Speech-Language Pathologist
What you'd do
The Speech-Language Pathologist is located within the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service at the Prescott, Arizona, VA Northern Arizona Health Care System. In this position, you will be responsible for planning and conducting comprehensive diagnostic assessments and therapies for speech, language, voice, cognition, and swallowing disorders. You will work independently across all clinical areas to deliver critical, wide-ranging rehabilitative care to our veteran patient population.
Major duties
Conducts, plans, and coordinates all clinical and administrative aspects of a full range of services associated with contemporary speech-language pathology practice. Performs independent diagnostic assessment and evaluation of cases referred to Speech-Language Pathology without limitation as to difficulty or complexity. Conducts interviews with patients and appropriate family members or friends; selects, administers, and interprets diagnostic tests required to detect and evaluate speech, language, voice, fluency, cognitive, and swallowing disorders. Ensures adequacy of assessments and reports findings to other professionals involved in formulating diagnostic and clinical judgments. Assesses patient condition through close observation and consultation with members of the interdisciplinary health care team and utilizes all diagnostic and evaluative procedures consistent with contemporary speech-language pathology practice. Plans, conducts, coordinates, and monitors the effectiveness and clinical outcomes of patient-centered treatments and rehabilitative services to maximize and restore physical and social functioning. Administers a full range of tests of speech, language, voice, fluency, and cognition, including evaluation of vocal pitch and loudness, rate of vocal utterance, frequency and complexity of disfluency, adaptation in sustained or repeated speaking and aural reading, phonetic analysis of misarticulation patterns, and identification of phonetic and semantic factors related to speech sound variation. Develops effective and comprehensive plans of care for swallowing disorders in collaboration with other health care practitioners; establishes and maintains therapeutic relationships with patients, families, and caregivers; and adjusts treatment plans based on patient response and progress indicators. Serves as a consultant to facility personnel for the most difficult cases and functions as a recognized subject matter expert in speech, language, voice, fluency, cognitive, and swallowing disorders. Supervises, evaluates, mentors, and precepts student trainees in speech-language pathology and maintains liaison with affiliated colleges and universities. Provides instruction to medical residents and interns seeking information related to speech-language pathology. Completes all documentation as directed and in accordance with facility policy. Maintains current knowledge of developments in speech-language pathology by reading professional literature, participating in continuing education, attending conferences and in-services, and collaborating with colleagues. Participates in required communication activities, including regular staff meetings and interdisciplinary team meetings. Reviews medical center policies and procedures, attends required training, and completes annual mandatory training. Participates in research activities relevant to speech-language pathology as assigned. Assists in gathering clinical research data and incorporates carefully executed clinical procedures into research designs when applicable. Performs ancillary assignments, including specialized program development and management duties, on an occasional basis when workload and complexity are appropriate. Performs other tasks as assigned by the Supervisor, Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, consistent with the mission of PM&R and the Medical Center. Work Schedule: Full-Time, Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorizedc
What you need to qualify
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: SLP candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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. 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. 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: Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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. Speech-Language Pathologist, 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: 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. 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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
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