Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• This speech pathologist is independently responsible for planning, organizing and conducting remedial speech/language/swallowing programs. This includes selection of patients and consultations, establishing a therapeutic relationship, leading and guiding therapy sessions. Patients treated by this speech pathologist are often difficult to develop a therapeutic relationship with since they often suffer multiple disabilities and are frequently disoriented and unable and/or unwilling to cooperate. Treatment may be complicated by psychiatric diagnoses in conjunction with a speech/language/swallowing disorder. The incumbent must be able to deal with the increased frustration experienced by severely impaired patients. The incumbent must have the knowledge to design and develop a unique individualized treatment plan for each patient he/she treats. The incumbent must have the ability to motivate seriously impaired patients with multiple disorders. The incumbent is ultimately responsible to the Therapy Director. However, this position requires that the incumbent is capable of independent action when evaluating, diagnosing, treating and counseling patients. The incumbent is responsible for keeping immediate supervisor informed but does not need direction for these duties. The Therapy Director is available for consultation. The incumbent must be able to make decisions using the service's policies and procedures as guidelines.
• Intensive counseling with treatment staff, patients and family is often required. The incumbent must be able to counsel patients and families prior to and during therapy about the speech/language/swallowing disorder, the type and severity of the loss, and the prognosis for recovery. The incumbent works on an individual basis, thus the patient sometimes confides in the speech pathologist about problems other than communication. The incumbent must know how to talk about these problems and when and to whom a problem should be addressed.
• The incumbent participates in program development for the service line and for the medical center.
• The incumbent will provide speech/language/swallowing in-service programs for service line and other medical center staff.
• The incumbent may provide consultation or actively participate as a principal investigator in research pertinent to clinical speech pathology and facilitate supervised use of Veterans Administration facilities for approved student research projects.
• The incumbent will work with students in Speech Pathology. Administrative and clinical supervision of students will be directed by the Speech Pathologist.
• The incumbent has full scope of practice in Speech Pathology. This includes diagnosis and treatment of aphasia, dysarthria, voice disorders, laryngectomy, fluency disorders, dysphagia, cognitive deficits, augmentative communication, audiometric screenings and patient/family counseling. The incumbent must possess at least a Master's degree in Speech Pathology from an accredited university, a certificate of clinical competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and a current state license to practice speech pathology. Positive evaluations of effectiveness of service delivery by peer review of clinical records are required. Service level policies and procedures will assess and monitor acquisition and maintenance of appropriate credentials.
• Examines, tests and forms an adequate clinical impression of pathological conditions of speech, voice, language and dysphagia and consistently provides appropriate treatment when required.
• Competency as a speech pathologist is demonstrated through maintenance of professional credentials including licensure, direct observation of clinical activities, and peer reviews as part of the quality management program.
• Primary coverage area is Community Living Center (inpatient skilled/rehab) and TBI outpatient.

Work Schedule: Full-time; Days. Tour of duty will be discussed during the interview
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

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.
• 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 and Experience:

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. OR,
2. A doctoral degree in speech-language pathology, communication disorders and sciences or a related field, from an accredited college or university.

• Licensure: Individuals must hold a full, current and unrestricted license in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth or the District of Columbia. Exception: 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).
• 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.
• English Language Proficiency: SLP candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

Grade Determinations:

GS-11 Speech-Language Pathologist
Education: None beyond the basic requirements.
AND
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.

GS-12 Speech-Language Pathologist
Experience: In addition to the basic requirements at the GS-11 level, completing 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.
AND
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.

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: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

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.