This position is located in the Audiology & Speech Pathology Unit of the Otolaryngology Section of Surgical Service at the Memphis VA Medical Center. The duties and responsibilities are carried out throughout the medical center including all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the service.

Duties

The staff speech pathologist at this level is an independent licensed practitioner and must demonstrate professional knowledge of, and skill in applying a wide range of theories, principles, and methodologies of the practice of speech pathology to a wide range of populations. In addition to the duties and responsibilities at the GS-12 level, the speech pathologist has special clinical program responsibilities. The incumbent fulfills Special Clinical Responsibilities (Voice and Upper Airway Disorders) for the Memphis VAMC. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. SLP clinical specialists apply advanced knowledge of scientific principles and contemporary and evidence-based clinical practice in a specific disorder area. SLPs in this assignment use professional judgment to diagnose patients with the most complex disorders not typically seen in routine clinical practice; develop and implement evidence-based and individualized clinical management programs; and render professional opinions. These patients may present with multiple physical, sensory, motor, cognitive or other complicated communication or swallowing disorders that require advanced clinical decision-making skills using complex data. On a regional or national level, SLP clinical specialists serve as subject matter experts for a specific clinical area, adding knowledge to the profession by providing expert consultation, continuing education and mentoring to colleagues, clinical fellows and students. Major duties for the Speech-Language Pathologist include (but are not limited to): Independently provides diagnostic and treatment services to patients with voice, swallowing and upper airway disorders. Facilitates maximum recovery for veterans from multiple referral sources including but not limited to ENT, neurology, and pulmonology. Responsible for communicating with other members of the team including other disciplines regarding outcomes, recommendations, speech pathology scope, and protocols. Skilled use of contemporary instrumentation including but not limited to TEP, FEES, laryngeal stroboscopy, voice analysis/treatment, and aerodynamic analysis of airflow. Makes adjustments in procedures and practices to accomplish program goals. Coordinates treatments and goals with referring physicians. Educates each rotation of ENT residents on voice and airway disorders. Serves as an expert consultant to coworkers and other professionals regarding voice, upper airway and swallowing disorders. Works closely with ENT physicians in shared clinic or by referral. Collects and analyzes data to improve program operations and functional outcomes. Remains current on literature and incorporates evidence-based practices. Other Diagnostic/Treatment Functions/Knowledge: Responsible for conducting interviews with patients and appropriate family members; Develops coherent treatment strategies. Incorporates new clinical procedures sufficient to perform clinical services independently, including the telehealth platform. Provides treatment interventions designed to facilitate timely achievement of optimal level of functional outcomes and provides consultation to other health care professionals. Has knowledge of principles and techniques used in voice disorders including alaryngeal and trach/ventilator-dependent patients to perform functions associated with contemporary speech-language pathology scope of practice. Exercises independent clinical judgment and adapts clinical procedures and techniques to accommodate age-specific and unique patient conditions, needs, and expectations. Consults with physicians and other health care practitioners related to diagnostic evaluation and treatment. Documents in the medical record: evaluates, diagnosis and clinical opinion, treatment plans, outcomes of treatment, changes in functional status, and patient/family education. Manages consults in a timely manner using facility protocols. Attends interdisciplinary team meetings; participates with other health care practitioners to address the global needs of the patient, advises on diagnosis and treatment. Training Program Research: Independently provides instruction/clinical supervision of speech pathology graduate students in all aspects of speech pathology including training involving highly complex conditions. Conducts, disseminates, and applies research in speech pathology within the confines of clinical responsibilities. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Tues 8-430, Wednesday 1p-5p, Thursday 8-430p Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Speech Pathologist- GS 13. 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: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7407(a). 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. 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. Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series that are also performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education and licensure. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:(1) SLPs may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance level or changed to a lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the full performance level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.(2) If SLPs who are retained under this provision leave the occupation, they will lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation.(3) SLPs initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard, must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment.(4) SLPs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. 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. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. English Language Proficiency. SLP candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). Grade Determinations: Speech-Language Pathologist, GS-13. (1) 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. (2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience requirements, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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. Skill in prioritizing program goals and objectives. Ability to build consensus among clinical team members with divergent backgrounds, interests and points of view. Ability to gather and evaluate outcome data to determine program quality and effectiveness. Ability to serve as a resource to other health care providers regarding a specialized clinical program. (3) Assignment. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. SLPs with special clinical program responsibilities plan, guide and facilitate the work of a specialized, intra- or interdisciplinary clinical team to accomplish program goals and establish well-coordinated work operations. At this level, SLPs are responsible for communicating team goals and objectives to other medical center staff; and serve as a resource to other health care providers. SLPs with special clinical program responsibilities evaluate the program's work by developing quality improvement indicators and monitoring outcome data, making adjustments as needed. References: VA Handbook 5005/153 September 22, 2022 Part II Appendix G30 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: Work is sedentary but also demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

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 Memphis VA Medical Center 1030 Jefferson Avenue Memphis, TN 38104 US
• Name: Julissa Jimenez
• Phone: (407) 579-4973
• Email: [email protected]