Speech-Language Pathologist

Department of Veterans Affairs
San Antonio, Texas
Full Time

Email Address

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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.

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Overview

Accepting applications
Open & closing dates

07/10/2025 to 07/21/2025

Salary

$75,025 - $116,906 per year

Pay scale & grade

GS 11 - 12

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

San Antonio, TX 1 vacancy
Remote job

Telework eligible

Yes-as determined by the agency policy.

Travel Required

Not required

Relocation expenses reimbursed

Appointment type

Permanent

Work schedule

Full-time

Service

Excepted

Promotion potential

Job family (Series)
0665 Speech Pathology And Audiology
Supervisory status

Security clearance

Other

Drug test

Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process
Credentialing
Suitability/Fitness
Financial disclosure

Bargaining unit status

Yes

Announcement number

CAZM-112759524-25-RBW

Control number

840399400

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This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Federal employees - Competitive service

Current federal employees whose agencies follow the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's hiring rules and pay scales.

Federal employees - Excepted service

Current federal employees whose agencies have their own hiring rules, pay scales and evaluation criteria.

Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement.

Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to current permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees and VA Health Profession Trainees (HPTs), current permanent Federal employees of other agencies, and all US Citizens.

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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

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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 trial period.
Subject to background/security investigation.
Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( ). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

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. 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. 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.

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: . 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: .

NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. If your school was accredited at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

Accredited. A college or university recognized by a regional accreditation organization and a speech-language pathology academic program recognized by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association. The Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) is the only accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation to accredit entry-level audiology programs, and may be verified at www.caa.asha.org.

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.

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.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Benefits

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Review our benefits

Required Documents

As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

Resume

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

Cover Letter
DD-214/ Statement of Service
Disability Letter (Schedule A)
Disability Letter (VA)
License
Other (1)
PCS Orders
Performance Appraisal
Professional Certification
Resume
Separation Notice (RIF)
SF-15
SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
Transcript

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 07/21/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click .

To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Agency contact information

VISN 17 SSU USAS Group

Email ...

Address Audie L Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital

7400 Merton Minter Boulevard

San Antonio, TX 78229

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

Fair and Transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

Criminal history inquiries
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
Financial suitability
New employee probationary period
Privacy Act
Reasonable accommodation policy
Selective Service
Signature and false statements
Social security number request

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Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

Resume

Cover Letter
DD-214/ Statement of Service
Disability Letter (Schedule A)
Disability Letter (VA)
License
Other (1)
PCS Orders
Performance Appraisal
Professional Certification
Resume
Separation Notice (RIF)
SF-15
SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
Transcript

Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

Help

How to Apply

To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Agency contact information

VISN 17 SSU USAS Group

Email ...

Address Audie L Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital

7400 Merton Minter Boulevard

San Antonio, TX 78229

Next steps

Fair & Transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.