Supervisory Speech-Language Pathologist

Summary

The Supervisory Speech-Language Pathologist is responsible for ensuring the delivery of safe, timely, high-quality, evidence-based, Veteran-Centered Audiological care. Provides Clinical Leadership/Administrative oversight of Audiology staff; establishes/maintains standards of practice; monitors program performance; develops & implements policies and procedures; ensures compliance with (VHA) directives, applicable professional standards, accreditation requirements, and federal regulations.

Duties

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Major Duties Include but are not Limited to:

• Provides clinical and administrative leadership for the Audiology program and ensures effective delivery of comprehensive audiological services to Veterans.
• Establishes, implements, and monitors clinical standards, practices, workflows, and procedures consistent with current evidence, professional standards, and VHA requirements
• Provides expert consultation regarding complex audiological conditions, diagnostic evaluations, hearing rehabilitation, amplification, cochlear implant-related services, tinnitus management, vestibular assessment, and other services within the scope of Audiology practice.
• Ensures that Audiology services are delivered in a safe, ethical, Veteran-centered, and culturally responsive manner.
• Oversees the coordination and integration of Audiology services across the medical center, Fredericksburg HCC, and CBOCs.
• Promotes access to care and appropriate utilization of Audiology services while identifying barriers that affect timely Veteran care.
• Serves as the senior Audiology subject matter expert for facility leadership and interdisciplinary clinical teams.
• Ensures appropriate use, maintenance, and clinical application of audiological equipment and technology.
• Supports implementation of emerging technologies, evidence-based practices, and innovative approaches that improve access, outcomes, and Veteran experience.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm

Telework: Adhoc -May be approved at Management discretion

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorizes

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• 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.
• English Language Proficiency: SLP candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. a7 7403(f).
• 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.
• Foreign Education: To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials.
• 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. a7 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.

Failure to Obtain Licensure. In all cases, graduate SLP must actively pursue obtaining the required licensure from the date of their appointment. The Human Resource office staff will provide the unlicensed SLP written requirement to obtain licensure, the date by which the license must be acquired and the consequences for not becoming licensed by the deadline. The written notice must be provided prior to the entrance on duty date. Failure to obtain the required credentials by the prescribed date may result in termination of employment.

Loss of Credential: Management officials, in collaboration with HR Office staff, must immediately relieve employees of the duties and responsibilities associated with the occupation who fail to maintain the required certification, both current and in good standing, which may result in separation from employment. An SLP who has, or has ever had, their SLP license revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited or issued/placed in a 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: Completion of one year of professional experience comparable to the next lower level at the GS-12 Level.

Preferred Experience:

• Demonstrates clinical expertise in comprehensive audiological evaluation and management, including diagnostics, hearing rehabilitation, tinnitus care, vestibular assessment, and cochlear implant related services.
• Leadership experience in a complex healthcare environment, including supervision, program management, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Experience with quality management, patient safety, and High Reliability Organization (HRO) practices, including performance improvement and risk mitigation.
• Familiarity with VHA policies, accreditation requirements, regulatory standards, and federal healthcare operations.
• Experience analyzing clinical and operational data to drive program development and efficiency.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

• Skill in applying effective management practices to direct the work of organizational units within a service.
• Skill in communicating established performance benchmarks to a service or equivalent organizational department.
• Skill in implementing continual performance improvement activities to meet performance benchmarks.
• Skill in conflict resolution in dealing with employees.
• Ability to analyze data to manage workload, quality, performance and productivity within the service.

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-13.

Physical Requirements: Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.

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 for 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.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.