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Staff Speech-Language Pathologist

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in the Audiology and Speech Pathology Service at the W.G. (Bill) Hefner VA Health Care System, Salisbury, NC. The duties and responsibilities are carried out throughout the medical center including all clinical and patient care areas involved with the service.


Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
07/20/2022 to 08/10/2022
Salary
$80,634 to - $104,828 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12
Location
Salisbury, NC
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
12
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
CBTA-11571645-22-TAB
Control number
666667600

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to U.S. Citizens. If you are an employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs or other Federal Agencies must apply to announcement 11571647.

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Duties

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The duties of the Staff Speech-Language Pathologist include, but are not limited to:

PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Uses a wide range of knowledge of, and skill in applying, a wide range theories, principles, and methodologies in the practice of speech-language pathology to a wide range of populations
  • Develops coherent treatment strategies
  • Incorporates new clinical procedures sufficient to perform clinical services independently
  • Conducts assessments, provides treatment interventions, and provides consultation to other health care professionals
  • Has knowledge of speech-language pathology instrumentation
  • Has knowledge of principles and techniques used in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems, diagnosis and treatment of dysphagia, and cognitive-communication disorders
  • Has 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
  • Exercises independent clinical judgment and adapts clinical procedures and techniques to accommodate age-specific and unique patient conditions, needs, and expectations.
  • Consults with physicians and other health care practitioners related to diagnostic evaluation and treatment.
  • Documents in the medical record: evaluates, diagnosis and clinical opinion, treatment plans, outcomes of treatment, changes in functional status, and patient/family education.
  • Attends interdisciplinary team meetings; participates with other health care practitioners to address the global needs of the patient, advises on diagnosis and treatment.
EDUCATION:
  • Provides orientation/training of medical staff.
  • Assists in orientation and training of new staff.
  • Assists in the training and supervision of students, trainees, and fellows, providing feedback on progress toward established educational goals.
  • Keeps current with theory and practice through continuing education programs, journals, textbooks, and other literature, and in-service programs.
  • Provides patient and family education including informed consent.
ADMINISTRATIVE:
  • Participates in developing guidelines and protocols, new patient programs, and evaluation of existing programs.
  • Maintains patient records and other data required by the clinic, service, and medical center.
  • Maintains, supplies, equipment and clinical areas to optimize safety and efficiency.
  • May be requested to serve on service-level committees or task forces or to represent to service/section on medical center, network, or national committees.
  • May perform ancillary assignments, including program management duties on an occasional basis, where the complexity and amount of work is not substantial.
  • Follows applicable informed consent, HIPAA rules on privacy and protecting patient.
Work Schedule: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday
Compressed/Flexible:May beAvailable
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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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.
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period.
  • Subject to background/security investigation.
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
  • 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).
  • Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

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. Must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license in a State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia. S-LP must maintain full, current, and unrestricted licensure/registration.
  • English Language Proficiency. Speech-language pathologists must be proficient in spoken and written English.
Grade requirements:

Creditable Experience:

1. Knowledge of Contemporary Professional Speech-Language Pathology Practice. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics (also referred to as "core competencies") associated with contemporary professional speech-language pathology practice. This knowledge may be evidenced by one or more of the following:
a. At least 1 year of active professional practice or its equivalent. Active professional practice means paid or non-paid employment as a professional S-LP engaged in the practice of speech-language pathology as defined by the appropriate licensing board.
b. Academic course work leading to a doctoral degree in speech-language pathology, communication disorders and sciences, or a related field

2. Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it is both of the following:
a. Work as a professional speech-language pathologist related to the position to be filled; and
b. The work is at a level comparable to speech-language pathology experience at the next lower grade level.

3. Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience as a professional speech-language pathologist is credited according to its relationship to the full-time work week. For example, a speech-language pathologist employed 20 hours a week, or on a 1/2-time basis, would receive 1 full-time workweek of credit for each 2 weeks of service.

Grade Determinations:

Staff Speech-Language Pathologist, GS-12

Licensure: Must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license in a State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.

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.

Staff Speech-Language Pathologist. Staff S-LPs at this grade level must demonstrate professional knowledge of, and skill in applying, a wide range of theories, principles, and methodologies of the practice of speech-language pathology to a wide range of populations. Individuals may perform ancillary assignments, including program management duties on an occasional basis, where the complexity and amount of work is not substantial (less than 25% of the time).

The following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) are required (GS-12):
  • Ability to develop coherent treatment strategies
  • Ability to incorporate new clinical procedures sufficient to perform clinical services independently
  • Ability to conduct assessments, provide treatment interventions, and provide consultation to other health care professionals
  • Knowledge of instrumentation used in speech-language pathology
  • Knowledge of principles and techniques used in alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) systems, diagnosis and treatment of dysphagia, and cognitive-communication disorders
  • Knowledge of principles and techniques used in voice disorders including alaryngeal and trach/ventilator-dependent patients; andg.
  • Ability to perform functions associated with contemporary speech-language pathology practice

References: VHA Handbook 5005, Part II Appendix G30, dated August 24, 2010.

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-12 to GS-12.

Physical Requirements: Pushing hand over hand, pushing, reaching above shoulders, use of fingers, both hands required, walking, standing, both eyes required. Good (near & distant vision corrected or uncorrected, ability to distinguish colors, hearing without aid. Conversation voice. Working closely with others, working around machinery with moving parts.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

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, résumé, 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.

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.

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