Summary

The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information - refer to Required Documents below. This position is located in the Speech Pathology Department at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System. The duties and responsibilities are carried out throughout the medical center including all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the service.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

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: SLP candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• 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 and one year of creditable experience
• OR A doctoral degree in speech-language pathology - communication disorders and sciences or a related field - from an accredited college or university
• (TRANSCRIPT WITH CONFER DATE REQUIRED) 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
• Licensure: Individuals must hold a full - current and unrestricted license in a U.S. state - territory - commonwealth or the District of Columbia
• GRADE DETERMINATIONS: GS-12: Experience: In addition to the basic requirements at the GS-11 level - completing one year of professional experience comparable to the next lower level 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: 3 years clinical experience in a medical Speech Pathology program
• Competency with FEES - Video Stroboscopy - and/or TEP management
• 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
• PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds) - reaching above shoulder - use of fingers - walking (0-2 hours) - standing (0-2 hours) - crawling (0-1 hour) - kneeling (0-1 hour) - repeated bending (0-1 hour) - near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4 - far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other - depth perception - ability to distinguish basic colors - hearing (aid may be permitted) - and mental & emotional stability
• Environmental factors include working outside & inside - working closely with others - and working alone.

Duties

• CLINICAL Conduct - plan - and coordinate all clinical and administrative aspects of a full range of services associated with contemporary speech-language pathology practice to young adults (18-40 years) - middle adult (41-64 years) - and older adult (65+ years) veterans to determine current levels of functioning
• Apply knowledge and skills in a developmental setting using established concepts - principles - and methodology
• Responsible for independent diagnostic assessment and evaluation of cases that are referred to Speech-Language Pathology without limitation as to difficulty or complexity
• Responsible to conduct interviews with the patients and appropriate family members and/or friends - select - administer and interpret the diagnostic test necessary to detect and evaluate any type of speech - language - voice - fluency - cognitive - and/or swallowing disorders
• 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
• and utilize all diagnostic and evaluative procedures and techniques consistent with contemporary speech-language pathology practice
• Responsible for 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
• 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 Develop an effective and comprehensive plan of care for swallowing disorders in collaboration with other health care practitioners
• establish and maintain an effective therapy relationship with the patient - family and caregivers
• and adjust treatment plan to patient response and indicators of progress
• May make a visit to a patient's home or place of employment with family and/or patient as indicated - to help prepare for the patients discharge or assess suitability
• Consistently practice infection control in all situations
• EDUCATION Remain current with new developments in speech-language pathology and will maintain professional competency by reading professional journals and engaging in continuing education activities and professional learning experiences and by communicating with other professionals in the profession and related professions
• Responsible for orienting patients - medical residents - allied health professionals - community organizations - students and volunteers to the purpose and function of speech pathology
• Responsible for supervising - mentoring - and precepting student trainees and fellows in speech-language pathology and maintaining liaisons with affiliated colleges and universities
• Responsible for assisting in orientation and training of new staff
• Provide patient and family education relating to each patient's functional strengths and weaknesses in areas of cognitive - speech - voice - communication & swallowing abilities
• ADMINISTRATIVE May perform ancillary assignments - including program management duties - where the complexity and amount of the work is not substantial
• Actively participate in developing guidelines and protocols - new patient programs - and evaluation of existing programs
• Participate in the collection of data for QI monitors - and outcome measures relating to the services provided by Speech Pathologist on unit assigned by the Speech Pathology Program Leadership
• May be requested to serve on service-level committees or task forces or to represent service/section on medical center - network - or national committees
• Responsible for tracking and turning in monthly statistics relating to patient visits and workload as requested by the Speech Pathology Program Leadership
• Follow all applicable laws - regulations and policies regarding confidentiality - computer security and software licensing - protects hardware - software and all sensitive information (both on screen and computer printouts)
• Work Schedule: To be determined - may include occasional weekends if needed
• Compressed/Flexible: May be authorized at the discretion of the supervisor 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