Speech-Language Pathologist

Job Description

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Evaluates patients referred to speech therapy by completing initial profile within time standards per department protocol.
• Applies appropriate diagnostic and prognostic tests including but not limited to dysphagia, aphasia, language, voice, speech, and cognitive deficits.
• Standardized testing will include special tests to determine level of disability and track outcomes over the patient care experience.
• Performs a variety of therapeutic interventions including but not limited swallowing, voice, speech language, and cognitive skills.
• Establishes appropriate treatment plan with measurable and attainable goals and time frames by collaborating with patient, family and other members of the health care team including discharge planning.
• Selects and implements therapy activities per protocol including instructions; selects and revises therapy materials, equipment and activities to ensure that patient, family and therapy goals are met.
• Recognizes individual limitations and capabilities and utilizes available resources.
• Evaluates patient’s learning style and appropriately teaches patients skills and techniques required for participation in therapy/treatment.
• Consults with other team members to select the most appropriate activity and/or program for individual patients, based on patient needs and capabilities.
• Coordinates the work of other personnel by training, allocating and/or monitoring work.
• Communicates effectively to all patients, families, staff, physicians and other customers concerning treatment by direct verbal and/or written communication respecting confidentiality at all times.
• Consistently demonstrates flexibility as evidenced by floating to other area sites and flexible work schedules including weekends, holidays, and after hours.
• Supports completion of work volume through cross-training and performing other functions as required.
• Documents all patient care activities including evaluations, progress notes and detailed treatment records per standards of practice and regulatory/third party payer requirements.
• Facilitates preparation of patient schedules, billing charges and other reports per medical records procedure through timely completion of documentation per policy.
• On all documentation, utilizes descriptive, behavioral terms using correct grammar, organizationally approved abbreviations and medical terminology.
• Documents ongoing status, interventions, patient response and outcomes to correctly capture billing charges.
• Participates in personal, professional and program development by attending department in services, meetings and by sharing professional expertise to enhance quality of professional services and staff development.
• Assists in training speech pathology staff, students and other hospital personnel.
• Acts as a resource for new staff members and co-workers by sharing information and providing education.
• Adheres to professional code of ethics (ASHA) and to all accreditation and regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrates effective time management and is proactive in prioritizing workload and meeting productivity requirements.
• Adapts to rapidly changing technologies, policies, regulations, census and staffing through priority setting and flexibility.

Required Skills:

• Master’s degree in speech language therapy with a Certificate of Clinical Competence- Required.
• Current Certificate of Clinical Competency from the American Speech Language Hearing Association- Required.
• Current Speech Language Pathologist Certification with state of employment – Required.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) from American Heart Association- Required.

Preferred Skills:

• Two years of work experience providing direct patient care in an inpatient or outpatient setting preferred.
• Prior use of electronic medical records (EMR), preferred.