Speech-Language Pathologist

Full Job Description

This Speech-Language Pathologist position is located within the Audiology and Speech Pathology Section of the Sensory & Physical Rehabilitation Service Line (SPRSL) at the VA Providence Healthcare System.

The position is full-time at 40 hours per week. 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 Language Proficiency.

Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Licensure. Individuals must hold a full, current and unrestricted license in a U.S.

state, territory, commonwealth or the District of Columbia. Education and Experience.

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 A doctoral degree in speech-language pathology, communication disorder sand sciences or a related field, from an accredited college or university.

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements, you must also meet the grade requirements to be found qualified for this position. Speech-Language Pathologist, GS-12. Experience.

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.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs).

In addition to the experience requirements, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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.

Skill in administering and interpreting instrumental swallowing evaluations.

Ability to assess the effectiveness of clinical outcomes and adapt clinical procedures and techniques to accommodate unique patient conditions.

Preferred Experience: Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) SPEAKOUT!

certification 3+ years outpatient/inpatient experience Modified Barium Swallow (MBS) experience Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: Please see VA Handbook and Directive 5019, Employee Occupational Health. Major Duties:

The duties and responsibilities are carried out throughout the medical center including all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the service on an inpatient and outpatient status.

The Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) 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.

Major duties include, but are not limited to: Conducts, plans, and coordinates all clinical and administrative aspects of a full range of services associated with contemporary speech-language pathology practice in a medical center which provides both inpatient and outpatient care; Responsible for independent diagnostic assessment and evaluation of cases that are referred to Speech-Language Pathology without limitation as to difficulty or complexity; Responsible for the adequacy of assessment and for the reporting of the findings to other professional workers with whom he/she or other members of the speech-language pathology service may cooperate in formulating diagnostic and clinical judgment; 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; Responsible for the administration of a full range tests of speech, language, voice, fluency, and cognition including modal level and variation of vocal pitch and loudness; variability of the rate of vocal utterance; frequency and complexity of speech disfluency; Develops an effective and comprehensive plan of care for swallowing disorders in collaboration with other health care practitioners; establishes and maintains an effective therapy relationship with the patient, family and caregivers; and adjusts treatment plan to patient response and indicators of progress; Provides patient care offerings both face-to-face within the clinic and virtually via VA Video Connect (VVC) to accommodate the needs of the facility and the patient, while using appropriate scheduling and coding assigned to the various types of appointments; Serves as a consultant to other facility personnel involving the most difficult and complex cases and is a recognized subject matter expert on matters related to speech, language, voice, fluency, cognitive, and swallowing disorders; Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, with occasional weekend coverage. Telework: Eligible, as determined by the agency policy (Ad-Hoc) Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 650-F03104 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action).

The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted).

In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. This position is eligible for coverage by a Bargaining Unit, but is not currently represented.

Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment.

This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay.