Speech-Language Pathologist

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.

01Basic Requirements

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: Candidates must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English at a level necessary to successfully perform the duties of this position.

Education and Experience: (1) 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, (2) A doctoral degree in speech-language pathology, communication disorders and sciences or a related field, from an accredited college or university.

02Licensure

For those grades that require licensure (GS-12 and above), the candidate must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license in a 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.

Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series that are also performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education and licensure.

For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: SLPs may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance level or changed to a lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the full performance level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.

If SLPs who are retained under this provision leave the occupation, they will lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation. SLPs initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard, must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment.

SLPs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs).

An 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 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.

03Preferred Experience

Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is 12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 11 to 12.

04Physical Requirements

Light lifting under 15 pounds, light carrying under 15 pounds, both hands required, hearing (aid permitted), emotional and mental stability, working closely with others, use of PPE/germicidal hand washing agents.

Duties, but not limited to: Performs Diagnostic Tests The candidate is responsible for independent diagnostic assessment and evaluation of inpatients and outpatients that are referred to for Speech Pathology Services without limitation as to difficulty or complexity.

The candidate will be responsible for conducting interviews with patients and appropriate family members and/or friends; selects, administers and interprets the diagnostic test necessary to detect, evaluate and treat any type of speech, language, voice 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 member of the speech pathology section may cooperate in formulating diagnostic and remedial judgments. Candidates will utilize all diagnostic and evaluative procedures common to speech pathology. In addition, he/she/shall stay abreast of all new developments in speech pathology by reading professional journals and by communicating with other professionals in his/her field.

Assesses patient condition from close observation and consultation with other members of the patient treatment team.

Develops Treatment Plans and Provides Therapy - Develops plans for a course of therapy to resolve or minimize speech-related and/or swallowing conditions Is responsible for the administration of tests of voice and speech including modal level and variation of vocal pitch and loudness; variability of the rate of vocal utterance; frequency and complexity of speech disfluency; consistency and adaptation of disfluency in sustained or repeated speaking and aural reading; phonetic analysis of speech designed to identify and evaluate patterns of misarticulation, such as distortions and omissions of sounds, as well as phonemic substitutions, including patterns of variation and speech sound articulation; and identification of phonetic and semantic factors related to this variation.

Establishes and maintains an effective therapy relationship with the patient, family and caregivers. Adjust treatment plans to patient response and indicators of progress. Performs other related duties as assigned. Participates in all section-/service-level staff meetings as well as service-level educational programs. Work Schedule:Monday-Friday, 7:45am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized