Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Qualifications

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:

• a
• 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)
• b
• 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
• c
• 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
• d
• 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
• e
• 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
• f
• Grandfathering Provision
• All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series that are also performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held - including positive education and licensure
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply: (1) SLPs may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance level or changed to a lower grade within the occupation - but may not be promoted beyond the full performance level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions
• (2) If SLPs who are retained under this provision leave the occupation - they will lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation
• (3) SLPs initially grandfathered into this occupation - who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard - must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment
• (4) SLPs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed - on a temporary or permanent basis - until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
• g
• 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
• h
• Physical Requirements
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service
• i
• English Language Proficiency
• SLP candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• 4
• GRADE REQUIREMENTS
• In addition to the basic requirements - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• 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
• Preferred Experience: Minimum of 2 years of clinical experience in acute - SNF - and/or long term care
• Must be independent in clinical swallow evaluations and modified barium swallow studies
• References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/38 - PART II - APPENDIX G30
• SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD - GS-0665 - Veterans Health Administration dated September 22 - 2022
• 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.

Duties

• This position is in the Speech Pathology Department
• Duties and responsibilities are carried out throughout the medical center including all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the PM&R service
• FUNCTIONS OR SCOPE OF ASSIGNED DUTIES: Clinical- The incumbent has knowledge of the principles and techniques used in alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) systems - diagnosis and treatment of dysphagia - voice disorders including - but not limited to laryngeal and trach/ventilator-dependent patients - and cognitive-communication disorders
• The speech language pathologist has knowledge of the instrumentation needed for SLP assessment and treatment - will utilize evidence-based speech language pathology clinical practices to incorporate new clinical techniques and procedures into the development of coherent treatment strategies and services provided
• The speech language pathologist will have and demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the processes for Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) including knowledge of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which document the processes and procedures for cleaning - disinfection - sterilization - and preparation of Reusable Medical Equipment used in their clinical practice
• The incumbent will utilize pertinent developed protocols - recognize any contraindications or precautions - and modify treatment as needed for patient's changing medical condition(s)
• The incumbent will refer to other medical specialties/services as clinically indicated during ongoing assessment of patients under their care
• JCAHO standards
• Assists with clinical management of consults - including consideration for referral to community care for initial or ongoing care requests
• Educational- The incumbent self-identifies their continuing educational needs - keeps abreast of advances in the field - and ensures that they provide care in accordance with current research and contemporary speech[1]language pathology practice
• Maintains an active license to practice Speech Language Pathology
• Offers interdepartmental and intradepartmental in-services - attends - and participates in department and section in[1]services - medical center educational offerings - annual mandatory training - and professional conferences and workshops
• Assists in the assignment - supervision - and development/refinement of training programs for pre-speech pathology students - volunteers - and/or aides
• The incumbent is given the authority to develop and provide individualized clinical training experiences for - and independently provide clinical oversight of - students on clinical affiliations who are in Doctoral SLP Programs
• The incumbent will participate in research activities pertinent to speech-language pathology
• Interprets and explains speech language pathology programs to patients - residents - medical/nursing staff - allied health professionals - students - volunteers - visiting public and VASNHCS officials
• Administrative- The incumbent is responsible for completing all encounters for workload (patient care) in accordance with national and local directives and guidelines - including correct CPT and diagnosis code usage
• The incumbent ensures inventory and supplies needed for patient care are maintained and follows departmental procedures for the ordering and re-ordering of supplies
• The incumbent consistently follows all department administrative processes - including but not limited to - scheduling - patient check-in - check[1]out - prosthetic item ordering - and maintains current knowledge of all applicable directives and SOPs
• Attends PMRS and departmental staff meetings - and shares ideas and concerns regarding the Rehabilitation Department with peers and supervisor
• Participates in speech language pathology program development - which may include - but is not limited to - construct or refine speech language pathology programs - evaluation forms - consult templates - policies - protocols - and directives - including the use of system redesign principles and methods as needed
• Compiles and submits statistical reports - reviews of research - develops and supports QI indicators - and conducts QI audits related to Speech Language Pathology as requested by the Supervisor - ACOS of PMRS - and/or VASNHCS
• Carries out other job-related activities and special assignments as requested by the Supervisor - ACOS of PMRS and/or VASNHCS
• Work Schedule: Full Time - Monday - Friday - 0730 - 1600 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact Susan Bringel - susan.bringel@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required