Speech Language Pathologist (ST) – Acute Care Rehabilitation

Major Responsibilities:

Interprets physician referrals and conducts a speech and language evaluation of patients with various speech, language, voice, cognitive and swallowing disorders. 

Establishes a written plan of care and implements individual treatment based on evaluation results, functional goals and by utilizing appropriate techniques. Monitors and evaluates outcomes and appropriately adjusts the individualized treatment plan based on the patient's response to treatment and provides status updates to physicians and other teammates.  Identifies factors affecting patient's physical and psychosocial comfort and attends to these needs.

Plans for and completes patient discharge including providing written home programs, patient/family teaching, referral for community services, transition planning within the continuum of care and ordering equipment as indicated/appropriate. Communicates and collaborates with appropriate stakeholders to assist in achieving optimum care for the patient.

Completes all required documentation following department policy and accreditation standards with appropriate co- signatures, including patient evaluations, progress notes, team conference reports, and discharge summaries as appropriate. Record patient care and progress of each patient assigned. Completes daily statistics, billing, and scheduling. Applies insurance guidelines regarding authorization and number of visits. Responsible for maintaining site/department established productivity standards.  Responsible for understanding and adhering to all billing and documentation policies, procedures, and timelines.

Responsible for cleaning up after patient treatment, putting away equipment, and keeping area neat and orderly. Performs various manual techniques, patient positioning and transporting duties, which require lifting and pushing/pulling, while utilizing proper technique.  Demonstrates skill in use of modalities, exercise equipment and other devices that are available in area worked per department orientation checklist.  Demonstrates knowledge of indications and contraindications of modalities. Promotes patient safety by participating in safety initiatives as requested and appropriately follows all safety and infection control measures pertaining to the general working environment.

Participates in performance improvement activities designed to identify and resolve problems affecting patient care outcomes and to improve quality of care.  Manages assigned caseload, informing site leadership of coverage needs and ability to cover; assists with coverage, based on department needs and regional needs.

Pursues professional growth through participation in continuing education courses, department in-services, and reading professional literature.   Orients new staff to clinical and department policies as requested.  Participates in the evaluation process of co-workers by providing verbal or written feedback as requested. 

May supervise non-licensed personnel following all applicable state and local compliance requirements.  Includes delegating patients to assistive personnel while providing direction, recommendations regarding treatment and ongoing supervision while maintaining responsibility for patient plan of care and goals.   Supports the student clinical education program by monitoring, observing, and providing work direction to a minimum of one student per year unless students are unavailable.

Minimum Job Requirements

Education

Master’s degree in Speech Pathology from an accredited school or educational requirements commensurate with the date of graduation; maintains continuing education requirements as mandated by applicable state professional standards

Certification / Registration / License

Speech Language Pathology license issued by the state of Wisconsin or Illinois; must be licensed in the State in which you work. Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers (obtained within 90 days unless department leader has determined is not required) American Heart Association.  Certificate of Clinical Competence from American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) or Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY) eligible.

Work Experience

No experience required

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

Intermediate computer skills

Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organization skills

Excellent organization, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.

Successfully completes all competency assessments/requirements pertaining to provision of patient care and consistent with site standards.

Team members will maintain annual educational requirements for hospital-based certifications (e.g. DNV, CARF or others).

Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served.  Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

Must be able to sit, stand, walk, lift, and squat throughout the workday

Must be able to:

lift up to 50 lbs. from floor to waist.

lift up to 10 lbs. from waist to overhead.

lift and carry up to 40 lbs. at waist height a reasonable distance

Must be able to: 

push/pull with 30 lbs. of force.

perform a sliding transfer of 150 lbs. with a second person present

Position requires repetitive use of hands:

Simple grasping – 5-15 lbs. – 20% of the workday.

Pushing/pulling – up to 75-100 lbs. – 10% of the day

Fine manipulation of hands during massage and joint mobilization

Must have functional use of senses to allow for effective communication

Exposed to electrical and chemical hazards as well as blood and body fluids; therefore, must have ability to wear protective clothing as needed

Position may require travel; therefore, may be exposed to road and weather hazards

Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job

DISCLAIMER

All responsibilities and requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only responsibilities to be performed by an employee occupying this job or position.  Employees must follow any other job-related instructions and perform any other job-related duties requested by their leaders.