Supervisory Speech Pathologist

The Supervisory Speech Pathologist (Service Chief) will serve as the Chief, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) Service at the Cincinnati VA Medical Service which includes oversight, planning and development of all Service functions and programs.

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 or university and one year of creditable experience.

1. 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.
• English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C., 7403(f).

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

(1) Experience: In addition to the Basic Requirements at the GS-13 level, completion of one year of professional experience comparable to the new lower grade.

(2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience requirements, the candidate must demonstrate al of the following KSAs:

1. Skill to translate management goals and objectives into efficient service operations.
2. Skill in providing clinical and administrative oversight of service operations within complex facilities and/or multiple sites.
3. Skill in conflict resolution to facilitate positive working relationships between employees, team leaders and management.
4. Ability to effectively collaborate with local, VISN and national leadership.

(3) Assignment: For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Service Chiefs at this level are responsible for managing unified audiology and speech-language pathology service or equivalent organizational units in a large, complex or multi-site medical center. They ensure that services provided are of high quality and are consistent with contemporary and evidence-based clinical practice. In providing direction for a specialized and complex service-level department, Service Chiefs formulate objectives and priorities and implement plans consistent with the organization's long-term interest, capitalizing on opportunities and managing risks. Service Chiefs must demonstrate active problem and conflict resolution skills and maintain effective interdepartmental relationships to accomplish the medical facility's mission and goals. Service Chiefs manage budgets, determine resource needs, allocate resources and ensure appropriate service productivity, efficiency and cost-effectiveness. They perform supervisory duties such as preparing personnel actions, performance management; planning, scheduling performance; and recommending clinical privileges or scope of practice. Service Chiefs ensure orientation and training programs are established for staff development and oversee academic affiliations, internship and fellowship programs.

Preferred Experience

• 3-5 years in Federal Healthcare managing a medium to large section and/or service; experience as a site/program director for American College of Graduate Medical Education programs with affiliated universities and health professions trainees through OAA.
• An understanding of complex accreditation requirements for rehabilitation programs within the purview of the Rehabilitation Service Line.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit

The full performance level of this vacancy is 14.

Physical Requirements: Physical requirements are those physical, mental and emotional capabilities and characteristics that are essential for successful job performance. Physical requirements must be clearly supported by the actual duties of the position and documented in the position description or functional statement, and supported by a studies or evaluations establishing physical requirements is job-related to the occupations. An applicant or employee may not be disqualified arbitrarily on the basis of physical requirements or other criteria that do not relate specifically to performance of the duties of a specific position.