The staff speech-language pathologist position is located in the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Service of the VA Northern California Health Care System (VANCHCS), at the Mather Campus. The duties and responsibilities are carried out in both the inpatient and outpatient setting, including the ENT Voice and Swallow clinic with a focus on head and neck cancer, voice and swallow.

Duties

The incumbent is responsible for independent diagnostic assessment and evaluation of cases that are referred to the Speech-Language Pathology Section without limitation as to difficulty or complexity. The incumbent will be responsible to conduct interviews with the patients and appropriate family members or friends; and to select, administer and interpret the diagnostic test results necessary to detect and evaluate the presence of a speech, language, voice, fluency, communicative, cognitive, and/or swallowing disorder. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Assessing patient conditions from examination, observation and consultation with other members of an interdisciplinary health care team. Utilizing diagnostic and evaluative procedures and techniques consistent with contemporary speech-language pathology practice. Developing an appropriate plan of care and delivering treatment as designed and consistent with principles of evidence-based practice, Documenting evaluation and treatment actions and outcomes in appropriate formats in a timely manner, in accordance with facility policy, and completing all related administrative tasks. Reporting the findings to Veterans and their families, and to professional colleagues. Planning, conducting, coordinating, and monitoring the effectiveness and clinical outcomes of patient-centered treatment and rehabilitative services to maximize and restore physical and social functioning to the greatest extent possible. Work Schedule: Monday trough Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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: 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 (see paragraph 2.g.). or (2) A doctoral degree in speech-language pathology, communication disorders and sciences or a related field, from an accredited college or university. English Language Proficiency. SLP candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). Licensure. Individuals must hold a full, current and unrestricted license in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth or the District of Columbia. (1) Non-licensed applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for SLP licensure may be appointed to a temporary position as a graduate SLP under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 (c) (2). Individuals appointed as graduate SLPs may not be promoted to the GS-12 level without being fully licensed. (2) The requirement for licensure may be waived by the Under Secretary for Health or designee in VHA Central Office for individuals engaged in research or academic assignments involving no direct patient care duties, in accordance with current activities. (3) An SLP who has, or ever has had their speech-language pathology license revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited or issued/placed on probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in Chapter 3, section B, paragraph 16 of this part. Failure to Obtain Licensure. In all cases, graduate SLP must actively pursue obtaining the required licensure from the date of their appointment. The Human Resource office staff will provide the unlicensed SLP written requirement to obtain licensure, the date by which the license must be acquired and the consequences for not becoming licensed by the deadline. The written notice must be provided prior to the entrance on duty date. Failure to obtain the required credentials by the prescribed date may result in termination of employment. 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. 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: GS-09 Education and Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-11 Education and Experience. Completion of 1 year of professional experience as an S-LP equivalent to the next lower level, [or] 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a doctoral degree, or doctoral degree in speech-language pathology, communication disorders, or a directly related field. The following KSAs are required: [a.] Knowledge of principles and techniques used in speech pathology; [b.] Ability to evaluate and interpret data; [c.] Ability to communicate information effectively to patients and significant others; [d.] Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing [e.] Ability to function as a constructive member of a team; [f.] Knowledge of principles and techniques in diagnosis and treatment of dysphagia; [g.] Knowledge of, and ability to develop and implement, comprehensive treatment plans. GS-12 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. The following KSAs are required: [a.] Ability to develop coherent treatment strategies; [b.] Ability to incorporate new clinical procedures sufficient to perform clinical services independently; [c.] Ability to conduct assessments, provide treatment interventions, and provide consultation to other health care professionals; [d.] Knowledge of instrumentation used in speech-language pathology; [e.] Knowledge of principles and techniques used in alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) systems, diagnosis and treatment of dysphagia, and cognitive-communication disorders; [f.] Knowledge of principles and techniques used in voice disorders including alaryngeal and trach/ventilator-dependent patients; and [g.] Ability to perform functions associated with contemporary speech-language pathology practice. Preferred Experience: Voice and Swallow, Head and Neck Cancer References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G30 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-09 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: This position is primarily sedentary.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application.

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address VA Northern California Health Care System 10535 Hospital Way Mather, CA 95655 US
• Name: Mari Hartman
• Email: [email protected]