Speech-Language Pathologist

Veterans Health Administration • Augusta, ME

16d • Onsite

About The Position

This full-time Staff Speech-Language Pathologist position is in the Speech Pathology Service within Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation services at the VA Maine Healthcare System. The position is based at the Augusta, Maine location, with possible work at other VA Maine Healthcare System campuses as needed. Work is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework may be authorized; this is not a virtual position.

The position provides speech-language pathology services throughout the medical center, including clinical and patient-care areas. The clinician independently assesses and evaluates referred cases of any difficulty or complexity; plans and provides therapy for speech, language, cognitive-communication, and swallowing conditions; and consults with patients, families, physicians, and other health-care professionals. The role includes clinical documentation, interdisciplinary care, program development and evaluation, and supporting the training and supervision of staff and learners. The full performance level is GS-12; applicants may be selected at GS-11 or GS-12.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for appointments when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under applicable law.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• A master's degree or equivalent in speech-language pathology, communication disorders, or a directly related field from an accredited college or university, plus 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.
• A full, current, and unrestricted speech-language pathology license in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia. A temporary graduate SLP appointment may be available to otherwise eligible non-licensed applicants; graduate SLPs cannot be promoted to GS-12 without full licensure.
• For GS-11, knowledge of principles and techniques for assessing and treating speech, language, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders; knowledge of assessment and treatment instrumentation and technologies; and ability to adapt clinical procedures to unique patient conditions, needs, and goals.
• For GS-12, one year of professional experience comparable to the next lower level and a full, current, unrestricted license.
• For GS-12, skill in evidence-based diagnosis and treatment of adult patients across the full range of speech-language pathology conditions and patient populations; skill in administering and interpreting instrumental swallowing evaluations; and ability to assess clinical outcomes and adapt procedures to unique patient conditions.
• Meet applicable background, credentialing, onboarding, identification, and application-document requirements; seasonal influenza vaccination is required for VA health-care personnel.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is evaluated.
• Meet the physical demands of frequent stooping, bending, walking, handling wheelchairs, and lifting during patient treatment; occasional heavy lifting may be required in unforeseen circumstances.
• Use dexterity and safe machinery techniques and follow safety precautions for regular exposure to patient-care risks, contagious diseases, odors, or flammable gases; wear protective clothing such as gloves and a mask.

Responsibilities

• Apply speech-language pathology theories, principles, and methods across a wide range of populations.
• Independently assess and evaluate cases referred for Speech Pathology Services, without limitation as to difficulty or complexity.
• Develop therapy plans to resolve or minimize speech-, language-, and cognitive-communication conditions affecting social contacts, education, or employment.
• Develop therapy plans to resolve or minimize dysphagia-related conditions and help patients tolerate the safest, least restrictive diet.
• Incorporate new clinical procedures sufficiently to perform clinical services independently.
• Conduct assessments, provide treatment interventions, and consult with other health-care professionals.
• Exercise independent clinical judgment and adapt procedures and techniques to age-specific and unique patient conditions, needs, and expectations.
• Consult with physicians and other health-care practitioners on diagnostic evaluation and treatment.
• Document evaluations, diagnoses, clinical opinions, treatment plans and outcomes, functional-status changes, and patient and family education in the medical record.
• Attend interdisciplinary team meetings and collaborate with health-care practitioners on patients’ overall needs, diagnosis, and treatment.
• Assist with orientation, training, and supervision of medical staff, new staff, students, trainees, and fellows, including feedback on educational progress.
• Participate in developing guidelines, protocols, and new patient programs, and in evaluating existing programs.
• As requested, serve on service-level committees or task forces, or represent the service or section on medical-center, network, or national committees.
• Travel to other VA campuses, community-based outpatient clinics, or other facilities when required.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefit eligibility depends on position and employment status.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level