This position is in the Speech Pathology Section of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service within the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System. The duties and responsibilities are carried out throughout the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center in Gainesville, Florida, the Lake City VA Medical Center in Lake City, Florida, The duties and responsibilities will only be carried out at the Lake City Medical Center 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). English Language Proficiency. SLP candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education and Experience-Transcripts Submitted (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-Documentation Submitted. Individuals must hold a full, current and unrestricted license in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth or the District of Columbia. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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). Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. Grade Determinations: Speech-Language Pathologist, GS-11. Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of principles and techniques in assessing and treating disorders of speech, language, cognitive-communication and swallowing. (b) Knowledge of instrumentation and technologies for assessing and treating communication and swallowing disorders. (c) Ability to adapt clinical procedures and techniques to accommodate unique patient conditions, needs and goals. Assignment. SLPs at this entry developmental grade level assess and treat patients with routine speech, language, voice, cognitive-communication and swallowing disorders following the principles of evidence-based practice and perform clinical procedures with respect to age-specific, unique patient conditions and needs. When assessing and treating patients with complex or rare speech, language, voice, cognitive communication and swallowing disorders, SLPs may require consultation with an SLP at the full performance or higher level. 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. 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. Preferred Experience: Candidates must have 1-year of Adult medical Speech Pathology related experience. Candidates should have strong evidence based knowledge and skills in cognitive-communication, swallowing, and motor speech disorders. Strongly prefer candidates with 1-year experience in Modified Barium Swallow Studies (MBSs). Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. ["Duties Include: Conducting interviews with the patients and family members/caregiver Selection and administration of screening tools to detect of speech, language, voice, fluency, cognitive, and/or swallowing disorders. Selection, administration and interpretation of a full range of standardized test for the assessment of communication disorders (cognitive, language, speech, voice, l1uency and swallowing). Assessment may include observation and consultation with other members of the inter-disciplinary health care team Completion of fluoroscopic examinations of swallow function for patients with suspected or known swallowing disorders in collaboration with the radiology service radiologists and radiology technicians. Selection and training of low and high tech cognitive and augmentative/alternative communication aids. Accurate and complete reporting and documentation of the findings to other professionals within the speech- language pathology section, PACT Team(s), and Community Living Facility Interdisciplinary Team(s). Planning, conducting, coordinating, and monitoring the effectiveness and clinical outcomes of patient-centered treatment and rehabilitative services to maximize and restore to the greatest extent possible physical and social functioning. Developing a comprehensive plan of care for patients with communication and swallowing disorders enrolled into treatment/management. The treatment plan is developed in collaboration with the patient, family/caregiver and health care practitioners and adjusted based upon functional change. Serving as a consultant to other facility personnel involving the most difficult and complex cases and a recognized subject matter expert on matters related lo speech, language voice, fluency, cognitive, and swallowing disorders. Remaining current with new developments in speech-language pathology and will maintain professional competency by reading professional journals and engaging in continuing education activities and in-service training. Reviewing policies and procedures, and complete mandatory VA in-service or training. Mentoring student trainees in speech-language pathology and maintaining liaisons with affiliated colleges and universities. Provide in-services or literature to residents, interns and allied health professionals who seek information regarding speech-language pathology practice. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am to 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Speech-Language Pathologist Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized"]
About Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
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.
