This position is located in the Therapy section of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) Service, Rehab & Extended Care department of the VA Hudson Valley Health Care System. 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: 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. Grade Determinations: Speech-Language Pathologist, GS-12. (1) 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. (3) 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. 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). Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. ["The mission of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology is to optimize the functioning of Veterans. The overall objective of the Speech Language Pathologist is to optimize the ability to function through the provision of integrated, specialized services. The Speech Language Pathologist works to improve quality of life by reducing impairment, activity limitations, participation restrictions, and environmental barriers of the Veterans we serve. PERFORMS DIAGNOSTIC TESTS The Speech Language Pathologist is responsible for independent diagnostic assessment and evaluation of cases that are referred for speech language pathology without limitation as to difficulty or complexity. Is responsible for conducting interviews with the Veteran 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. Assesses patient condition from close observation and consultation with other members of the patient treatment team. MANAGES E-CONSULTS AND REFERRALS The Speech Language Pathologist 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. The Speech Language Pathologist submits recommendations into Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS). These recommendations should be clearly seen by the provider who consulted the Speech Language Pathologist, plus the treating team. The provider should get a clear notification that there is a response from the Speech Language Pathologist. The formal clinical response to any referral that goes into a CPRS note should be submitted within two business days. The Speech Language Pathologist utilizes all diagnostic and evaluative procedures common to speech pathology. In addition, they shall stay abreast of all new developments in speech pathology by reading professional journals and by communicating with other professionals in their field. DEVELOPS TREATMENT PLANS AND PROVIDES THERAPY The Speech Language Pathologist is responsible for developing 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. 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 variation, 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 Veteran, family and caregivers. Completes evaluations, weekly progress notes, recertification and discharge documentation. Conducts clinical video telehealth and video on demand visits. Adjusts treatment plan to patient response and indicators of progress. Collaborates with all disciplines to provide best patient centered treatment and care and completes all documentation accurately and timely. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Tuesday - Saturday, 8am-4:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 11804F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized"]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.
