Career Center

This position is located in the Audiology and Speech Pathology Service at the W.G. (Bill) Hefner VA Health Care System, Salisbury, NC. The duties and responsibilities are carried out throughout the medical center including all clinical and patient care areas involved with the service. 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. A master's degree or its equivalent in speech-language pathology, communication disorders, or a directly related field from an accredited college or university. "Accredited" means a college or university [recognized] by a regional accreditation organization and a speech-language pathology academic program [recognized] by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Licensure. Must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license in a State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia. S-LP must maintain full, current, and unrestricted licensure/registration. English Language Proficiency. Speech-language pathologists must be proficient in spoken and written English. Grade requirements: Creditable Experience: 1. Knowledge of Contemporary Professional Speech-Language Pathology Practice. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics (also referred to as "core competencies") associated with contemporary professional speech-language pathology practice. This knowledge may be evidenced by one or more of the following: a. At least 1 year of active professional practice or its equivalent. Active professional practice means paid or non-paid employment as a professional S-LP engaged in the practice of speech-language pathology as defined by the appropriate licensing board. b. Academic course work leading to a doctoral degree in speech-language pathology, communication disorders and sciences, or a related field 2. Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it is both of the following: a. Work as a professional speech-language pathologist related to the position to be filled; and b. The work is at a level comparable to speech-language pathology experience at the next lower grade level. 3. Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience as a professional speech-language pathologist is credited according to its relationship to the full-time work week. For example, a speech-language pathologist employed 20 hours a week, or on a 1/2-time basis, would receive 1 full-time workweek of credit for each 2 weeks of service. Grade Determinations: Staff Speech-Language Pathologist, GS-12 Licensure: Must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license in a State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia. 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. Staff Speech-Language Pathologist. Staff S-LPs at this grade level must demonstrate professional knowledge of, and skill in applying, a wide range of theories, principles, and methodologies of the practice of speech-language pathology to a wide range of populations. Individuals may perform ancillary assignments, including program management duties on an occasional basis, where the complexity and amount of work is not substantial (less than 25% of the time). The following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) are required (GS-12): Ability to develop coherent treatment strategies Ability to incorporate new clinical procedures sufficient to perform clinical services independently Ability to conduct assessments, provide treatment interventions, and provide consultation to other health care professionals Knowledge of instrumentation used in speech-language pathology Knowledge of principles and techniques used in alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) systems, diagnosis and treatment of dysphagia, and cognitive-communication disorders Knowledge of principles and techniques used in voice disorders including alaryngeal and trach/ventilator-dependent patients; andg. Ability to perform functions associated with contemporary speech-language pathology practice References: VHA Handbook 5005, Part II Appendix G30, dated August 24, 2010. 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-12 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: Pushing hand over hand, pushing, reaching above shoulders, use of fingers, both hands required, walking, standing, both eyes required. Good (near & distant vision corrected or uncorrected, ability to distinguish colors, hearing without aid. Conversation voice. Working closely with others, working around machinery with moving parts. ["The duties of the Staff Speech-Language Pathologist include, but are not limited to: PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Uses a wide range of knowledge of, and skill in applying, a wide range theories, principles, and methodologies in the practice of speech-language pathology to a wide range of populations Develops coherent treatment strategies Incorporates new clinical procedures sufficient to perform clinical services independently Conducts assessments, provides treatment interventions, and provides consultation to other health care professionals Has knowledge of speech-language pathology instrumentation Has knowledge of principles and techniques used in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems, diagnosis and treatment of dysphagia, and cognitive-communication disorders 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. Attends interdisciplinary team meetings; participates with other health care practitioners to address the global needs of the patient, advises on diagnosis and treatment. EDUCATION: Provides orientation/training of medical staff. Assists in orientation and training of new staff. Assists in the training and supervision of students, trainees, and fellows, providing feedback on progress toward established educational goals. Keeps current with theory and practice through continuing education programs, journals, textbooks, and other literature, and in-service programs. Provides patient and family education including informed consent. ADMINISTRATIVE: Participates in developing guidelines and protocols, new patient programs, and evaluation of existing programs. Maintains patient records and other data required by the clinic, service, and medical center. Maintains, supplies, equipment and clinical areas to optimize safety and efficiency. May be requested to serve on service-level committees or task forces or to represent to service/section on medical center, network, or national committees. May perform ancillary assignments, including program management duties on an occasional basis, where the complexity and amount of work is not substantial. Follows applicable informed consent, HIPAA rules on privacy and protecting patient. Work Schedule: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday\nCompressed/Flexible: May be Available\nTelework: Not available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]