Speech Language Pathologist

Veterans Health Administration • Menlo Park, CA

17d • Onsite

About The Position

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

The SLP independently assesses and evaluates cases referred to Speech Language Pathology, regardless of difficulty or complexity. The role includes developing comprehensive plans of care, coordinating with other health care practitioners, establishing therapeutic relationships with patients and their families or caregivers, and adjusting treatment based on patient response and progress.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; weekend coverage may be expected. Telework is unavailable, and this is not a virtual position. The full performance level is GS-12; selection may be at GS-11 or GS-12. The position is in the Excepted Service and requires a 1- or 2-year trial period.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in written and spoken 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 license to practice speech-language pathology in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, subject to the stated exceptions for graduate SLP appointments and qualifying research or academic assignments.
• For GS-12: one year of professional experience comparable to the next lower level and a full, current, unrestricted license.
• 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 to patient conditions, needs, and goals.
• For GS-12: skill in contemporary evidence-based diagnosis and treatment for 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 patient needs.
• Compliance with background and security investigation requirements, onboarding, identification requirements, and the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Successful completion of the required application materials and, if selected, a 1- or 2-year trial period.
• Education used to qualify must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and from an accredited institution; foreign education must be supported by a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency and transcript.

Responsibilities

• Conduct, plan, and coordinate clinical and administrative aspects of speech-language pathology services.
• Interview patients and appropriate family members or friends.
• Select, administer, and interpret diagnostic tests to detect and evaluate speech, language, voice, fluency, cognitive, and swallowing disorders.
• Develop comprehensive plans of care for swallowing disorders in collaboration with other health care practitioners.
• Establish and maintain effective therapy relationships with patients, families, and caregivers.
• Adjust treatment plans in response to patient progress and clinical indicators.
• Independently perform diagnostic assessments and evaluations for referred cases, regardless of difficulty or complexity.
• Provide evidence-based assessment and treatment interventions and assess clinical outcomes.
• Select, administer, and interpret standardized and non-standardized assessment measures and integrate findings into patient-centered treatment plans.
• Collect and document treatment outcomes.
• Potentially provide clinical training experiences for trainees and students and participate in research activities.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to the employee and family, subject to eligibility.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior federal work or military service, if requested and approved before appointment; approval is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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