The Phoenix VA Health Care System is recruiting for a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP). The SLP will function in the Audiology and Speech Language Pathology Service. The duties and responsibilities are carried out throughout the Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center, including outpatient clinical and other inpatient care areas involved with the service.

Duties

The SLP will use a wide range of knowledge and skills in applying theories, principles, and methodologies in the practice of speech-language pathology to treat Veterans with speech, language, cognitive-communication, voice, and swallowing disorders to a wide range of populations. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Incorporates new clinical procedures sufficient to perform clinical services. Identifies, defines, evaluates, diagnoses, and treats disorders of human communication and swallowing associated with, but not limited to, speech, language processing, swallowing, and feeding function, and cognitive aspects of communication. Uses instrumentation to observe, collect data, and measure parameters of communication and swallowing. Exercises limited clinical judgment and adapts clinical procedures and techniques to accommodate age-specific and unique patient conditions, needs, and expectations. Demonstrates knowledge in the assessment and treatment of neurodegenerative disease including dysphagia and augmentative and alternative communication [AAC] devices; documentation of medical justification; and effectively orients, trains, and adjusts AAC devices or rehabilitative strategies based on Veteran needs and/or disease progression, and effectively educates Veterans and caregivers on communication and safe swallowing strategies. 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; Plans and implements an effective course of therapy for difficult and complex cases. Educates and counsels Veterans, families, caregivers, co-workers, educators, and other persons in the community regarding acceptance, adaptation, and decision-making about disorders associated with the practice of Speech-Language Pathology. Maintain collaboration with other health care practitioners. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:00 am to 3:30 pm Telework: Adhoc available with supervisory approval. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 0000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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: 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. 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. 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-11: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of principles and techniques in assessing and treating disorders of speech, language, cognitive-communication and swallowing. Knowledge of instrumentation and technologies for assessing and treating communication and swallowing disorders. Ability to adapt clinical procedures and techniques to accommodate unique patient conditions, needs and goals. Assignment: SLPs at this entry developmental grade level assess and treat patients with routine speech, language, voice, cognitive-communication and swallowing disorders following the principles of evidence-based practice and perform clinical procedures with respect to age-specific, unique patient conditions and needs. When assessing and treating patients with complex or rare speech, language, voice, cognitive communication and swallowing disorders, SLPs may require consultation with an SLP at the full performance or higher level. Speech Language Pathologist GS-12 Experience/Licensure: In addition to the basic requirements at the GS-11 level, you must complete one year of professional experience comparable to the next lower level and possess a full, current and unrestricted license to practice speech-language pathology. In addition to meeting the experience and licensure requirements, you must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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. Skill in administering and interpreting instrumental swallowing evaluations. Ability to assess the effectiveness of clinical outcomes and adapt clinical procedures and techniques to accommodate unique patient conditions. Assignment: This is the full performance level. At this level, SLPs independently provide evidence-based assessment and treatment interventions to individuals with a wide range of speech, language, voice, cognitive-communication and swallowing disorders. Staff SLPs select, administer and interpret standardized and non-standardized assessment measures. They integrate assessment findings into a patient-centered treatment plan of care and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions by collecting and documenting treatment outcomes. SLPs may be assigned to work in a specific clinical area such as traumatic brain injury, head and neck cancer, movement disorders or spinal cord injury. They may provide clinical training experiences for trainees and students and participate in research activities Preferred Experience: Strong preference for experience with instrumental evaluation of dysphagia (ex: MBS/FEES). Experience with the assessment and treatment of neurodegenerative disease strongly preferred. At least 2 years of acute care experience also preferred. 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. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: Light lifting (under 15 pounds); light carrying (under 15 pounds); straight pulling (2 hours); reaching above shoulder; walking (2 hours);long hours of standing; repeated bending (2 hours); near vision corrected to 13" to 16"; far vision correctable in on eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other; and hearing (aid permitted).

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Carl T Hayden Veterans' Administration Medical Center 650 East Indian School Road Phoenix, AZ 85012 US
• Name: Jazmine Salido
• Phone: 505-767-6022
• Email: [email protected]