Speech-Language Pathologist, Acute Care, PRN position

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 and functional goals, using appropriate techniques.
• Monitors and evaluates outcomes; adjusts the treatment plan based on patient response 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 written home programs, patient/family teaching, referrals for community services, transition planning within the continuum of care, and ordering equipment as indicated.
• Communicates and collaborates with relevant stakeholders to achieve optimum patient care.
• Completes documentation per department policy and accreditation standards with appropriate co-signatures, including evaluations, progress notes, team conference reports, and discharge summaries.
• Records patient care and progress; completes daily statistics, billing, and scheduling; applies insurance guidelines regarding authorization and number of visits.
• Maintains site/department productivity standards and adheres to billing and documentation policies, procedures, and timelines.
• Maintains a clean and orderly treatment area, assists with equipment, and uses modalities, exercise equipment, and devices per department orientation; understands indications and contraindications of modalities.
• Promotes patient safety by participating in safety initiatives and following all infection control measures.
• Participates in performance improvement activities and manages assigned caseload; coordinates coverage with site leadership as needed.
• Pursues professional growth through continuing education, department in-services, and reading professional literature; orients new staff to clinical and department policies; participates in coworker evaluations as requested.
• May supervise non-licensed personnel in compliance with state and local requirements; delegates tasks to assistive personnel while maintaining responsibility for patient plan of care and goals; supports student clinical education with supervision of at least one student per year when available.

• Education
  :
  Master’s degree in Speech Pathology from an accredited program or educational requirements commensurate with graduation date; maintains continuing education requirements per state standards.
• Certification / Registration / License
  :
  Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist in the state of practice;
  Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers (within 90 days unless exempted);
  Certificate of Clinical Competence from ASHA or eligible for CFY.
• Work Experience
  :
  No experience required.
• Knowledge / Skills / Abilities
  :
  Intermediate computer skills; excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational abilities; strong decision-making and problem-solving skills; completes competency assessments aligned with site standards; maintains annual educational requirements for hospital certifications as applicable; demonstrates knowledge to provide care appropriate to patient age and developmental needs.

• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, lift, and squat during 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 and perform sliding transfers with a second person present (up to 150 lbs).
• Position requires repetitive use of hands, including simple grasping (5–15 lbs, 20% of the workday), pushing/pulling (75–100 lbs, 10%), and fine manipulation for massage and joint mobilization.
• Must have functional use of senses for effective communication; exposure to electrical/chemical hazards and body fluids; may require protective clothing.
• Position may require travel and exposure to road and weather hazards; operates all job-related equipment.