Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Qualifications

VA Health Profession Trainees (HPT's) pending the completion of education or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. All qualified applicants pending the completion of licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected at the GS-11 level only and hired on a temporary appointment not to exceed 2 years as a Graduate Speech Language Pathologist.

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: Must be proficient in written and spoken English Education and/or Experience: must have: 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? Reference: Creditable Experience
• To be creditable - the experience must have required the use of knowledge - skills and abilities associated with the assessing - diagnosing - treating and preventing communication and swallowing disorders with contemporary professional speech-language pathology practice
• This knowledge may be evidenced by one of the following: At least one year of active professional practice or equivalent
• Active professional practice means paid or non-paid employment as a professional SLP engaged in the practice of speech-language pathology as defined by the appropriate licensing board
• Academic course work leading to a doctoral degree in speech-language pathology - communication disorders and sciences or a related field
• Licensure
• Individuals must hold a full - current and unrestricted license in a U.S. state - territory - commonwealth or the District of Columbia
• 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)
• Individuals appointed as graduate SLPs may not be promoted to the GS-12 level without being fully licensed 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 DETERMINATIONS: Speech-Language Pathologist - GS-11
• (1) Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• (2) Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition to the basic requirements - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of principles and techniques in assessing and treating disorders of speech - language - cognitive-communication and swallowing
• Knowledge of instrumentation and technologies for assessing and treating communication and swallowing disorders
• Ability to adapt clinical procedures and techniques to accommodate unique patient conditions - needs and goals
• GS-11 Assignment
• SLPs at this entry developmental grade level assess and treat patients with routine speech - language - voice - cognitive-communication and swallowing disorders following the principles of evidence-based practice and perform clinical procedures with respect to age-specific - unique patient conditions and needs
• When assessing and treating patients with complex or rare speech - language - voice - cognitive communication and swallowing disorders - SLPs may require consultation with an SLP at the full performance or higher level
• Speech-Language Pathologist - GS-12
• Experience
• In addition to the basic requirements at the GS-11 level - 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: Experience treating Dysphagia Experience working with Adult population 2 years of clinical Speech Pathology experience 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: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination.

Duties

• This announcement will remain open until this position is filled
• The first cutoff for consideration is 09/04/2025
• Additional applications will be referred as needed
• The Speech-Language Pathologist is a staff member of the Geriatrics and Extended Care service line in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS)/Audiology department at the West Texas VA Health Care System (WTVAHCS)
• The position is located in the PM&RS/Audiology department in Big Spring - Texas
• The incumbent will be required to provide Speech Pathology services in the Community Living Center (CLC) - Domiciliary - Home Health and Outpatient clinic
• The incumbent carries a patient load
• is responsible for maintaining appropriate patient record in accordance with Speech Pathology - VA - and JCO policies and standards
• The Speech-Language Pathologist: attends team training sessions or conferences
• participates in in-service education
• student education programs of various levels
• evaluates each patient's functional level - develops and implements treatment plan specific to the patients needs
• may be required to provide Speech Pathology services to all sites of care within the West Texas VA Health Care System - if needed
• provides evidence-based assessment and treatment interventions to individuals with a wide range of speech - language - voice - cognitive-communication and swallowing disorders
• administers and interprets standardized and non-standardized assessment measures
• integrates assessment findings into a patient-centered treatment plan of care and evaluates the effectiveness of interventions by collecting and documenting treatment outcomes
• SLPs may be assigned to work in a specific clinical area such as traumatic brain injury - head and neck cancer - movement disorders or spinal cord injury
• may provide clinical training experiences for trainees and students and participate in research activities - depending on level of experience and acclimation to the position
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8 AM - 4:30 PM Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact the EDRP Coordinator at VISN17EDRP2@va.gov for questions/assistance
• Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized