This position is located in the Speech Language Pathology (SLP) Section of the Rehabilitation Extended Care & Wellness Service (REC&WS) ) at the VA Northern Indiana Health Care Systems (VANIHCS), Marion IN. The duties and responsibilities are carried out throughout the medical center including all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the Service and would include coverage at both medical centers as needed. 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. 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. 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 (see paragraph 2.g.).OR (2) 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. (1) 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. (2) 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. (3) 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. 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. 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: Speech-Language Pathologist, GS-11 Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of principles and techniques in assessing and treating disorders of speech, language, cognitive-communication and swallowing. (b) Knowledge of instrumentation and technologies for assessing and treating communication and swallowing disorders. (c) Ability to adapt clinical procedures and techniques to accommodate unique patient conditions, needs and goals. Assignment. 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. Speech-Language Pathologist, 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:(a) 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.(b) Skill in administering and interpreting instrumental swallowing evaluations.(c) Ability to assess the effectiveness of clinical outcomes and adapt clinical procedures and techniques to accommodate unique patient conditions. Assignment. This is the full performance level. At this level, SLPs independently provide evidence-based assessment and treatment interventions to individuals with a wide range of speech, language, voice, cognitive-communication and swallowing disorders. Staff SLPs select, administer and interpret standardized and non-standardized assessment measures. They integrate assessment findings into a patient-centered treatment plan of care and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions by collecting and documenting treatment outcomes. SLPs may be assigned to work in a specific clinical area such as traumatic brain injury, head and neck cancer, movement disorders or spinal cord injury. They may provide clinical training experiences for trainees and students and participate in research activities. Preferred Experience: Preferred experience in evaluation and treatment of cognitive and swallowing disorders in acute care, long-term care, and/or outpatient clinic care. 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. 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). Physical Requirements: The duties of the position require periods of sitting, standing, and walking. Working with patients in the clinic and on the wards requires regular sitting, bending, and standing. Patient transport occasional requires the pushing of wheelchairs. Work in front of a computer several hours per day is required. Some stressful situations may occur when communicating with patients and their families who may have multiple physical, mental and/or psychosocial problems and needs. ["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. (1) Performs diagnostic tests. (2) The incumbent is responsible for independent diagnostic assessment and evaluation of cases that are referred for Speech Pathology Services without limitation as to difficulty or complexity. (3) The incumbent will be responsible to conduct interviews with the patients and appropriate family members and/or friends, selects, administers and interprets the diagnostic test necessary to detect and evaluate any type of speech, language, voice and/or swallowing disorders. (4) The incumbent is 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. They will utilize all diagnostic and evaluative procedures common to speech pathology. FS #92025-0 (5) The incumbent shall stay abreast of all new developments in speech pathology by reading professional journals and by communicating with other professionals in their field. (6) Assesses patient condition from close observation and consultation with other members of the patient treatment team. (7) Develops treatment plans and provides therapy onsite and through telehealth. (8) Develops plans for a course of therapy to resolve or minimize speech-related communication conditions that present serious problems to social contacts, educational development or employment opportunities. (9) 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. (10) Establishes and maintains an effective therapy relationship with the patient, family and caregivers. (11) Adjusts treatment plan to patient response and indicators of progress. (12) Performs other related clinical and administrative duties as assigned. (13) The SLP is responsible for updating training in the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) tool as directed by the RCL. Prepares reports for quality improvement and in response to survey (TJC or other applicable agencies). (14) The SLP is responsible for timely completion of progress notes, consults, encounter forms, and patient/caregiver education. The employee utilizes the VISTA/CPRS computer system for timely note documentation and encounter submission. (15) The SLP secures and maintains the work area and equipment to provide a clean, safe, and therapeutic environment and to prevent loss and misuses of equipment and supplies. (16) The SLP must demonstrate and maintain full competency in the use, pre-cleaning and/or reprocessing of reusable medical equipment. Must ensure that the appropriate Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and manufacturer's instructions are followed for any step in the use of RME (pre-cleaning, reprocessing, disinfection, sterilization, maintenance) in which the employee is involved. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 92025-0, 92026-0"]

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