Speech Pathology Specialist - Head & Neck

Overview

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is an independent, nonprofit organization providing adult cancer treatment and groundbreaking research focused on cancer and infectious diseases. Based in Seattle, Fred Hutch is the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Washington.

With a track record of global leadership in bone marrow transplantation, HIV/AIDS prevention, immunotherapy and COVID-19 vaccines, Fred Hutch has earned a reputation as one of the world's leading cancer, infectious disease and biomedical research centers. Fred Hutch operates eight clinical care sites that provide medical oncology, infusion, radiation, proton therapy and related services, and network affiliations with hospitals in five states.

Together, our fully integrated research and clinical care teams seek to discover new cures to the world s deadliest diseases and make life beyond cancer a reality.

At Fred Hutch we value collaboration, compassion, determination, excellence, innovation, integrity and respect. Our mission is directly tied to the humanity, dignity and inherent value of each employee, patient, community member and supporter. Our commitment to learning across our differences and similarities make us stronger. We seek employees who bring different and innovative ways of seeing the world and solving problems.

Under the general direction of the Sr. Manager, Rehabilitation Services, the Speech Pathology Specialist is responsible for providing speech language pathology services to Fred Hutch patients with communication and swallowing disorders. Besides clinical duties, the Speech Pathology Specialist is responsible for maintaining thorough documentation of services to patients and also serves as a clinical resource to all Fred Hutch departments and clinicians.

Facilitates referrals to internal and community resources as appropriate.

• Evaluating, planning, directing, and administering treatment to Fred Hutch patient with communication and swallowing disorders, specifically with expertise in head neck and thoracic cancer patient populations
• Maintaining patient documentation per institutional and payor requirements
• Evaluating treatment goals and progress towards these goals.
• Provide education and home program training for patients and their family/caregivers
• Collaborates with other disciplines as appropriate to coordinate continuity of patient care
• Make recommendations for equipment and product ordering associated with service and appropriate labeling, storage, and organization of equipment and products
• Provides leadership for care coordination within scope of clinical program
• Actively participates in programmatic quality improvement projects
• Effectively collaborates with physicians and speech-language pathologists across sites for continuity of care
• Completes other duties as assigned by Rehabilitation Services Sr. Manager to meet the mission of the program, including but not limited to educational lectures, student instruction, networking with other clinical services, and volunteer supervision

Required:

• Master's degree in Speech Language Pathology or Communication Sciences and Disorders.
• WA State DOH License in speech-language pathology by start date.
• Current BLS AHA Health Provider Card (or equivalent course, such as by the American Red Cross) and renewal required every two years
• At least 3 years of clinical experience including the management of complex head-neck oncology patients; OR 2 years of clinical experience including specialty post-graduate clinical fellowship within a multidisciplinary otolaryngology or head-neck oncology practice.
• Proficiency in performing and interpreting flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) and video-fluoroscopic swallow studies (VFSS/MBSS).Experience working with laryngectomy population including alaryngeal speech restoration and voice prosthesis management.
• Demonstrates behaviors that are consistent with Fred Hutch's Mission and Values
• Follows organizational and departmental policies and procedures
• Displays excellent customer service and relations skills
• Communicates concisely and effectively, both orally and written, with co-workers, physicians, patients, and caregivers
• Ability to promote and maintain excellent interpersonal relationships
• Ability to demonstrate flexibility, attention to detail, and work under pressure
• Ability to adapt to rapidly changing and stressful situations including balancing the need for quality of work with the need to respond to workload
• Ability to take initiative in identifying and resolving problems and participating in making improvements for the purpose of improving quality of care and services
• Ability to be proactive, use strategic thinking and sound judgment to accomplish tasks
• Accepts responsibility for all aspects of the position
• Demonstrates ability to work independently to perform job duties and refers appropriate questions and/or decisions to their supervisor
• Works well with team members toward a common purpose; reinforces the…