This is an open continuous announcement and applications submitted prior to April 23, 2023 will be pulled and rated for referral. Further ratings will occur every two weeks thereafter until position is filled. Once a selection has been made, no further candidates will be rated/referred unless further vacancies occur. This announcement may be canceled at any time. 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: A master's degree or its equivalent in speech-language pathology, communication disorders, or a directly related field from an accredited college or university. "Accredited" means a college or university [recognized] by a regional accreditation organization and a speech-language pathology academic program [recognized] by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Licensure: For those grades that require licensure (GS-12 and above). Must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license in a State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia. English Language Proficiency: Speech Language Pathologist must be proficient in spoken and written English. 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). All audiologists employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. 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: Such employees, may be reassigned, promoted [up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. GS-11 Education and Experience. Completion of 1 year of professional experience as an S-LP equivalent to the next lower level, [or] 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a doctoral degree, or doctoral degree in speech-language pathology, communication disorders, or a directly related field. For positions involved in research S-LP assignments involving no direct patient care, no additional education or professional experience is required beyond those identified at the GS-9 level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) identified for the assignment. {a.] Knowledge of principles and techniques used in speech pathology; [b.] Ability to evaluate and interpret data; [c.] Ability to communicate information effectively to patients and significant others; [d.] Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing; [e.] Ability to function as a constructive member of a team; [f.] Knowledge of principles and techniques in diagnosis and treatment of dysphagia; [g.] Knowledge of, and ability to develop and implement, comprehensive treatment plans. GS-12 Licensure, Education and Experience. Completion of 1 year of professional experience comparable to the next lower level and possession of a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice speech-language pathology. For positions engaged in research S-LP assignments involving no direct patient care, completion of a doctoral degree in speech-language pathology, communication disorders, or a related field is fully qualifying. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs identified for the assignment. [a.] Ability to develop coherent treatment strategies; [b.] Ability to incorporate new clinical procedures sufficient to perform clinical services independently; [c.] Ability to conduct assessments, provide treatment interventions, and provide consultation to other health care professionals; [d.] Knowledge of instrumentation used in speech-language pathology; [e.] Knowledge of principles and techniques used in alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) systems, diagnosis and treatment of dysphagia, and cognitive-communication disorders; [f.] Knowledge of principles and techniques used in voice disorders including alaryngeal and trach/ventilator-dependent patients; and [g.] Ability to perform functions associated with contemporary speech-language pathology practice. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/38, PART II, APPENDIX G30. AUDIOLOGIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD , GS-0665, dated August 24, 2010 The full performance level of this vacancy is 12. ["Salaries are based in geographical areas: Eureka, CA; $82,830 - $107,680 San Francisco, CA; Palo Alto, CA; Menlo Park, CA; Livermore, CA; San Jose, CA; Monterey, CA; Martinez, CA - $102,489 - $133,236 Honolulu, HI - $86,151 - $111,996 Las Vegas, NV - $84,437 - $109,769 Reno, NV - $110,203 - $143,265 The speech-language pathologist at this level is responsible for the following: Plan, conducts, and coordinates all aspects of diagnostic assessments and evaluations and therapeutic and rehabilitative services for speech, language, voice, fluency, cognitive, and swallowing disorders.*Independent diagnostic assessment and evaluation of cases that are referred to Speech-Language Pathology without limitation. 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 judgments; Assess patient condition from close observation and consultation with other members of the inter-disciplinary health care team. Plans, conducts, coordinating, and monitoring the effectiveness and clinical outcomes of patient-centered treatment and rehabilitative service to maximize and restore to the greatest extent possible.* 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; consistency and adaptation of dysfluency in sustained or repeated speaking and aural reading; phonetic analysis of speech designed to identify and evaluate patterns of misarticulation, such as distortions and omission of sounds. Develops an effective and comprehensive plan of care for shallowing disorders in collaboration with other care practitioners. Established and maintains an effective therapy relationship with the patient, family, and caregivers; and adjusts treatment plan to patient response and indicators of progress. Serves as a consultant to other facility personnel involving the most difficult and complex cases and is a recognized subject matter expert related to speech, language, voice, fluency, cognitive, and shallowing disorders. Serves as consultant to other facility personnel involving the most difficult and complex cases and is a recognized subject matter expert. Completes all documentation in accordance with policy. Responsible for supervising, mentoring, and precepting student trainees in speech-language pathology and maintaining liaisons with affiliated colleges and universities. Provides instruction to residents and interns who seek information related to speech-language pathology practice. Participates in research activities pertinent to speech-language pathology. May perform ancillary assignments, including program management duties on an occasional basis, where the complexity and amount of work is not substantial. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
