SPEECH PATHOLOGIST- FT

Speech Pathologist- FT

Gibson City, IL 60936

Overview

Salary Range $42.00 - $50.00 Hourly Position Type Full Time

Description

General Summary

Reports to the Director of Therapy Services. Evaluates and provides treatment to individuals with various communication, swallowing and cognitive deficits/disorders.

Includes age specific needs and cultural considerations in the plans of care. Communicates effectively with internal and external customers, members of the clinical team, and members of the therapy department. Treats patients in the following settings: acute hospital, outpatient, swing beds, and long-term care.

Gibson Area Hospital & Health Services Mission Statement

To provide personalized, professional healthcare services to the residents of the communities we serve.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

1. Evaluates patient's speech/language/swallow/cognitive skills as related to his/her functional status, using standardized tests and measures. Incorporates pertinent medical information into the evaluation. Incorporates age-specific, language, and cultural needs into the individualized treatment plan.

2. Formulates individualized treatment plans consistent with objective findings. Establishes time based objective, and functional short and long-term goals.

3. Administers treatments and monitors each patient's responses to the treatments. Adjusts the treatment plan according to patient responses.

4. Complies with department documentation policy. Critical elements in documentation are thoroughness, timeliness, and legibility. Documentation includes clinical documentation, billing information, and staff development records.

5. Communicates effectively with patients, caregivers, physicians, members of the healthcare team, and therapy peers and director.

6. Discusses clinical findings, goals, and treatments with patients and when appropriate with families/caregivers. Involves patients' families in the evaluation and treatment process especially when working with pediatric patients. Ensures that instructions and conversations with the above individuals are understood by the involved parties.

7. Participates in discharge planning with patients/caregivers, physicians, nurses and social services personnel to promote timely and safe discharge arrangements.

8. Complies with all issues related to patient privacy.

9. Bills for therapy interventions accurately and ethically.

10. Assists in keeping work area clean, sanitary, and orderly.

11. Maintains knowledge of current trends and development in the field by reading appropriate books, journals, and other literature and attending related conferences and in-services.

12. Attends department staff meetings and participates in discussion. Attends all facility and department required educational sessions.

13. Supports the Hospital's and department's performance improvement efforts designed to enhance patient outcomes, increase patient satisfaction, and improve the utilization of the Hospital's human, capital and physical resources.

14. Complies with the organizational attendance policy and use of the electronic timekeeping system.

15. Utilizes time efficiently and productively to enhance patient care, department operations, and the financial success of the department and organization.

16. Will manage hours and any overtime will be preapproved by the Director.

17. Completes all competency/ skills assessment requirements.

18. Complies with dress code.

19. Completes other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Physical Requirements

1. Must have the physical strength to perform the following lifting tasks:

Floor to waist - 30 pounds

Waist to shoulder - 20 pounds

Shoulder to overhead - 10 pounds

Carry 30 pounds for 30 feet

Push 40 pounds/force for 30 feet

Pull 40 pounds/force for 15 feet

Reporting Relationship

1. Reports to the Director of Therapy Services.

2. May supervise work of volunteers and SLP graduate students.

Education, Knowledge, and Abilities Required:

1. Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide patient care appropriate to the age of the patients served in the settings of the health care continuum. Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development as well as the physical, emotional, and psycho-social needs of the patient population served.

2. Current Illinois state license as a Speech- Language Pathologist and Certification of Clinical Competency in Speech Language Pathology from ASHA or completing clinical fellowship year as required by ASHA.

3. Current cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification.

4. One year of previous experience in a health care setting is preferred to promote full knowledge of speech/language/swallowing/ and cognitive evaluation and treatment techniques, as well as video fluoroscopic swallow studies and their interpretations.

6. Emotional stability conducive to dealing with moderately stressful situations, and effective working relationships with customers, peers, department and organizational leadership, physicians and other health care providers.

7. Basic computer skills, including use of Microsoft Office, keyboard and mouse.

Infection Exposure Risk Level

Category 1- High Risk

The job exposes the clinician to potential blood, body fluids and tissues on a routine basis. It is recommended that the SLP get the Hepatitis B vaccine.

Working Conditions

1. Working in patient care areas where there are few discomforts due to the environmental temperature, dirt, dust, and noise. Occasionally faces extremes in temperatures as employee walks from clinic to hospital.

2. Works with patients and may be exposed to contagious diseases or infectious materials, but potential to personal harm and injury is limited when proper safety and health precautions and equipment are used.