Summary

The Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) at the GS-11 level provides assessment and treatment for Veterans with routine speech - language - voice - cognitive-communication - and swallowing disorders. This is an entry developmental position with noncompetitive promotion potential to GS-12 upon meeting licensure - experience - and performance requirements.

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
• English Proficiency: Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Education: Master's degree (or equivalent) in speech-language pathology - communication disorders - or a directly related field and one year of creditable experience
• or Doctoral degree in speech-language pathology - communication disorders - or related field
• Licensure: Full - current - unrestricted SLP license required for GS-12 promotion - and preferred at GS-11
• Applicants who meet all other qualifications but do not yet hold a license may be appointed temporarily as Graduate SLPs under 38 USC 7405 with required progression toward licensure
• Physical Requirements: Must meet physical requirements per VA Handbook 5019
• 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)
• Grade Determinations: GS-11 In addition to meeting the basic requirements listed above - candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of principles and techniques in assessing and treating disorders of speech - language - cognitive-communication - and swallowing
• Knowledge of instrumentation and technologies used in assessment and treatment
• Ability to adapt clinical procedures and techniques for unique patient needs and goals
• GS-12 To qualify for GS-12 (full performance level) - the SLP must: Possess one year of professional experience comparable to GS-11
• Hold a full - current - unrestricted SLP license
• Demonstrate the GS-12-level KSAs: Skill applying evidence-based diagnostic and treatment methods for adult patients across the full spectrum of communication and swallowing disorders
• Skill administering and interpreting instrumental swallowing assessments
• Ability to evaluate treatment effectiveness and adapt clinical techniques for complex clinical presentations
• Preferred Experience: At least three years of clinical experience in a medical speech-language pathology setting
• Demonstrated competency in MBS/VFSS (Modified Barium Swallow / Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study)
• Demonstrated competency in FEES (Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing)
• Demonstrated competency in TEP management (Tracheoesophageal Puncture)
• 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: Must meet physical requirements per VA Handbook 5019.

Duties

• At the GS-11 level - the SLP: Conducts evaluations and provides treatment for Veterans with routine speech - language - cognitive-communication - voice - and swallowing disorders - following principles of evidence-based practice
• Adapts clinical procedures to meet unique patient needs and goals
• Utilizes appropriate instrumentation and technologies for assessment and treatment within the scope of an entry-level assignment
• Manages documentation - patient education - treatment planning - and consult requests in accordance with VA standards
• Refers complex or atypical cases to senior SLPs or supervisors for guidance - as required at the GS-11 performance level
• Performing diagnostic evaluations including clinical swallowing assessments and standardized speech/language measures
• Providing treatment interventions consistent with plan-of-care expectations for an early-career clinician
• Maintaining accurate clinical records and participating in interdisciplinary team meetings
• This position has promotion potential to GS-12 - the full performance level for clinical SLPs
• Promotion is based on meeting regulatory requirements for licensure - experience - and demonstration of the full GS-12 knowledge - skills - and abilities (KSAs)
• At the GS-12 level - employees independently: Provide full-performance-level diagnosis and treatment for the entire range of speech - language - cognitive-communication - voice - and swallowing disorders
• Administer and interpret instrumental swallowing evaluations
• Assess treatment outcomes and modify treatment plans for complex or unique patient conditions
• Select - administer - and interpret standardized and non-standardized assessment measures
• Potentially serve as clinical trainers for students or trainees
• Work Schedule: Full time with possible Saturday coverage - based on the needs of the service & Veterans we serve
• Compressed/Flexible: Flexible Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.