Speech-Language Pathologist

Veterans Health Administration • Menlo Park, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Speech-Language Pathologist position is located in the Audiology and Speech Pathology Service at the Palo Alto VA Health Care System. Duties are performed throughout the medical center, including clinical and other patient-care areas. The SLP plans, conducts, and coordinates diagnostic assessments and evaluations, as well as therapeutic and rehabilitative services for speech, language, voice, fluency, cognitive, and swallowing disorders.

At the GS-11 level, the employee works under general supervision, plans and carries out assignments independently within established program goals, resolves most issues, coordinates work as needed, and keeps the supervisor informed of progress and potentially controversial matters. At the GS-12 full-performance level, the SLP independently provides a full range of contemporary clinical and administrative speech-language pathology services, including assessment and treatment of cases without limitation as to difficulty or complexity.

The full-performance SLP conducts and interprets assessments, reports findings to other professionals, collaborates with the interdisciplinary health care team, and develops and monitors patient-centered treatment plans and rehabilitation services. The role includes assessment of speech, language, voice, fluency, cognition, and swallowing; consultation on difficult and complex cases; supervision and mentoring of student trainees; liaison with affiliated colleges and universities; participation in relevant research; and completion of documentation in accordance with facility policy. The position requires attendance at staff and interdisciplinary meetings, policy and procedure review, and in-service training.

Work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; weekend coverage may be expected, as determined by the supervisor. Compressed or flexible scheduling may be authorized at the supervisor’s discretion. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. The vacancy may be filled at GS-11 or GS-12, with GS-12 as the full-performance level.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception under VA policy for recruiting qualified citizens.
• 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; alternatively, a doctoral degree in speech-language pathology, communication disorders and sciences, or a related field from an accredited college or university.
• Full, current, and unrestricted speech-language pathology license in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, subject to the stated graduate-SLP and research/academic assignment exceptions.
• For GS-12: one year of professional experience comparable to the next lower level and a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice speech-language pathology.
• For GS-11: knowledge of principles and techniques for assessing and treating speech, language, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders; knowledge of relevant instrumentation and technologies; and ability to adapt clinical procedures and techniques to patients’ conditions, needs, and goals.
• For GS-12: skill in applying contemporary evidence-based diagnostic and treatment principles and techniques across adult patient populations; skill in administering and interpreting instrumental swallowing evaluations; and ability to assess clinical outcomes and adapt procedures and techniques to patient needs.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service.
• Subject to background and security investigation and completion of the online onboarding process and application requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA health care personnel.
• Applicants with pending education or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until requirements are met.
• Graduate SLP appointees must actively pursue licensure and obtain it by the date specified by Human Resources; failure to obtain required credentials by the prescribed date may result in termination.
• Education used to qualify must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and from an accredited institution; foreign education must meet stated equivalency documentation requirements.

Responsibilities

• Plan, conduct, and coordinate diagnostic assessments and evaluations for speech, language, voice, fluency, cognitive, and swallowing disorders.
• Provide therapeutic and rehabilitative services to maximize and restore patients’ physical and social functioning.
• Independently assess and evaluate referred cases, including complex cases, and report findings to other professional workers.
• Use diagnostic and evaluative procedures and techniques consistent with contemporary speech-language pathology practice.
• Administer and interpret tests of speech, language, voice, fluency, and cognition, including measures of vocal characteristics, dysfluency, articulation, and speech-sound patterns.
• Develop comprehensive swallowing-disorder plans of care in collaboration with other health care practitioners.
• Establish and maintain therapy relationships with patients, families, and caregivers, and adjust treatment plans based on patient response and progress.
• Plan, conduct, coordinate, and monitor patient-centered treatment and rehabilitation outcomes.
• Consult with facility personnel on difficult and complex cases and serve as a subject matter expert in relevant disorder areas.
• Attend staff and interdisciplinary health care team meetings, review policies and procedures, and attend in-service training.
• Supervise, mentor, and precept speech-language pathology student trainees and maintain liaisons with affiliated colleges and universities.
• Participate in research activities pertinent to speech-language pathology.
• Complete documentation in accordance with facility policy.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families; eligibility depends on position type and other factors.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

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