Position Summary / Career Interest:

The SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST (SLP) evaluates for, plans, and implements specific treatment programs for individual patients ranging in age from newborn to geriatric with acquired or congenital impairments in cognition, communication, or swallowing functions for the purpose of training or restoring the highest possible level of functional independence. The Speech-Language Pathologist conducts video swallow evaluations in the Radiology Department with a Radiologist and the necessary Radiology Department staff. The Speech-Language Pathologist collaborates with the members of the interdisciplinary care team; prepares written documentation pertaining to patient evaluation and treatment sessions; schedules patient treatments and meetings; supervises the work of Rehabilitation Aides and Student Speech-Language Pathologists; assists in preparing and conducting inservice training and continuing education programs; and may participate in Performance Improvement activities and processes.


Responsibilities and Essential Job Functions

• Conducts Speech-Language Pathology evaluation in accordance with education, training, professional codes of ethics and standards, and department policy and procedure.  Conducts patient interview and evaluates patients to determine the nature and extent of impairment in the areas of speech, language, voice, fluency, cognition, and dysphagia.  Makes appropriate recommendations for medical referrals, Audiology services, or follow-up by other professionals. The SLP informs patients and/or family of test results and recommendations. Plans treatment programs based on assessment of available patient data.
• Establishes and carries out treatment programs based on evaluation results and ongoing reassessments of the patient.  Administers Speech-Language Pathology treatment which may include but is not limited to administering Speech-Language Pathology treatment, making recommendations to improve communication and swallowing skills, evaluating effects of treatments and adjusts treatments to achieve optimal benefits, and is responsible for recommending adaptive and assistive equipment.
• Educates nursing personnel, patients, and families, and professional staff, including  Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology, Social Service, and Nutritional Care staff as to the objectives of Speech Language Pathology.  Enlists the aid of other professionals in observing patient's speech and swallowing patterns and carrying out suggestions made by the SLP.  Informs patient and family of problems, goals, estimated completion date, and treatment plan.  Instructs patient and family in home management procedures.
• Confers with physicians and other health care practitioners to obtain additional patient information, suggest revisions in treatment programs and Integrate Speech-Language Pathology treatment with other aspects of patient health care.
• Manages patient schedule to maximize efficiency and productivity (toward SLP target) and works to reduce cancellations and other situations that reduce the ability to meet patient's needs.
• Prepares written documentation pertaining to patient evaluation and treatment sessions per Department Policy and Procedure by recording the initial functional and clinical status of the patient in the evaluation report, which also includes problems, goals, estimated completion date, and treatment plan, recording progress of the patient through daily and weekly progress reports, recording the discharge status of the patient through completion of a discharge  report, and keeping outpatient charts are neat and contain all required referrals, forms, and information based on the patient's case.
• Completes and hands in end user audit reports and volume reports on the date of service and completes accurate charging of patient based on services provided, number of evaluations, screens, and hours in meetings, and number of visits, units billed, and cancellations.
• Supervises work of Rehabilitation Aides, through orienting, instructing, and directing work activities of Rehabilitation Aides as pertains to their assistance in patient treatment programs and department operations."
• Must be able to perform the professional, clinical and or technical competencies of the assigned unit or department.
• These statements are intended to describe the essential functions of the job and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. Skills and duties may vary dependent upon your department or unit. Other duties may be assigned as required.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelors Degree in Speech Pathology

Preferred Education and Experience

• Previous healthcare experience

Required Licensure and Certification

• Licensed Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) - State Department for Aging and Disability Services (Health Occupations Credentialing) upon Hire
• CPR/ AED/ BLS - Other BLS within 14 days

We are an equal employment opportunity employer without regard to a person’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and sexual orientation), national origin, ancestry, age (40 or older), disability, veteran status or genetic information.