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
• (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)
• Grade Determinations: 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 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
• Preferred Experience: Experience with modified barium swallow studies/flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing and laryngectomee preferred, but not required Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 12
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS 12
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019