Speech Pathologist

SUMMARY

The Speech-Language Pathologist reports directly to the Clinical Manager and/or Assistant Clinical Manager (ACM) of their respective department and may receive clinical guidance from senior staff and/or clinical specialists. The Speech-Language Pathologist provides clinical services including screening, assessment, diagnosis, intervention, management, counseling/education, documentation, and referral for inpatients and outpatients demonstrating speech, voice, feeding, swallowing, language, and/or cognitive impairments.

Brown University Health employees are expected to successfully role model the organization's values of Compassion , Accountability , Respect , and Excellence as these values guide our everyday actions with patients, customers, and one another.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Communication

Demonstrates the highest level of communication and professionalism with patients, caregivers, rehabilitation staff, providers, and other health care professionals, both within the academic medical center and in the community.

• Exhibits effective and professional verbal and non-verbal communication

• Communicates clearly, respectfully, and honestly with patients and/or caregivers, and colleagues

• Communicates proactively with other caregivers involved in patients' care

• Adjusts communication and response to the level of understanding of the listener

Principal Duties

• Evaluates speech, voice, language, feeding/swallowing, and/or cognitive impairments

• Establishes diagnosis, prognosis, and individualized plans of care

• Implements treatment intervention based on plan of care, considering precautions, indications, and contradictions

• Directs and coordinates patients' rehabilitation plan of care

• Evaluates patients' progress and revises goals and plan of care accordingly

• Educates and trains patients/caregivers

• Anticipates and communicates discharge/home needs and resources

• Completes documentation and charges timely and accurately, in compliance with department policy

• Completes clinical documentation reflecting eligibility/medical necessity of services in compliance with professional and regulatory standards

• Consistently applies evidence-based practice to all aspects of clinical care

• Seeks additional guidance when necessary to assure safe and effective patient care

• Recommends and refers for additional diagnostic testing and/or services

• Develops, selects, and prescribes multimodal augmentative and alternative communication systems, including unaided strategies (e.g., manual signs/gestures) and aided strategies (e.g., speech-generating devices, manual communication boards, picture schedules)

• Selects, fits, and establishes effective use of appropriate prosthetic/adaptive devices for communication and swallowing (e.g., electrolarynges, speaking valves)

• Uses instrumental technology to diagnose and treat disorders of communication and swallowing (e.g., Videofluoroscopy for speech and swallowing, Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing, Videostroboscopy, Videnonasophagyngoscopy, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, computer technology)

• Services patients and their families/caregivers with hearing loss (e.g., auditory training for patients with cochlear implants and hearing aids; speech and language intervention secondary to hearing loss)

• Provides assessment and intervention for patients diagnosed with auditory processing disorders

• Screens patients for hearing loss or middle ear pathology using conventional pure-tone air conduction methods

• Modifies and/or enhances communication performance (e.g., accent modification, care and improvement of the professional voice)

Additional Duties

• Complies with hospital and departmental policies and guidelines

• Participates in strategic departmental quality improvement initiatives

• Provides education to other hospital departments/personnel, students, and outside agencies/schools

• Demonstrates ability to flex schedule based on department, patient, and/or caregiver need

• Determines priorities according to departmental and patient care need

• Participates in community-based professional events

• Participates in ongoing educational activities

• Supports and promotes departmental teamwork

• Completes mandatory departmental and hospital training on time

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

BASIC KNOWLEDGE

• Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from an accredited institution

• State License issued by the Rhode Island Department of Health, or Provisional Rhode Island State License for Clinical Fellows involved in supervised clinical fellowship year

• Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)

• For clinical fellows, evidence of pursuit of ASHA certification

EXPERIENCE

• One to two years' experience or eligibility for provisional license from the State of Rhode Island

• Clinical Fellows will be considered

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Fit for duty in accordance with OSHA standards and program specific needs

INDEPENDENT ACTION

• Performs independently within the department's policies and practices

• Refers specific complex problems to ACM and/or Clinical Manager when clarification of departmental policies and procedures is required

• Independently sets goals for professional development

• Membership and involvement in discipline-specific professional organization and/or other clinically relevant organization is strongly encouraged

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

• No direct supervision. However, pursuant to the state of Rhode Island Rules and Regulations for Licensing Speech-Language Pathologist, a licensed therapist shall at all times be responsible for the clinical supervision of supportive personnel, Clinical Fellows, and students to ensure the safety and welfare of patients, including cosigning notes, reviewing patient treatment plans and goals.

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EEO Statement:

Brown University Health is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and maintaining a work environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment.

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