Speech Language Pathologist / Speech Therapy

Speech Language Pathologist

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To perform evaluations, establish appropriate goals, formulate treatment plans, provide treatment interventions, maintain comprehensive documentation, and assist with coordination of care within the scope of practice of speech language pathology for pediatric patients in the inpatient, outpatient, and ambulatory care clinic settings.

Conducts communication &/or feeding assessments/reassessments according to department policy and procedure that are appropriate to area of service delivery and indication for service. Gathers and analyzes information obtained from diagnosis, indication, medical history and current status, chronologic/cognitive/developmental age, parent/caregiver/physician concern, past response to care. Analyzes information to plan for, select and provide a comprehensive, objective assessment of expressive/receptive communication skills &/or feeding and dysphagia skills that encompasses the components necessary for reporting diagnostic findings and developing clinical recommendations and plan of care related to the specific needs of the client. Performs assessments according to department policy on patients with receptive &/or expressive communication disorders as seen in pediatric populations & diagnoses. Performs clinical feeding assessments according to department procedure, as designated. Performs Oral Pharyngeal Motility Studies (OPM's) according to hospital procedure & to interpret OPM's accurately in coordination with the Radiologist to determine patient swallowing function/dysfunction, as designated. Perform flexible fiberoptic nasopharyngoscopy in coordination with Plastic Surgery and/or ENT.

Utilizes information gathered through assessment/reassessment of communication &/or feeding skills to develop a plan of care to include frequency of intervention, types of intervention, goal setting. Collaborates with patient, caregiver, and other healthcare providers in setting realistic goals and in developing a plan of care that is patient/caregiver focused and outcomes oriented. Identifies appropriate and measurable long term goals and short term goals for communication and/or feeding skill development that are realistic to the current status and expected outcomes. Continuously assesses, reassesses and modifies goals and plan of care based upon patient status, patient response to care, caregiver feedback and patient needs. Utilizes an Episodes of Care model from initial assessment through discharge.

Provides high quality patient care that reflects appropriate clinical reasoning, evidence based practice and that optimizes patient's potential for functional gains, improved quality of life, & increased care giver participation in the area of communication &/or feeding. Adequately prepares for sessions, beginning and ending on time. Includes caregivers in therapy sessions and provides education, strategies, techniques that can be incorporated into daily routines. Demonstrates good problem solving skills and ability to adapt without difficulty. Proactively pursues opportunities to collaborate with other healthcare professionals; provides and accepts information from all members of the multidisciplinary team to facilitate goal accomplishment. Utilizes effective communication skills with client, caregiver, professionals and other healthcare providers. Facilitates referrals to appropriate resources/agencies within the organization and community. Addresses patient attendance issues by educating on and enforcing the department policy and procedure.

Completes comprehensive documentation appropriate to the setting in which the speech therapy intervention occurs and according to hospital and department policy and procedure. Documentation clearly and concisely records patient status, plan of care, intervention provided, response to care, progress towards goals, patient/caregiver education/home program and need for continued intervention in the area of speech therapy. Ensures documentation is completed in a professional, timely manner and supports billed charges.

Assists team in providing programs, systems, processes that support high quality care, current clinical practice, outcomes measures, and fiscally responsible practice. Actively participates in team meetings by identifying opportunities for improvement & growth, sharing insight into topics under discussion, openly listening to ideas of others. Actively contributes towards the completion of new programs, projects, processes by volunteering to assist and completing assigned tasks/responsibilities within identified time frame. Supports decisions of team by incorporating new programs, systems, processes into current practice.

Facilitates growth and skill development of self, team, students and community. Openly and willingly shares knowledge and expertise with other team members. Utilizes internal and external resources to enhance own knowledge and skills. Prepares for and actively participates in educational opportunities provided within the department including presentations, article reviews, in-services, discussions. Assists with the orientation of new team members into the department and organization including student education and student observations to further promote the profession.

Regular attendance at work is an essential function of the job. Perform physical requirements as described in the Physical Requirements section.

Education Qualifications: Master's Degree from an accredited college or university in Communication Disorders/Speech Language Pathology Required.

Experience Qualifications: Experience working with pediatric patients or a pediatric clinical internship Preferred. If working with the craniofacial population, completion of a clinical fellowship year within the area of craniofacial anomalies and disorders or at least 5 years clinical experience with up to date evidence based practice within the context of craniofacial speech and language disorders. Required.

Skills and Abilities: Requires the ability to communicate effective, both verbally and in writing. Requires basic computer skills. Requires the ability to organize responsibilities and manage time wisely. Requires the ability to work effectively in a team setting.

Licenses and Certifications: Basic Life Support from the American Heart Association Current and valid Basic Life Support (BLS) through the American Heart Association Upon Hire Required and Speech Pathologist a temporary license is acceptable if candidate is still within their clinical fellowship year Upon Hire Required and Certification of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology from American Speech-Language Association (ASHA within 1 Year Required and Would consider candidate completing Clinical Fellowship Year; Certification of Clinical Competency Required. If working with craniofacial disorders, membership with American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA) within 90 Days Required.

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