The incumbent serves as a professional member of the Speech Pathology Services in the Audiology and Speech Pathology Service within the Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. While duties are typically accomplished at one site, the present position's primary site is the Greater Los Angeles Medical Center. The future the primary location will be Antelope Valley, CA 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. Education. A master's degree or its equivalent in speech-language pathology, communication disorders, or a directly related field from an accredited college or university. "Accredited" means a college or university recognized by a regional accreditation organization and a speech-language pathology academic program [recognized] by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Licensure. For those grades that require licensure (GS-12 and above), the incumbent must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license in a State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia. 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). Preferred Experience: Experience in the assessment and management of dysphagia, including modified barium swallow studies and fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Education and Experience. Completion of 1 year of professional experience comparable to the next lower level and possession of a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice speech-language pathology. For positions engaged in research S-LP assignments involving no direct patient care, completion of a doctoral degree in speech-language pathology, communication disorders, or a related field is fully qualifying. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): 1. Ability to develop coherent treatment strategies 2. Ability to incorporate new clinical procedures sufficient to perform clinical services independently 3. Ability to conduct assessments, provide treatment interventions, and provide consultation to other health care professionals 4. Knowledge of instrumentation used in speech-language pathology 5. Knowledge of principles and techniques used in alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) systems, diagnosis and treatment of dysphagia, and cognitive-communication disorders 6. Knowledge of principles and techniques used in voice disorders including alaryngeal and trach/ventilator-dependent patients 7. Ability to perform functions associated with contemporary speech-language pathology practice. References: See VA Handbook 5005/39, Part II, Appendix G30. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: This position is mostly sedentary, some walking to/from patient wards and different buildings on campus, some patient positioning and equipment pushing and manipulation is involved. ["The duties and responsibilities are carried out throughout the medical center including all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the service. 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 grade level must demonstrate professional knowledge of, and skill in applying, a wide range of theories, principles, and methodologies of the practice of speech-language pathology to a wide range of populations. Conducts, plans, and coordinates all clinical and administrative aspects of a full range of services associated with contemporary speech-language pathology practice. Responsible for independent diagnostic assessment of cases without limitation as to difficulty or complexity. Expected to use instrumentation (e.g. videofluoroscopy, nasoendoscopy stroboscopy, surface electromyography, computer technology, etc.) Provide rehabilitation to individuals with voice disorders including alaryngeal and tracheostomized or ventilator-dependent patients. Provide routine counseling and guidance to each individual Veteran concerning his/her impairment. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not Authorized Remote: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
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.
