Summary

The Speech and Language Pathologist intermittent position is located in the Audiology and Speech Pathology Service within the Physical Medicine Rehab Service at the VA Finger Lakes Health Care Center. The duties and responsibilities are carried out by the incumbent throughout the medical centers including all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the service - including bedside involved with the service.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship
• Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.)
• Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a)
• 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
• (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
• 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: 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
• (2) 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is at the GS-12 level
• Physical Requirements: The Speech Therapist may engage in the following activities/positions/tasks as defined: Lifting/carrying up to 45 lbs
• intermittently - frequent walking - standing - sitting
• Occasional stooping - kneeling - overhead reaching - fine manipulation - pushing - and/or pulling
• In addition - occasional operation of a motor vehicle may be indicated.

Duties

• The Speech-Language Pathologist at this level plans - conducts - and coordinates all aspects of diagnostic assessments and evaluations and therapeutic and rehabilitative services for speech - language - voice - fluency - cognitive - and swallowing disorders
• The speech-language pathologist at this level conducts - plans - and coordinates all clinical and administrative aspects of a full range of services associated with contemporary speech-language pathology practice
• The incumbent is responsible for independent diagnostic assessment and evaluation of cases that are referred to Speech-Language Pathology without limitation as to difficulty or complexity
• 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 - fluency - cognitive - and/or swallowing disorders
• Work Schedule: Intermittent (The salary is based on the hours worked.) Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 10531-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized