Speech / Language Pathologist

Summary

The primary purpose of this position is to provide direct occupational therapy evaluation and treatment, education, and consultation for inpatients and outpatients (regular work week) of all ages with a variety of conditions to improve the health and well-being of patients through the prevention and treatment of disease, disability, and injury. A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021).

Duties

Performs a wide range of duties requiring advanced mastery knowledge of speech-language pathology, evidence-based medicine and data collection. Responsibilities include providing evaluation and therapeutic interventions to a full range of individuals with needs concerned with, but not limited to, physical rehabilitation, spinal injury/diseases with or without complications, neurological injuries/impairments, pediatric development, post-operative care, pain, cognitive disorders, and concomitant behavioral health and cognitive disorders. Utilizes evaluation techniques to determine patient's current functional level using standardized/clinically accepted measurement and evaluation tools, clinical observations, patient/staff interviews, and review of medical histories. Serves as a member of various integrated, interdisciplinary/planning teams that plan, direct, coordinate, and evaluate individual care plans for and progress of patients participating in the program. Prepares and recommends estimates of supplies, and equipment needed on both long term and short term basis for the speech therapy program. Assists with monitoring inventory and assures maintenance of equipment and supplies. Develops and manages programs to address high risk, high volume, problem prone diagnoses including (but not limited to) cleft palate, Parkinson's disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral and fetal alcohol syndrome.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. BASIC REQUIREMENT(S): Education: The mandatory education program described below must have been approved, recognized, or accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology(CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) at the time the degree was obtained. Degree: For speech pathologist positions, a graduate or higher level graduate degree that included 18 semester hours in the field of speech pathology with approved clinical practice. For audiologist positions, a graduate or higher level graduate degree that included 18 semester hours in the field of audiology with approved clinical practice. Applicants for positions with both speech pathologist and audiologist duties must have successfully completed all the requirements for a graduate or higher level degree with 18 semester hours in one of the fields with approved clinical practice and, in addition, must have either completed a minor in the other field or must have had at least 1 year of professional experience in the other field. In addition to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below. Evaluation of Experience: Experience must have demonstrated breadth and level of knowledge of the principles and theories of speech pathology and/or audiology; skill in analyzing and interpreting test results in the evaluation of communicative disorders; ability to plan and conduct a program of therapy independently; ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing; and ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with individuals and groups in evaluating and resolving problems in hearing, voice, language, or speech. Applicants for the speech pathologist/audiologist combined positions must have had sufficient professional experience in both speech pathology and audiology to demonstrate their competence to perform the duties involved. The following are examples of qualifying professional experience that may have been obtained in a hospital, special treatment center for the disabled, university or community clinic, or industrial or educational institution: Investigating and studying the underlying causes, precipitating factors, symptomatic behavior, and the emotional and practical effect upon the patient of a particular impaired speech pattern; resolving speech impairments; and counseling patients and/or families in the adjustment to the speech impairment (for speech pathologist positions). Assessing, evaluating, analyzing, and treating communicative handicaps resulting from hearing impairments (for audiologist positions). Investigating methods to improve the clinical management of communicative disorders and to increase the basic scientific understanding of communicative processes and other factors causing their disruption. Providing instruction in the principles and bases of communication including clinical techniques and methods of assessment, evaluation, and treatment to audiologists, speech pathologists, and specialists in related fields (such as medical residents in otolaryngology). Teaching audiology or speech pathology at the graduate level. Licensure In addition, a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice Speech/Language Pathology and/ or Audiology as applicable in a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: GS11: Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Developing and directing a comprehensive speech therapy program that addresses care and treatment of all speech/swallowing/cognitive disorders. Using judgement in selecting, interpreting, modifying and applying available guidelines for adaptation to specific problems. Providing evaluation and therapeutic interventions to a full range of individuals. Developing and managing programs to address high risk, high volume and problem prone diagnoses. Developing and using augmentative communication systems for non-vocal patients using sign language. Investigating, evaluating and resolving unusual health conditions and issues of speech-language pathology. OR GS11: 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree A combination of education and experience that when combined fully meet the minimum qualifications for this position. The total percentage equals at least 100 percent to qualify for this GS-11 grade level. GS12: Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Performing a wide range of duties requiring advanced speech-language pathology, evidence-based medicine and data collection. Developing and implementing complex, goal-oriented treatment plans for patients presenting with multiplicity of dysfunction and impairment. Planning and implementing a video fluoroscopy program. Providing instruction on the use and maintenance of prosthetic and therapeutic devices. Developing department policies and procedures. Performing the full range of diagnostic tests and treatments for patients. Developin