Fee Basis - Speech Language Pathologist

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Reno (NV); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Speech-Language Pathologist to independently assess and treat inpatients and outpatients, coordinating care with referring providers to establish meaningful plans.

The role requires a master’s or doctoral degree in SLP, a current unrestricted license in a U.S. state, and US citizenship, with eligibility under VA policies for licensure waivers where applicable. Grandfathering provisions may apply to VA employees.

Qualifications

• Master's or doctoral degree required in SLP with accreditation.
• Full, current and unrestricted licensure in a U.S. state or territory.
• Citizenship required; non-citizens may be considered per VA policy.

Responsibilities

• Provide SLP assessment and treatment to inpatients and outpatients via referrals.
• Use standard and non-standard methods to evaluate complex cases.
• Align examination findings with patient preferences for a meaningful plan of care.

Skills

Diagnosis and treatment

Swallowing evaluations

Outcomes assessment

Education

Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology

Doctoral degree in SLP or related field

Job description

The speech-language pathologist at this level independently providing speech language pathology assessment and treatment interventions to inpatients and outpatients via referrals received from appropriate healthcare providers. This includes using standard and non-standard methods for evaluating complex cases to identify problems and baseline levels of function, aligning examination findings with the patient's preferences for a meaningful plan of care.

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.


• Education and Experience: (1) 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 (2) 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. (1) Non-licensed applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for SLP licensure may be appointed to a temporary position as a graduate SLP under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405 (c)(2). Individuals appointed as graduate SLPs may not be promoted to the GS-12 level without being fully licensed. (2) The requirement for licensure may be waived by the Under Secretary for Health or designee in VHA Central Office for individuals engaged in research or academic assignments involving no direct patient care duties, in accordance with current activities. (3) An SLP who has, or ever has had their speech-language pathology license revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited or issued/placed on probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in Chapter 3, section B, paragraph 16 of this part.

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).

Grandfathering Provision

All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series that are also performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education and licensure. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) SLPs may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance level or changed to a lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the full performance level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. (2) If SLPs who are retained under this provision leave the occupation, they will lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation. (3) SLPs initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard, must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment. (4) SLPs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

• (a) 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.


• (b) Skill in administering and interpreting instrumental swallowing evaluations.


• (c) 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/.

Physical Requirements

This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.