Clarification from the agency

Open to all US Citizens Area of Consideration-Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred based on Veterans' Preference. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Major duties include but not limited to:

Clinical
-Evaluates via consultative referral, develops, and implements appropriate l therapy treatment to address assessment of swallowing capabilities, cognitive abilities/limitation, receptive/expressive language difficulties, and/or speech intelligibility challenges. Frequency, duration and discharge planning will be addressed.
-Administers and interprets recognized tests and measurements to determine baseline level of functioning and treatment applications which will enable patients to achieve valued functional outcomes.
-Documents results per Speech-Language Pathologist professional standards, Facility guidelines and makes recommendations accordingly.
-Independently plans, coordinates, and carries out treatment program and reevaluates and adjusts treatment as appropriate.
-Has knowledge of principles and techniques used in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems.
-Demonstrates a solid understanding and skill level diagnosing and treating voice disorders including a-laryngeal and tracheostomized/ventilator dependent Veteran to perform functions associated with contemporary speech-language scope of practice.
-Provides speech language dysphagia cognitive treatments to appropriate Veterans.
-Conducts and documents PMRS screening assessments in compliance with Joint Commission Standards making recommendations for treatment to meet a wide variety of complex rehabilitation needs and responds to requests/referrals for treatment.
-Educates patient and appropriate family members in the proper application/installation/use for a specific device.???????
-Independently develops, plans, coordinates, and initiates new programs, activities, and procedures to meet needs of patients with complex problems/disabilities as well as the specific needs of the general population of patients.
-Ability to procure, fabricate, adjust, adapt and modify orthoses, splints and adaptive equipment for activities of daily living.

Education
-Attends in-service training programs, lectures to remain familiar with current occupational therapy practices.
-Attends mandatory training (CPR, Fire & Safety, Infection Control, etc.) as required by the facility and meets annual educational requirements.
-Provides orientation/training of medical staff specific to speech language pathology services.
-Assists in organizing occupational therapy student education program.
-Develops and applies standards and criteria for newly identified areas of practice in specialty area.
-Provides patient and family education.

Administration
-Participates in quality assurance review including chart reviews, peer reviews, patient care monitoring, and patient satisfaction surveys.
-Compiles necessary statistics that assist in determining program effectiveness and appropriate productivity level of occupational therapy staff.
-Maintains current patient records on attendance, progress and other pertinent information for preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual reports.
-Maintains, compiles, and reports statistics required by Section/Service for monthly, quarterly, and annual reports.
-Attends scheduled departmental meetings, multidisciplinary staff meetings, other meetings affecting patient care, and committee meetings as assigned.
-Perform other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 8:00am to 4:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #:GS12-02889F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

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 and Experience:
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.

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 Speech-Language Pathologist:

Experience: In addition to the basic requirements at the GS-12 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:
(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.

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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.

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, resume, 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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

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.

Area of Consideration-Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred based on Veterans' Preference.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• License
• Resume
• Transcript

Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.

Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• CV/Resume exceeding two pages
• Resume
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

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