Speech-Language Pathologist

About the role

This announcement is open to U.S. citizens.

Responsibilities

• Uses a wide range of knowledge of, and skill in applying, theories, principles, and methodologies in the practice of speech-language pathology to a wide range of populations.
• Evaluates patients to determine nature, type, and severity of speech, language, voice, cognitive, and swallowing disorders using a full range of diagnostic tests and techniques, past, family, and social history, record review, and consultation with family and other health care practitioners.
• Develops coherent treatment strategies.
• Incorporates new clinical procedures sufficient to perform clinical services independently.
• Applies knowledge of speech-language pathology instrumentation;
• Has knowledge of principles and techniques used in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems.
• Exercises independent clinical judgment and adapts clinical procedures and techniques to accommodate age-specific and unique patient conditions, needs, and expectations.
• Consults with physicians and other health care practitioners related to diagnostic evaluation and treatment.
• Documents in the medical record: evaluates, diagnosis and clinical opinion, treatment plans, outcomes of treatment, changes in functional status, and patient/family education.
• Attends interdisciplinary team meetings; participates with other health care practitioners to address the global needs of the patient, advises on diagnosis and treatment.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Work Schedule: 7:30am-4:00pm Monday - Friday
• Telework: Not available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Qualifications

• Education and Experience: 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 a doctoral degree in speech-language pathology, communication disorders and sciences or a related field, from an accredited college or university.
• Licensure: Full, current and unrestricted license in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth or the District of Columbia.
• Experience: 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): 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.

Skills

• Knowledge of speech-language pathology instrumentation;
• Knowledge of principles and techniques used in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems;
• Independent clinical judgment and adaptability;
• Consultation with physicians and other health care practitioners;
• Documentation in the medical record;
• Interdisciplinary team meetings participation;
• Performance of other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

Pay

• Grade Determinations: Speech-Language Pathologist, GS-12

Schedule

• Work Schedule: 7:30am-4:00pm Monday - Friday
• Telework: Not available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Physical Requirements

• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019

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

• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS 12.

Physical Requirements

• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019

Eligibility for 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.