Summary

This position is located in the Speech Pathology Service at the Ann Arbor VA Medical Center. The duties and responsibilities are carried out throughout the medical center including all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the service. Speech-language pathologist at this level plans - conducts - and coordinates all aspects of diagnostic assessments - evaluations - therapeutic and rehabilitative services for speech - language - voice - fluency - cognitive - and swallowing disorders.

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:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• 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
• English Language Proficiency
• SLP candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• 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 - GS-11 - 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: Experience working in acute-care - outpatient and rehab settings
• Experience/skill in the evaluation and treatment of speech - language - voice - cognitive-communication - swallowing - and alaryngeal voice restoration without limitation
• Experience and skill in performing and interpreting clinical and instrumental swallow and voice assessments including modified barium swallow studies (MBSSNFSS) - fiberoptic endoscopic swallow studies (FEES) and laryngeal videostroboscopy (VSE) independently and in the company of staff medical providers - without limitations
• Experience and skill in the evaluation and management of tracheoesophageal puncture/voice prosthesis
• including stomal and device analysis - trouble shooting - device changes and product selection independently - without limitations
• Reference: VA Handbook 5005/153 - Part II - Appendix G30 For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: The work is minimally sedentary
• The incumbent will be required to do a moderate amounts of walking - standing and bending throughout the day
• They may also be required to carry various light objects and/or various portable equipment if/when clinically indicated
• Computer work that requires long periods of continued data entry may cause eye strain or muscle strain from long periods of sitting
• There may be occasional instances when the duties require pushing a patient in a wheelchair
• there is no heavy lifting of patients nor transferring of patients.

Duties

• The speech-language pathologist at this level conducts - plans - and completes all clinical and administrative aspects of a full range of services associated with contemporary speech-language pathology practice
• Responsible for independent diagnostic assessment and evaluation of patients 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 and select - administer and interpret the diagnostic tests necessary to detect and evaluate speech - language - voice - fluency - cognitive - and/or swallowing disorders which may exist
• Responsible for reporting diagnostic findings and recommendations to consulting provider - inter-disciplinary health care team member - patient and family - when applicable - and other members of speech-language pathology staff
• Responsible for planning - conducting - coordinating - and monitoring the effectiveness and clinical outcomes specific to patient-centered treatment and rehabilitative services to maximize and restore to the greatest extent possible physical and social functioning
• Responsible for the administering and interpretating a full range tests of speech - language - swallowing - cognition - fluency and voice assessments
• including modified barium swallow studies (MBSS/VFSS) - fiberoptic endoscopic swallow studies (FEES) and videostroboscopy (VSE) without limitations
• Demonstrate knowledge of tracheoesophageal puncture/voice prosthesis management
• including stomal and device analysis - trouble shooting - device changes and product delivery when appropriate
• Responsible for developing an effective and comprehensive plan of care for all speech pathology specific diagnoses in collaboration with other health care practitioners using the patient-centered treatment model
• Responsible for establishing and maintaining an effective therapy relationship with the patient - family and caregivers
• and making adjustments to treatment plans when progress is indicated or otherwise directed by the patient
• Responsible for serving as a consultant to other facility personnel when a difficult and complex cases is presented as they are recognized as a subject matter expert on matters related to speech - language voice - fluency - cognitive - and swallowing disorders
• Responsible for completing all documentation in accordance with national - regional - local and direct clinic policies
• Expected to remain current with new developments in speech-language pathology and will maintain professional competency by reading professional journals and engaging in continuing education activities and professional learning experiences and by communicating with other professionals in the profession and related professions
• Expected to attend regular staff meetings - inter-disciplinary health care team meetings and in-service trainings and review policies and procedures as directed by service chief and/or supervisory clinic staff
• May be responsible for supervising - mentoring - and precepting student trainees in speech-language pathology and maintaining liaisons with affiliated colleges and universities
• He/she may also provide instruction to residents and interns who seek information relation to speech-language pathology practice
• May asked to participate in research activities pertinent to speech-language pathology
• Although limited research is conducted in the clinical setting - the use of carefully executed procedures may be a part of a research design
• The incumbent may be requested to assist in gathering clinical research data
• May be asked perform ancillary assignments - including program management duties on an occasional basis - where the complexity and amount of the work is not substantial
• Work Schedule: Sunday-Thursday - 8:00 am- 4:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 93359-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized