Speech Therapist - PRN

Summary of Duties

Plans and implements specific speech-language pathology treatment programs for the individual patient according to standards of practice. Directs patient participation in selected activities to restore, reinforce, and enhance performance of communication and swallowing; facilitates the learning of those skills and functions essential for optimal functioning. Collaborates with interdisciplinary treatment team.

Essential Job Functions

* Provides diagnostic, evaluation, and therapeutic services to inpatients who have been referred by health care providers due to a concern about possible communication deficits and/or feeding/swallowing problems.

* Treats seriously impaired patients who have been determined to have deficits in the areas of language comprehension and/or expression, speech sound articulation, voice production, fluency or feeding/swallowing.

* Counsels patients and family members regarding patient's status and ways to facilitate more effective communication or eating in the home, school, work or community setting.

* Consults and collaborates with other health care professionals to develop appropriate and comprehensive health care plans for patients who have communication and/or feeding problems.

* Assists in video fluoroscopy and/or endoscopies of swallowing once appropriate level of clinical expertise obtained.

* Facilitates and/or participates in patient/family support groups as needed.

* Provides augmentative communication evaluations as well as treatment of patients with augmentative communication needs.

* Provides in-services for health care provider staff regarding relevant topics in communicative and/or feeding disorders in adults.

* Maintains reporting and charting systems related to patient evaluation, care and progress as required.

* Performs other duties as assigned.

Education

Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology required. Current licensure to practice as a Speech-Language Pathologist in the State of Alabama.

Experience

Minimum of two (2) years of hospital experience preferred.

Physical Requirements for Essential Job Functions

* Must be able to transport and/or lift an object intermittently throughout the work day up to a maximum of 20 pounds.

* Must be able to walk, stand, and work for extended periods of time without relief.

* Must possess dexterity of arms, hands, and fingers bilaterally.

* Must possess sight/hearing senses or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately so the requirements of this position can be fully met.