Speech-Language Pathologist

Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. Open to current, permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees.

Major duties include, but are not limited to:

Administrative Management:

• The incumbent must have knowledge of computers, printers, VistA, transmission and the planning of additional hardware and software. Duties also include involvement in planning Automated Data Processing (ADP) functions and telephone needs within the Center. Incumbent must have knowledge in and be able to assume the responsibility for formulating and administrating policies and developing or coordinating directive material implementing these policies. Incumbent assumes the responsibility for the day-to-day SCI/D Center operation, supervision, and administration, identifying areas requiring attention and recommending course of action to the Center's Director. The incumbent will provide support to REC ICC as needed and assigned. Knowledge required of orienting/training new professional staff members to the Center and to VA procedures and policies. Incumbent must be knowledgeable regarding policy and procedural interpretations of guidelines. The incumbent is responsible for developing short and long-range plans, conducting systematic reviews, and assuring documentation and reporting of Center transactions, activities, workload, etc. Serves as the principal administrative advisor and coordinator for the programs within the SCI/D Center, and as a consultant and resource about SCI/D care, rehabilitation and programs.

Quality Management/Performance Improvement:
The incumbent is responsible for assuring the quality review of records and coordinates these activities with the Performance Improvement (PI) External Peer Review Program (ERPP) department. Actively promotes PI and EPRP in the inpatient and outpatient setting. Incumbent assumes the responsibility in the development and implementation of the SCI/D Center Quality Improvement program. Ensures through monitoring, evaluation, and appropriate assignment of reviews that quality and appropriate patient care is provided throughout the service. The incumbent reports monthly to the SCI/D Center staff on PI activities, problems identified, actions taken and follow-up.

Budgeting/Financial Management Work:

• The incumbent is a Control Point Official for all SCI/D Center control points and is responsible for implementing and maintaining several contractual agreements that provide service to our veterans and service. The incumbent is responsible for authorizing all expenditures annually. Incumbent serves as the point of contact for these arrangements and resolution of problems that may arise in carrying out these contracts. Incumbent is the certifying official for invoices presented by vendors.

Personnel Management:

• Directs the personnel management program for the SCI/D Center, performing or overseeing full range of human resources requirements. Performs the full range of personnel management and administration and acts as a liaison with the REC ICC and Human Resource Management Service concerning personnel-related matters. Provides advice and assistance to staff concerning Federal and agency personnel processes and procedures.
• Incumbent may have direct supervision responsibilities for the outpatient medical support assistant and clerical staff. The incumbent must deal effectively with Paralyzed Veterans of America local and national officials, Disabled Veterans of America (DAV) and various other civic and government agencies. The incumbent exercises proper Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) practices and promotes the EEO policy of this Hospital.

Space and Supply Management:

• The incumbent is responsible for reconciliation and administering of the Consolidated Memorandum Receipt (CMR) account for the SCI/D Center and for prompt reporting of excess equipment to Acquisition and Materiel Management Service. The incumbent is responsible for providing assistance for the procurement and maintenance of equipment and facilities. Incumbent must secure proper justification when submitting supply requisitions and is responsible for a system of documentation and control over signature authority for procurement and receipt of supplies and services.

Clinical:

• The incumbent will administer standardized and non-standardized measures of swallowing, communication and cognition, accurately interpreting the results of these measures.

Education:

• The incumbent provides education to patients and their families regarding the nature and consequences of spinal cord injury and disorders, cognitive communication difficulties, communication impairments and swallowing difficulties; as well as counseling and instruction to families on how they may support their family member in returning to home and community.

Work Schedule: 07:30 to 16:00; Monday through Friday
Telework: Telework, if approved, will be on an Ad-Hoc basis only.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• 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.
• 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.

• Licensure: Individuals must hold a full, current and unrestricted license in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth or the District of Columbia.
• English Language Proficiency: SLP candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

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-13
Experience. In addition to the basic requirements at the GS-12 level, completion of one year of professional experience comparable to the next lower level.
And
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs).
In addition to the experience requirements, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
(a) Knowledge of scientific principles and contemporary, evidence-based practice in differential diagnosis and treatment of speech, language, voice, swallowing and cognitive-communication disorders as it relates to a specialized clinical program.
(b) Skill in prioritizing program goals and objectives.
(c) Ability to build consensus among clinical team members, interests and points of view.
(d) Ability to gather and evaluate outcome data to determine program quality and effectiveness.
(e) Ability to serve as a resource to other health care providers regarding a specialized clinical program.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

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.

Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:

• Current permanent VA employees of the facility.
• All other permanent VA employees.

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.

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

• License
• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• 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
• License
• Optional KSA responses (KSAs found in job announcement under Qualifications)
• Clinical Resume/CV (Can be greater than 2 pages)
• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Next steps