Summary
The Eastern Colorado Health Care System VA Hospital is located on the Fitzsimmons Campus in Aurora, Colorado and is currently recruiting for one GS 13 Speech-Language Pathologist.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
This is an INTERNAL job announcement open to current, permanent Veterans Health Administration employees & current or former Health Professional Trainees ONLY.
Current, permanent federal employees, Veterans and the public MUST apply to the EXTERNAL job announcement number CBSU-12563074-24-JMW.
Duties
Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf
Speech-Language Pathologist duties include, but are not limited to the following:
In addition to duties as a speech pathology service provider, the incumbent has a special clinical program responsibilities for the TBI/Polytrauma Program. The incumbent serves as a subject matter expert for Polytrauma for the Speech Pathology section and dedicates no less than 25% of all clinical contact to this pursuit.
Applies advanced theories and techniques to patients with polytrauma, provides professional advice and counseling, and provides consultation in the assessment and treatment of individuals with disorders of communication, swallowing and cognition resulting from acquired brain injury;
Manages complex cases involving patients with multiple physical, sensory, motor, cognitive, or other issues that complicate communication or swallowing status, and involve multiple clinical management options, challenging clinical decision making, complex data, and high risk of complications, morbidity, or mortality;
Exercises independent clinical judgment and adapts clinical procedures and techniques to accommodate age-specific and unique patient conditions, needs, and expectations;
Evaluates patients to determine nature, type, and severity of speech, language, voice, cognitive, and swallowing disorders using a full range of diagnostic tests and techniques, past, family, and social history, record review, and consultation with family and other health care practitioners;
Plans, coordinates, and implements a full range of patient-focused treatment services designed to optimize function;
Safely and effectively uses equipment required for patient care;
Consults with physicians and other health care practitioners related to diagnostic evaluation and treatment;
Documents in the medical record: evaluation results, diagnosis and clinical opinion, treatment plans, outcomes of treatment, changes in functional status, and patient/family education
Attends interdisciplinary team meetings; participates with other health care practitioners to address the global needs of the patient, advises on diagnosis and treatment;
Adheres to infection control practices while using equipment and providing patient care;
Coordinates continuing education services for staff speech pathologists, allied health professionals, residents and medical staff with regard to Speech Pathology and TBI/Polytrauma, including outreach regionally and nationally;
Develops virtual care modalities for the delivery of speech pathology services within the TBI/Polytrauma Program;
Coordinates of all performance improvement activities related to speech pathology services within the TBI/Polytrauma Program;
Collects and analyses of outcomes data and patient satisfaction for the TBI/Polytrauma Program;
Monitors clinical innovations in TBI and Polytrauma;
Participation in collaborative research within the TBI/Polytrauma programs.
Articulates and communicates goals, objectives, and focused initiatives to an inter-disciplinary team, specialized clinical program, or subunit, as well as guiding the team members on work methods, practices, and procedures;
Shows potential ability to monitor and evaluate the work of an inter-disciplinary team, specialized clinical program, or subunit, and to make adjustments in procedures or practices to accomplish program goals;
Serves as coach and facilitator in coordinating program or team initiatives and consensus building activities among clinical team members with widely divergent backgrounds, interests, and points of view.
Participates educational activities, completes unit based in-services, & mandatory educational activities in a self-directed manner by deadlines
Demonstrates positive, effective communication skills & professional behavior that promote cooperation & teamwork
Practices good customer customer service and demonstrates VA I-CARE values
Participates in unit-based quality of care performance improvement activities, unit based performance improvement measures & results
Identifies problem areas by practicing evidence-based practices on unit
Perform other duties as assigned.
Work Schedule: 8:00-4:30pm, Monday-Friday
Compressed/Flexible:May be available for the highly qualified applicant
Telework: May be available for the highly qualified applicant
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: PD554-58148-O
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Requirements
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.
- You may be required to serve a probationary period.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
- Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
Qualifications
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:
- US Citizenship. Non-citizens may only be appointed when you can't recruit qualified citizens
- English Language Proficiency. Must be able to speak & write English
- 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.
Licensure. Individuals must hold a full, current and unrestricted license in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth or the District of Columbia.
Loss of Credential. Management officials, in collaboration with HR Office staff, must immediately relieve employees of the duties and responsibilities associated with the occupation who fail to maintain the required certification, both current and in good standing, which may result in separation from employment. An SLP who has, or has ever had, their SLP license revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in Chapter 3, section B, paragraph 16 of this part.
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.
Grade Determination requirements:
GS-13-Clinical Specialist
Experience/Education. 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 completion of one or more of the following:
Board certification such as BRS-S Disorders or BC-ANCDS;
OR
Completion of a residency or fellowship post-graduate degree;
OR
College credits (three or more courses) above the graduate degree in the areas relevant to the advance practice.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience requirements, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
1) Advanced knowledge in a focused area of contemporary speech pathology practice for contemporary and evidence-based practice in differential diagnosis and treatment.
2) Skill in interpreting advanced specialized clinical management programs in focused areas of contemporary speech-language pathology practice.
3) Ability to provide consultation and continuing education in a specific SLP disorder area.
Preferred Experience: Brain injury work experience, Inpatient Experience, CBIS certification, Experience with the following: on Interdisciplinary Teams, performing Modified Barium Swallow Studies, Program Development, Involvement with CARF accreditation.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
The full performance level of this vacancy is a GS-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS-13.
Physical Requirements:
Requires frequent physical exertion such as: bending, reaching, crouching, stooping, stretching and lifting moderately heavy items.
Must be able to push a patient in a wheelchair and assist in transferring from wheelchair to exam chair.
May be sitting for prolonged periods of time: sitting, using computer, keyboard & mouse.
Must be able to take, pass & maintain Basic Life Support, BLS certification.
Education
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Transcripts must include your name, the school's entire name, can be unofficial transcripts, must have the name of the course, date course taken, grade received for the course, amount of credits earned for the course, date degree conferred, (if applicable), (name of degrees received).
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Please be clear and specific in describing your experience, or any information in your resume or any attachments you provide. We will not make assumptions regarding any information provided regarding your experience on your resume or any information contained in your application materials. Your application, résumé, 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.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
- License
- Resume
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to 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.
- License
- If applicable, please upload a screenshot or copy of your initial and current Board certification such as BRS-S Disorders or BC-ANCDS
- If applicable, please upload a screenshot or copy of your completion of a residency or fellowship post-graduate degree
- If applicable, please upload a copy of your transcripts that demonstrate completion of completion of College credits (three or more courses) above the graduate degree in the areas relevant to the advance practice.
- Resume
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time on 10/08/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12563073.
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.
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