Summary NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. This position is in the Sensory Service at Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center in Saginaw, MI. This position works in both an inpatient, outpatient, and home setting in the Saginaw VA Medical Center. The Speech-Language Pathologist will adhere to all safety standard related to Homecare and includes all clinical and patient care areas involved with the speech section. Responsibilities Duties include but not limited to: Responsible for independently providing comprehensive clinical services for the speech section and team Conducting screenings and diagnostic evaluations of patients presenting with a variety of communication and cognitive disorders; to make accurate diagnoses and to establish appropriate treatment plans Conducting speech, voice, cognition, and language therapy sessions and related management of patients with impairments in areas including but not limited to motor speech disorders or aphasia resulting from Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), or neuromuscular disorders. Providing screenings on swallowing, providing assessment and treatment for patients with swallowing disorders (dysphagia), providing recommendations on diet management for patients with swallowing difficulties, functions to reduce complications of swallowing such as aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition, and dehydration. Management of tracheostomy/laryngectomy patients for the purpose of maximizing communication and swallowing as requested by the providers Educating patients and families regarding the results of assessments, progress in treatment and methods to maximize communication and swallowing Conducting augmentative alternative communication evaluations and prescribing devices when indicated. Working in conjunction with other medical specialists and is knowledgeable in making appropriate referrals to other professionals as necessary Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 92547A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications 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: A master's degree, or its equivalent, in speech-language pathology (SLP), communication disorders or a directly related field from an accredited college or university and 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. Licensure: Individuals must hold a full, current and unrestricted license in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth or the District of Columbia Foreign Education: To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in the conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. English Language Proficiency: Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 USC § 7403(f) Grade Determinations: Speech-Language Pathologist, GS-11 (1) Education. None beyond the basic requirements. (2) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of principles and techniques in assessing and treating disorders of speech, language, cognitive-communication and swallowing. (b) Knowledge of instrumentation and technologies for assessing and treating communication and swallowing disorders. c) Ability to adapt clinical procedures and techniques to accommodate unique patient conditions, needs and goals. Assignment. SLPs at this entry developmental grade level assess and treat patients with routine speech, language, voice, cognitive-communication and swallowing disorders following the principles of evidence-based practice and perform clinical procedures with respect to age-specific, unique patient conditions and needs. When assessing and treating patients with complex or rare speech, language, voice, cognitive communication and swallowing disorders, SLPs may require consultation with an SLP at the full performance or higher level. Speech-Language Pathologist, GS-12 (1) Experience. In addition to the basic requirements at the GS-11 level, completing one year of professional experience comparable to the next lower level, GS-11, and possessing a full, current and unrestricted license to practice speech-language pathology. (2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience requirements, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following 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. 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). Preferred Experience: Experience in treatment of Parkinson's Disease via a voice treatment protocol such as LOUD preferred. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: This position entails constant talking, engaging, hearing patients, families, and VA team members. It requires constant fingering or hand movement to include typing, manipulation of clinical supplies. It requires constant vision including far and near for standard size print, with depth perception for test manipulation and reading equipment or electronic records. It requires frequent reaching, standing, walking, repetitive motion, balancing, bending, and kneeling for working with age-specific patients with various mobility issues and posturing. It requires occasional lifting over 25-50 pounds for supplies or moving patients in wheelchairs or other mobility devices. It requires occasional pushing and crouching. This position requires the incumbent to travel by government vehicle to Community Based Clinics, Saginaw locations, and Home-Based Care as a regular and reoccurring part of their duties (valid driver's license required). Education Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the @context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. Smoke-free Facility: All Department of Veterans Affairs facilities are smoke-free. Patients, visitors, and employees are not allowed to smoke in or near any facilities or on the grounds.
