Speech Language Pathologist PRN | St. Rita's Medical Center Inpatient

The Speech Language Pathologist works to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders in children and adults. They perform patient evaluations, and re-evaluations, regarding the application of a wide variety of therapeutic techniques with special attention to receptive and expressive language skills, speech fluency, vocal and oral motor competence, articulation, and auditory skills. The Speech Language Pathologist establishes patient treatment plans based upon the referral from the physician/referral source.

Essential Job Functions

• ​Reviews physician referral, patient’s condition, and medical history to determine speech and language therapy treatment needs.

• Performs and documents patient evaluation, re-evaluation and develops treatment and discharge plans based on patient history, signs and symptoms and evaluative tests/tools.
• Plans and administers medically prescribed speech language pathology treatments to patients.
• Plans rehabilitative treatment programs based upon physician prescription and evaluation data to treat disorders of verbal written language, voice articulation, fluency interactive communication, mastication, deglutition, auditory and/or visual processing and memory and cognition / communication.
• Instructs and/or trains patient and family/caregiver in treatment procedures to continue at home.
• Modifies treatment goals and plan of care as appropriate. Communicates with other health team members. Involved with patient care conferences as appropriate.
• Instructs, motivates, and assists patient and family to perform various speech activities.
• Responsible for overall management of patient cases including communication and coordination of care with treatment team.
• Precepts in the direction and evaluation of clinical experience / internship of students from participating colleges or universities.
• Orients, instructs and directs the work activities of Clinical Fellowship Year, aides, students and volunteers set forth in policies and procedures.
• Attends and participates in scheduled meetings and in-services. Attends and provides in-services to department staff to share specialization of knowledge and continuing education.

This document is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, or working conditions associated with the job. Employees may be required to perform other job-related duties as required by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation.

Licensing/Certification

Licensed as a Speech Language Pathologist in the state of current practice (required)

Certificate of Clinical Competence Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) (preferred at hire, required within one year)

BLS Basic Life Support (preferred upon hire, required within 30 days for BSMH, required at hire for RSFH)

Work Experience

2 years of experience in equivalent setting (preferred)

Training

None

Language

None

Patient Population

 _ X    Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assigned unit.

    X     Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development of the life span and possesses the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interprets the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his or her age, specific needs and to provide the care needed as described in departmental policies and procedures.​

   X      Neonates (0-4 weeks)

  X       Infant (1-12 months)

  X       Pediatrics (1-12 years)

   X      Adolescents (13-17 years)

   X      Adults (18-64 years)

   X      Geriatrics (65 years and older)

         Not applicable to this position

Working Conditions

   X      Periods of high stress and fluctuating workloads may occur.

   X    Long-distance or air travel as needed- not to exceed 10% travel.

   X      General office environment.

   X      May be exposed to high noise levels and bright lights.

  X       May be exposed to physical altercations and verbal abuse.

  X      May be exposed to limited hazardous substances or body fluids.*

    X     May be required to use physical restraints.

  X       May be exposed to human blood and other potentially infectious materials.* 

   X      May be exposed to adverse weather conditions; cold, hot, dust, wind, etc.

   X      May have periods of constant interruptions.

   X      Required to car travel to off-site locations, occasionally in adverse weather conditions.

   X      Prolonged periods of working alone.

____ Other:                                

____ Not applicable to this position                                                    

* Individuals in this position are required to exercise universal precautions, use personal protective equipment and devices, and learn the policies concerning infection control.

Physical Requirements

Physical Demands

Frequency                                              0%                  1-33%                 34-66%                 67-100%

Lifting/ Carrying (0-50 lbs.)                                              X                                                                    

Lifting/ Carrying (50-100 lbs.)                                     X                                                                       

Push/ Pull (0-50 lbs.)                                                                                       X                                     

Push/ Pull (50-100 lbs.)                                               X                                                                          

Stoop, Kneel                                                                                                                                      X    

Crawling                                                                             X                                                                      

Climbing                                                                           X                                                                        

Balance                                                                                X                                                            X        

Bending                                                                                                             X                                   

Work Position

Frequency                                               0%                  1-33%                 34-66%                 67-100%

Sitting                                                                                                                                               X     

Walking                                                                                                             X                                    

Standing                                                                                                            X                                    

Additional Physical Requirements/Hazards

X       Manual dexterity (eye/hand coordination)

         Perform shift work

         Maneuver weight of patients

   X      Hear alarms/telephone/audio recordings

   X      Reach above shoulder

    X     Repetitive arm/hand movements

    X     Finger Dexterity

        Color Vision

  X       Acuity – far

   X      Acuity – near

____ Not applicable to this position                                                                             

Hazards

         Depth perception

   X      Use of Latex products

   X      Exposure to toxic/caustic/chemicals/detergents

         Exposure to moving mechanical parts

   X      Exposure to dust/fumes

    X     Exposure to potential electrical shock

  X       Exposure to x ray/electromagnetic energy

         Exposure to high pitched noises

    X     Gaseous risk exposure

         Other:                              

____ Not applicable to this position                                                                             

Skills

• Demonstrates appropriate application of age specific standards, policies and procedures and guidelines in caring for pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients
• Demonstrates general computer skills including data entry, word processing, email, and records management.
• Analytical abilities to evaluate patient condition, capabilities and progress. 
• Interpersonal skills necessary to effectively interact with co-workers, physicians, patients and families. 
• Requires the ability to work well with all levels of patients, the public and other health care professionals.    

• Demonstrates critical thinking skills.
• Effective organizational and time management skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize, meet deadlines, and complete complex tasks.
• Ability to maintain quality, safety, and/or infection prevention standards.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to maintain proper levels of confidentiality of all work related and sensitive information.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with people of various cultural and educational backgrounds.