Speech Therapist- outpatient pediatrics

Major Responsibilities:

Interprets physician referrals, as appropriate, and conducts a speech and language evaluation of patients with various speech, language, voice, cognitive and swallowing disorders.  Demonstrates advanced evaluation, assessment and treatment skills with complex patients or specific diagnosis or program area.

Establishes a 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 team mates as necessary for patient care. Identifies factors affecting patient's physical and psychosocial comfort and attends to these needs.  Recognizes potential issues and the need to advocate for patient by working with the physician and/or key professionals.  Acts as a department and system wide resource within area of Clinical Specialization for treatment plans and outcomes.

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 to record patient care and progress of each patient assigned: including patient evaluations, progress notes, team conference reports, and discharge summaries as appropriate. Completes daily statistics, billing and scheduling per department policy. Applies insurance guidelines regarding authorization and number of visits. Responsible for maintaining site/department established productivity standards. Serves as a role model in documentation. 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, transferring 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 and exercise.  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.

Acts as a clinical resource for the department and the system and acts as liaison to physicians/program leadership in area of expertise. Establishes and maintains liaisons with physicians to promote programs and address any physician questions/concerns. Mentors and facilitates clinical problem solving with other staff.  Develops training and/or clinical guidelines, implements staff orientation, competency and educational activities in area of expertise.  Promotes and develops rehabilitation programs, leads program or referral development projects, and develops and presents educational programs to the community (i.e. industry, schools, etc.). Collaborates effectively with leadership in developing and upgrading existing programs and services at the site and/or system level.

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 and consistently introduces new ideas for consideration and implementation.  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 and educational requirements commensurate with the date of graduation.  Maintains continuing education requirements as mandated by applicable state professional standards.

Certification / Registration / License

Licensed Speech Language Pathologist 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) by American Heart AHA; Certificate of Clinical Competence from American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA). 

The senior level clinician should have certification within an area that directly impacts their scope of practice within 18 months, or advanced knowledge, as determined by the advancement application approved by Rehab Leadership.

Certifications must be provided by a professional association, certifying body or institution authorized to award the industry accepted certification within the practitioner’s field of specialization.

Work Experience

Requires 5 years of experience with preferred 7 years of experience in speech therapy, as determined by Rehab leadership. Speech and Language Pathologist position at a hospital, outpatient, or other relevant setting.  Clinical expertise in specific area of rehabilitation; specialized area/skill noted by advance certification as determined by the Rehab Leadership.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organization skills

Demonstrates ability to be flexible and problem solve, making frequent independent decisions.

Good human relations and organization skills required.  Displays initiative, versatility, and positive interpersonal skills

Consistent and dependable in work performance.

Independence in providing advanced level of clinical skills and expertise

 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.