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. For those grades that require licensure (GS-12 and above), the incumbent must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license in a State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
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).
Preferred Experience: Experience in the assessment and management of dysphagia, including modified barium swallow studies and fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing.
Grade Determinations:
GS-12: In addition to the basic requirements, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. 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. For positions engaged in research S-LP assignments involving no direct patient care, completion of a doctoral degree in speech-language pathology, communication disorders, or a related field is fully qualifying. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):
1. Ability to develop coherent treatment strategies
2. Ability to incorporate new clinical procedures sufficient to perform clinical services independently
3. Ability to conduct assessments, provide treatment interventions, and provide consultation to other health care professionals
4. Knowledge of instrumentation used in speech-language pathology
5. Knowledge of principles and techniques used in alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) systems, diagnosis and treatment of dysphagia, and cognitive-communication disorders
6. Knowledge of principles and techniques used in voice disorders including alaryngeal and trach/ventilator-dependent patients
7. Ability to perform functions associated with contemporary speech-language pathology practice.
References: See VA Handbook 5005/39, Part II, Appendix G30.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.
Physical Requirements: This position is mostly sedentary, some walking to/from patient wards and different buildings on campus, some patient positioning and equipment pushing and manipulation is involved.