Clarification from the agency

This job is open to the public. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 08939F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Speech-language pathologists at this grade level are advanced practice independent licensed practitioners and must demonstrate ability to apply advanced knowledge, theories, and techniques to a full range of complex patient populations.

The following KSAs are required:
a. Advanced knowledge of normal anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology in the areas of speech,
language, voice, fluency, swallowing, and cognition;
b. Advanced skill to perform and interpret diagnostic tests to a full range of patient populations;
c. Advanced skill to provide treatment interventions including analysis of instrumental tests of
swallowing function and fitting of voice prostheses in the post-surgical management of patients with
head/neck cancer, and advanced augmentative/alternative communication technology in a full range of
patient populations;
d. Knowledge of embryology, genetics, nutrition, laboratory values, pharmacology, ethics, compliance,
diagnostic imaging, and biostatistics;
e. Advanced knowledge of, and ability to perform, functions associated with contemporary speech language
pathology scope of practice; and
f. Significant professional achievements such as continuing education, leadership, graduate-level
teaching, or scholarly works included research articles, presentations, seminar, or workshops.
g. Provides patient, family, and caregiver training and education as related, in order to implement
treatment strategies used in clinic and at home.

Directly reports to the Supervisory Therapist/Rehab Manager and both are responsible to Chief of
PM&R Service. The Speech Therapist is expected to work independently. The defined goals, priorities and
deadlines for administrative related duties are under the direct supervision of the Supervisory Therapist/Rehab Manager.

The employee performs work independently in accordance with policies, education, experience, and training. The supervisor makes assignments (patient evaluations and interventions and all related administrative tasks) by defining regulations, objectives, priorities and deadlines and assists the employee with unusual situations that do not have clear precedents.

The employee independently plans, designs, implements, and administers a full range of speech therapy
assessments, programs and educational materials for the referred patients. The work is executed in accordance with instructions, policies, previous training, and accepted practices in the occupation and as allowed by professional license and certificate and local scope of practice.

The employee seeks guidance from supervisor in unusual or complex cases. Work is evaluated for technical soundness, appropriateness, methods, and conformity to policy and requirements. Evaluation of work is frequently monitored in the orientation period. After the orientation period, work is reviewed at least quarterly for accuracy and adherence to policy.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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: 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), the incumbent must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license in a State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
  • The S-LP must maintain full, current, and unrestricted licensure/registration.
  • Non-licensed applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for S-LP licensure may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate S-LP under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405 (a) (1) (D). Failure to obtain licensure during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment. This may result in termination of employment.
  • 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.
  • A S-LP who has, or ever has had his/her speech-language pathology license revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed on a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in Chapter 3, section B, paragraph 16 of this part.
• 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 Determination: Speech-Language Pathologist, GS-13.

(1) Experience. In addition to the basic requirements at the GS-12 level, completion of one year of professional experience comparable to the next lower level.
(2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience requirements, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
(a) Knowledge of scientific principles and contemporary, evidence-based practice in differential diagnosis and treatment of speech, language, voice, swallowing and cognitive-communication disorders as it relates to a specialized clinical program.
(b) Skill in prioritizing program goals and objectives.
(c) Ability to build consensus among clinical team members, interests and points of view.
(d) Ability to gather and evaluate outcome data to determine program quality and effectiveness.
(e) Ability to serve as a resource to other health care providers regarding a specialized clinical program.

Preferred Experience: Advanced inpatient and outpatient experience and skills to perform
and interpret diagnostic tests to a full range of patient populations; advanced skill to provide treatment interventions including analysis of instrumental tests of swallowing function and fitting of voice prostheses in the post-surgical management of patients with head/neck cancer, and advanced ugmentative/alternative communication technology in a full range of patient populations; independent and skilled in treatment of dysphagia and cognitive-communication disorders; knowledge of principles and techniques used in voice disorders including alaryngeal and trach/ventilator-dependent patients to perform functions associated with contemporary speech-language pathology scope of practice.

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-13.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.