Job Information
Indian Health Service Speech/Language Pathologist - DE in Shiprock, New Mexico
Summary This position is located at Northern Navajo Medical Center, Physical Rehabilitation Services Branch, Shiprock, NM. The purpose of this position is to provide direct occupational therapy evaluation and treatment, education, and consultation for inpatients and outpatients 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. Incumbent reports to the Supervisory Occupational Therapist Responsibilities Provide 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. treatment plans for patients presenting with a multiplicity of dysfunction and impairments in physical, functional and adaptive areas 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. Develops and manages programs to address high risk, high volume, problem prone diagnoses Provides recommendations for continued treatment, home programs, reconditioning and provides guidance on physical health, functional and adaptive activities Provides consultation services on patient management, discharge planning, special equipment needs, and training as appropriate or as assigned This position is being announced concurrently under Excepted Service/Merit Promotion procedures. Please review vacancy announcement number IHS-24-NN-12540024-ESEP/MP for eligibility requirements. NOTE: Applicants must apply separately to each announcement in order to be considered. POSITION IS OPEN UNTIL FILLED - the vacancy will close when a selection is made. Your resume and any documents submitted will be retained for three months and may be used at any time during this period. After 3 months, you must reapply to this announcement in order to be considered. Requirements Conditions of Employment Must pass pre-employment examination. Selectee may be subject to a probationary period U.S. Citizenship is required Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 This is a designated position covered by Public Law 101-630, requiring contact or control over Indian children. Due to this requirement, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes. Confidential Financial Disclosure Form required. Measles and Rubella immunization required for selectees born after 1957 and seasonal influenza immunization is required for all staff working in Indian Health Service health care facilities. COVID-19 vaccination is required for all selectees prior to entrance on duty. The selected individual is required to obtain and maintain medical staff clinical privileges, including any licensure requirements. If privileges are not obtained or maintained during employment, the employee will be subject to adverse actions, up to and including removal from Federal service. On-call hours or standby duty may be required. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/. You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you. Background Investigation: If you are selected for this vacancy, you must undergo a pre-employment fingerprint check and background investigation. Fingerprint results and background investigation documentation must be cleared prior to hire. After you begin your employment, your continued employment is contingent upon the outcome of a complete background investigation as determined by the sensitivity level of your position. The investigation must find that you are suitable for Federal employment in your position. If you are found not suitable, you will be terminated after you begin work. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or subject to possible criminal charges. You may be subject to a credit check as a part of the background investigation process. 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. 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. 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. In addition to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below- MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: GS-11: Three (3) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; or, one (1) year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level. Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Professional knowledge of human communication to treat specific disorders of speech, language, and voice; provide instructions on the use and maintenance of prosthetic and therapeutic devices; evaluate the cause of communication disorders and swallowing problems in pediatric and adult patients; determine the cause of pathology of disorders and recommend preventative and remedial measures; provides clinical specialist consultation and chart review and services. GS-12: One (1) year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Your resume must demonstrate at least (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Examples include: Provide instruction on the use and maintenance of prosthetic and therapeutic devices; evaluate the case of communication disorders and swallowing problems in pediatric and adult patients; determine the cause of pathology of disorders and recommend preventative and remedial measures; works as a Clinical Specialist and advanced practice of Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) with an increased depth and breadth of practiced skills. Education This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: https://www.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 Per IHS policy (SGM 21-04) IHS selectees to positions located in Federally operated hospitals, health centers, and clinics must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before entry on duty or have IHS approve a medical or religious exemption. If an exemption is approved then wearing a face mask and regular testing for COVID-19 will be required. Your Human Resources Specialist will provide a list of documents acceptable as vaccination proof and instructions on how to submit your vaccination documentation or how to request a medical or religious exemption, if needed. Additional selection(s) of candidates may be possible within 240 days from the date the certificate of eligibles was issued for this announcement. 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. IHS may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their directly related previous non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. This position is covered by a Bargaining Unit. Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized. At least a 1-year service agreement will be required. No Government Housing The Indian Health Service (IHS), National Health Service Corps (NHSC), and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) have student loan repayment programs for qualifying health disciplines. This is a competitive process separate from the hiring process. Opportunities for LRP are based on agency hiring priorities and availability of funds. For additional information please visit: For IHS - https://www.ihs.gov/loanrepayment/ For NHSC - https://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loanrepayment/ For HRSA Nurse Corps - https://bhw.hrsa.gov/loansscholarships/nursecorps This position has promotion potential to the GS-12 grade level. Promotion to the next grade level is at management's discretion and is based on your demonstrated ability to perform the higher level duties, the continuing need for the higher level duties, and "Regulatory/Administrative" approval. Promotion to the next higher grade level is not guaranteed and no promise of promotion is implied.