Speech Language Pathologist

• Qualifications
  • Diploma from an ASHA accredited college or university in the field of Speech Language Pathology with a minimum of a M.S. degree.
  • Successful completion of supervised clinical practicum experiences from an educational institution, or its cooperating programs, that is approved by the Board of Examiners.
  • Successful completion of a nine-month postgraduate professional experience.
  • Passage of a national exam or any equivalent exam approved by the Board of Examiners.
• Must possess the ability to perform the following:
• Adheres to patient confidentiality/ HIPAA requirements at all times.
• Adheres to safe work practices (Universal Standard, SDS, equipment safety, patient handling, codes, OJI reporting, etc.)
• Accepts and treats assigned patient load according to acuity system.
• Utilizes supportive personnel to enhance individual and departmental productivity.
• Actively participates in budget planning process to ensure departmental needs are met and functions within final budget allocations.
• Utilizes non-patient care related time to assist others, to enhance professional growth, program development and other professionally related areas.
• Meets objective standards of productivity per venue/ assignment.
• Utilizes materials in manner that demonstrates cost effective objectives of department/ hospital.
• Takes responsibility for clinic equipment and environment to ensure cleanliness, safety and equipment tracking/maintenance.
• Adheres to hospital/departmental policies for attendance and punctuality.
• Actively participates in hospital/ departmental Quality Improvement initiatives.
• Comes to work ready and actively engaged.
• Strives to deliver highest quality of services by meeting/exceeding customer expectations.
• Demonstrates high moral and ethical values.
• Behaviors, actions and attitudes positively influence patients, families, visitors, physicians and co-workers.
• Maintains open/effective lines of communications (active listening) with all coworkers, patients, and other customers.
• Uses non-verbals that promote good working relationships with others (tone, facial expressions and body language).
• Interacts with others by giving positive feedback, using constructive criticism, and dealing with conflict in a positive/ non-defensive manner.
• Demonstrates personal accountability through acknowledgment and resolution of mistakes.
• Demonstrates flexibility to understand, accept and initiate change in the workplace that results in improvement.
• Promotes team spirit through a sense of humor, genuine respect for one another, consistent willingness to cooperate and assist others, and a positive attitude.
• Recognizes, acknowledges and respects each person’s unique contribution, professional role and opinion. Offers encouragement, support and appreciation.
• Works through any problems with individuals by going to the individual first, then following chain of command if needed.
• Able to reach a team decision in the best interest of the patient/ department through cooperation with co-workers, physicians and other staff.
• Adheres to departmental dress code presenting clean, professional appearance and demeanor.
• Completes accurately and by established deadline all departmental/hospital required competencies.
• Attends required department meeting or reviews and signs meeting minutes.

• Physical Requirements:
  • Perform all physical requirements of a full work day.
  • Cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position and set the proper example of such.
  • Must be in good general health and capable of maintaining regular attendance.
  • Must possess sight/hearing senses or use prosthetics allowing all requirements of position be met effectively with support personnel and agencies.
  • Must be capable of performing the Job Duties and Responsibilities of this position with or without accommodation and be able to pass a post-employment exam, if required.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Evaluates, plans, develops, revises and carries through patient program in accordance with physician objectives and patient needs in all settings. Upholds patient safety in all interactions.

EXPECTATIONS:

• Adheres to patient safety practices (patient identification, universal protocol, hand-off, etc.).
• Executes patient evaluation using professionally accepted standards based on the patient’s diagnosis. Tests and measures utilized are appropriate to the age of the patient from neonatal to geriatric.
• Completes evaluation according to departmental standard (time frames, goal establishment, discharge planning).
• Develops treatment program in accordance with identified patient needs, professional methodology and physician referral.
• Administers patient treatment program using accepted professional methodology per patient diagnosis.
• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care to patients ranging in age from infant to geriatric based on physical, psycho/social, educational, safety and related criteria which is appropriate for the age of the patient.
• Revises treatment program in accordance with documented patient needs.
• Demonstrates accurate and safe use of all Speech Therapy equipment used in patient treatment.
• Recommends, orders and issues patient equipment as appropriate per venue of care.
• Addresses discrepancies between physician referral and identified patient needs by contacting referring physician.
• Coordinates services with other Rehab Services departments.
• Assists with referral to agencies/services when appropriate.
• Identifies and refers appropriately those patients with age specific or specialty needs requiring expertise beyond individual experience base (ex: neonatal splinting).
• Utilizes a learner preference specific approach to patient and family education to capitalize on differing educational levels and varying learning styles of patients of all ages.
• Discharge planning addresses readiness for discontinuation of services and/ or need for services in alternate venues of care.

• Content of patient documentation meets all professional requirements and legal/ regulatory specifications.
• Completes evaluation, progress notes, patient education, problem list, reassessments and discharge summaries, etc. accurately according to department standard.
• Uses only approved abbreviations in all formal written communication.
• Obtains required physician approval for changes/ extension in treatment plan (3rd party dictates).
• Utilizes computer applications (Outlook, IMPACT, IDX, Microsoft, etc.) accurately and efficiently.

• Timeliness of patient related documentation adheres to departmental standards and legal/ regulatory requirements (Joint Commission, LCD, 3rd party payor, etc.).

Please send correspondence to [email protected]

Phone: 334-287-2635

Fax: 334-287-2107