in a timely manner
• Follows-up - as necessary - to ensure a satisfactory resolution
• May perform ancillary assignments - where the complexity and amount of work is in accordance with the developmental position Follows applicable informed consent - HIPAA rules on privacy and protecting patient rights
• Incumbent will provide verbal and/or written information that is thorough and correct - using clear and precise communication methods to ensure that customers understand
• The information is usually provided in a timely manner
• Relationships with supervisors - co-workers - and others within the organization must be consistently courteous and cooperative in nature and - overall - contribute to the effective operation of the office (performance must demonstrate the ability to adjust to change or work pressure in a pleasant manner - handle differences of opinion in a businesslike fashion - follow instructions consistently and to function as a team member - helping the group effort where possible.) Willingly accepts duties and responsibilities and offers assistance to co-workers
• Promotes pride and good will in self and the STVHCS - both at work and in the community
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8 AM-4:30 PM Telework: Ad-Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized