Speech Language Pathologist

Summary

** A recruitment or relocation incentive may be approved for a highly qualified applicant** This is an open continuous announcement until July 31 - 2026. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available.

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
• Licensure: The incumbent must hold a full - current - and unrestricted license in a State - Territory - Commonwealth - or the District of Columbia
• 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
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• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs identified for the assignment
• Assignment: 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)
• 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)
• Speech-Language Pathologist - GS-12 Grade Requirements: (1) 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 The following KSAs are required: 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
• Ability to perform functions associated with contemporary speech-language pathology practice
• Preferred Experience: Acute inpatient experience - outpatient experience - has knowledge of speech-language pathology instrumentation FEES and VFSS - has knowledge of principles and techniques used in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems - diagnosis and treatment of dysphagia - and cognitive communication disorders
• has experience in patients with TBI
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019

Duties

• The incumbent serves as a staff Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) in the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service (PM&R) - at the VACCHCS Fresno
• The SLP is a therapist who identifies - diagnoses - and provides speech/language/cognitive retraining therapy for all appropriately referred inpatients - outpatients - and Community Living Center (CLC) patients
• Incumbent is a staff speech-language pathologist and performs functions associated with contemporary speech-language pathology practice
• In carrying out the duties and responsibilities of this position - the incumbent: 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
• 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
• 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 service 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 rights
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday - 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 08938-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.