SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST II

Under the direction of the Department Director, the Speech Language Pathologist II (SLP II) provides language, speech, and swallowing evaluations, treatment planning, and treatments in a fast-paced, public, acute care, level-one trauma center. The patient population served is from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, of all ages, and includes inpatients and outpatients. While the position is primarily patient care, other responsibilities include supervision and training of junior staff and students as delegated, and to take a leadership role for coordinating SLP team activities. Intervention focus, includes Intensive Care Unit (ICU) care, performing beside evaluations, and conducting video fluoroscopic swallow studies. The SLP II will have excellent written, verbal, and nonverbal communication skills with patient's care givers, other healthcare professionals, students, and other professional affiliates.

TYPICAL DUTIES

• Gathers, interprets and summarizes medical, evaluation and treatment information from a variety of a sources into appropriate patient documentation according to department documentation policies.
• Performs appropriate, thorough and timely diagnostic speech, language and/or swallowing evaluations, including video fluoroscopic swallow evaluations, for all assigned adult and/or pediatric patients.
• Develops and performs appropriate treatment programs with subsequent modifications/updating of goals as needed and provides patient/family education and/or counseling.
• Determines the need for communicative assistive devices and/or home activities; develops basic devices and/or activities; and provides ongoing follow-up of their appropriateness and effectiveness.
• Demonstrates familiarity of the purpose and functioning of departmental equipment and supplies and utilizes them appropriately.
• Completes accurate record keeping and documentation in a timely manner, according to Department policies and procedures, including, but not limited to, clinical records, patient billing, statistics, and schedules.
• Serves as a referral resource for patients requiring other services.
• Adheres to the policies and procedures of the Rehabilitation Services Department, Hospital, and System.
• Participates in quality assurance problem identification, data provision and peer review programs of the department.
• Functions as a contributing team member within the department and takes an organizational and leadership role in SLP team activities.
• Develops and carries a full patient load.
• Reports problems/other important information to supervisor.
• Communicates effectively with patients, families, staff and other personnel.
• May be given additional responsibilities for the following areas: safety, quality improvement, infection control, orderliness, protocols, clinical equipment standards, and competencies.
• Work environment requires flexibility, initiative, and the ability to prioritize tasks when dealing with limited resources and/or unanticipated occurrences such as staff absences and fluctuating workload. Provides coverage for other areas when other staff members are absent.
• Communicates issues with supervisor regarding activities, progress, problems etc.
• Positively supports and participates in Department professional activities.
• Complies with all department, hospital, and regulatory agency policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Assists to maintain work area and keep facility tidy, organized, presentable, and clean.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to the System Director of Rehabilitation Services

• Meet the minimum qualifications for the position.
• Identify self as a Veteran on the employment application by answering yes to the question by answering yes to the question, "Are you a Military Veteran?"
• Attach a copy of their DD 214, DD 215 or NGB 22 (Notice of Separation at time of application filing. Please note: If you have multiple DD214s, 215s, or NGB 22S, Please submit the one with the latest date. Coast Guard must submit a certified copy of the military separation from either the Department of Transportation (Before 9/11) or the Department of Homeland Security (After 9/11). Discharge papers must list an Honorable Discharge Status. Discharge papers not listing an Honorable Discharge Status are not acceptable.