Speech Language Pathologist

Description:

This position is in the Speech-Language Pathology Section of the Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Service at the VA Northern California Health Care System (VANCHCS). Service delivery is in person at a clinical site, or in a veteran's home or care facility, and via telehealth. The incumbent will function as an independent staff Speech-Language Pathologist at the full performance level.

Requirements:

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:

a. Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).

b. English Language Proficiency. candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

c. 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.

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.

Accredited College or University: 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.

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:(1) 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.(2) Academic course work leading to a doctoral degree in speech-language pathology, communication disorders and sciences or a related field.

Experience is only creditable if it is both of the following:(1) Work as a professional SLP related to the position to be filled; and (2) The work is at a level comparable to speech-language pathology experience at the next lower grade level.

NOTE: You must provide a copy of your transcripts with your job application (no assumptions will be made)

d. Licensure. Individuals must hold a full, current and unrestricted license in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth or the District of Columbia.

NOTE: You must provide a copy of your licensure with your job application (no assumptions will be made)

e. Grandfathering Provision: 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).

f. Grade Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

Speech-Language Pathologist, GS-12:

(1) 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.

(2) 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. NOTE: all experience and KSA's must be clearly stated in resume (assumptions will not be made)

g. Preferred Experience: Minimum of 3 years with voice and swallow experience in both the inpatient and outpatient setting.

h. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/153, PART II, APPENDIX G30. SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD, GS-0665, Veterans Health Administration dated September 22, 2022.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12.

i. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.