Speech Language Pathologist

Speech-Language Pathologist Opportunity – VA Medical Center in Pittsburgh, PA

Description:  The VA in Pittsburgh seeks a highly qualified Speech-Language Pathologist (Clinical Specialist) to provide general administrative services and clinical oversight and execution of the Veterans Rural Health Resource Center funded project entitled Pittsburgh Aphasia Rehabilitation Training Network and Residency (PARTNeR): Expanding Intensive Aphasia Treatment for Rural and Underserved Areas.  

Among the most innovative and forward-looking in the nation, the VA in Pittsburgh provides exceptional healthcare to our nation’s Veterans, trains America’s future healthcare providers, and conducts research that contributes to medical advancements.

Duties include, but are not limited to: (Please visit USAJOBS - Job Announcement  for a more comprehensive list of duties)

General Clinical Responsibilities

• Applies a wide range of theories, principles, and methodologies in the practice of speech pathology to diverse patient populations;
• Manages complex and difficult patients with multiple physical, sensory, motor, cognitive, or other issues that complicate communication or swallowing, i.e. fitting and management of tracheoesophageal voice prostheses and laryngectomy tubes, assessing and treating ventilator-dependent and tracheostomized patients with one-way valves, and evaluating and treating oropharyngeal dysphagia in patients with surgical airways;
• Evaluates patients to determine the nature, type, and severity of speech, language, voice, cognitive, and swallowing disorders;
• Consults with physicians and other health care practitioners related to diagnostic evaluation and treatment;
• Documents in the medical record evaluation results, diagnoses, clinical opinion, treatment plans, outcomes of treatment, changes in functional status, and patient/family education;
• Attends interdisciplinary team meetings;

Clinical Specialist Program Responsibilities: PARTNeR Team Lead

• Provide at least 25% effort in the provision of clinical services to patients with aphasia, education, and administrative responsibilities of the PARTNeR Expanding Intensive Aphasia Treatment for Rural and Underserved Areas Project;
• Articulates and communicates goals, strategic objectives, and focused initiatives of the PARTNeR Team and establishes methods, best practices, and the program's policy and procedures;
• Guides team members with respect to VHA/VAPHS directives, internal policy, work methods and best practices;
• Plans, coordinates, and leads pre-PARTNeR candidate selection, PARTNeR session didactics and clinical training in the context of Asphasia Program service delivery and organizes and collects project outcome measures.
• Determines program enrollment for selected applicants based upon team findings/recommendations;
• Monitors and evaluates the work of the PARTNeR Team to make adjustments in procedures or practices to accomplish VHA/VAPHS goals;
• Prepares and disseminates required reports describing the findings, recommendations and corrective actions resulting from quality improvement activities to the ASP Service Chief.

Basic Requirements:

• A master’s degree in speech-language pathology, communications disorders, or a directly related field from an accredited college/university and one year of relevant experience, or
• A doctoral degree in speech-language pathology, communications disorders, or a directly related field from an accredited college/university.
• A full, current, and unrestricted license in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.

Benefits Highlights (please reach out to discuss full benefits package):

• Salary range: $106,914 - $138,992 per year
• Regular salary increases and annual performance bonuses.
• Up to 50 days of paid time off (13 - 26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 Federal holiday
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• Federal health/dental/vision/long-term care insurance offered.
• Three-tiered retirement plan: Social Security, Thrift Savings Plan (401k) up to 5% matching, and Federal Employee Retirement System (pension plan).

Pittsburgh Highlights:

• Family-friendly city with low cost of living and affordable housing in green, beautiful neighborhoods
• Abundant historical/cultural sites and events including the Carnegie Museums (Art, Natural History, Science, and Andy Warhol), a multitude of other visual/performing arts institutions, and a lively music scene featuring local, national, and international stars.
• Plenty of outdoor activities with green parks for hiking/biking (Schenley Park, Frick Park, and Highland Park) and rivers for canoeing and kayaking.
• If you are a sports fan, Pittsburgh is home to the Steelers, Penguins, and Pirates professional teams.
• Pittsburgh International Airport for ease of travel to your other favorite destinations.