Summary The Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center is seeking a highly qualified candidate for a Speech-Language Pathologist position. The duties and responsibilities are carried out throughout the medical center including all clinical and patient care areas involved with the service. Responsibilities Robert J Dole VA Medical Center committed to Diversity and Inclusion. Together, we strive to create and maintain a working and learning environment that promotes professional growth and teamwork. We offer an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment where we celebrate our individual differences and unite as a team toward a common goal of providing outstanding service to our Nation's Veterans. Major duties include but are not limited to: 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 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 a laryngeal and trach/ventilator-dependent patients to perform functions associated with contemporary speech-language pathology scope of practice. Assists in the training and supervision of students, trainees, and fellows, providing feedback on progress toward established educational goals. Provides patient and family education including informed consent. 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. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 08:00AM-4:30PM 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 GS-11: $79,807-$103,747 GS-12: $95,845-$124,349 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: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency: Individuals appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA must be proficient in written and spoken English. Experience and 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 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. Note: 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. A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Licensure. Individuals must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice speech-language pathology in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Note: Non-licensed applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for speech-language pathologists' 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. 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-11 Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Ability to apply basic scientific methods, basic research design and statistics to conduct research. (b) Ability to recruit research subjects. (c) Ability to administer study protocol. (d) Ability to perform data quality assurance activities including reviewing participant files and data verification. GS-12 Experience. In addition to the basic requirements at the GS-11 level, completing one year of professional experience comparable to the next lower level and possessing a full, current and unrestricted license to practice speech-language pathology. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience requirements, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) 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. (b) Skill in administering and interpreting instrumental swallowing evaluations. (c) Ability to assess the effectiveness of clinical outcomes and adapt clinical procedures and techniques to accommodate unique patient conditions. Preferred Experience: 2-5 years of current radiological assessment for dysphagia as incumbent functions as an independent practitioner. Knowledge and experience with Speech-Language Pathology instrumentation used in Video Fluoroscopic Swallow Studies/Modified Barium Swallow Studies (VFSS/MBSS). Knowledge of principles and experience with techniques used in augmentation and alternative communication (AAC) system, diagnosis, and treatment of dysphagia (including head and neck cancer), motor speech disorders and cognitive-communication disorders. Knowledge of principles and experience with techniques used in voice disorders including alaryngeal and trach/ventilator-dependent patients to perform functions associated with contemporary Speech-Language Pathology Scope of Practice. Experience working with the adult and geriatric populations within the inpatient, outpatient, and rehabilitative areas. Knowledge and experience with telehealth services (tele speech pathology). Knowledge of International Dysphagia Diet Standardization and implementation in current Speech Pathology practices. 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: The duties of the position regularly require periods of sitting, standing and walking. Working with patients requires sitting, bending, standing, and pushing of wheelchairs. At times, a light to moderate amount of lifting is required. Some stressful situations may occur when communicating with patients and their families who may have multiple physical, mental and psychosocial problems and needs. 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/. Additional Information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.