Speech-Language Pathologist

Speech-Language Pathologist

This position is located in the Audiology and Speech Pathology Service at the Phoenix VA Health Care System. The duties and responsibilities are carried out throughout the medical center including all clinical and patient care areas involved with the service. The incumbent is a staff speech-language pathologist.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Clinically conducts and interprets comprehensive diagnostic evaluations for speech, language, voice, fluency, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders, including complex and medically involved cases.
• Plans, implements, and monitors individualized treatment programs designed to restore and optimize communication and swallowing function, tailoring interventions to Veterans' unique goals and needs.
• Demonstrates advanced knowledge and clinical skill in the evaluation and management of dysphagia across the continuum of care, including instrumental assessment and interdisciplinary dysphagia management.
• Collaborates closely with the interprofessional care team to support timely and coordinated assessment, treatment planning, and safe discharge recommendations.
• Provides patient, family, and caregiver education to promote understanding of speech-language and swallowing disorders, rehabilitation strategies, and safety in mealtime and communication environments.
• Utilizes evidence-based practice and current clinical guidelines consistent with VA Speech-Language Pathology qualification standards and scope of practice.
• Maintains documentation in compliance with VA policies and accrediting body standards, ensuring that communication, assessment results, and clinical outcomes are clearly conveyed to all care team members.
• Demonstrates competence in the use and application of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems, as well as in the management of communication and swallowing needs for tracheostomy and ventilator-dependent Veterans.
• Develops and adjusts plans of care in collaboration with patients and interdisciplinary providers to ensure measurable progress and meaningful outcomes.

Education:

• Provides education and orientation to Veterans, family members, medical residents, allied health professionals, community organizations, students, and volunteers regarding the role and services of Speech-Language Pathology.
• Delivers in-service trainings to nursing staff, medical residents, and other allied health professionals on speech, language, cognitive-communication, and swallowing evaluation and treatment procedures to support best practices in acute care.
• Supervises, mentors, and precepts student trainees and fellows in Speech-Language Pathology, maintaining active collaboration with affiliated colleges and universities to support clinical education and workforce development.
• Assists with the orientation and training of new Speech-Language Pathology staff to ensure consistency with VA policies, clinical standards, and Veteran-centered care principles.

Work Schedule: Flexible Alternate Work Schedule (AWS) including either Mondays or Fridays off with 4 hour shift on either Saturday or Sunday. TBD during interview. Work schedule may change due to operational needs of service.

Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized for highly qualified candidates

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements:

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. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications:

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.).
• 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 (see paragraph 2.g.). 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.
• Failure to Obtain Licensure. In all cases, graduate SLP must actively pursue obtaining the required licensure from the date of their appointment. The Human Resource office staff will provide the unlicensed SLP written requirement to obtain licensure, the date by which the license must be acquired and the consequences for not becoming licensed by the deadline.