Speech Therapist II - NICU/Feeding (PRN)

Speech Therapist II - NICU/Feeding (PRN)

Practicing independently within the scope of licensure, the Speech Therapist II provides goal directed Speech and Language Pathology evaluation, treatment, and discharge planning. Provides initial and ongoing assessment of patients, delivering safe and competent speech therapy interventions. Evaluates patient's abilities and limitations to develop a therapeutic plan for patients with speech, language or cognitive disorders. The Speech Therapist II independently manages a full caseload and demonstrates consistent, sound clinical reasoning skills and decision-making abilities. This role applies established clinical knowledge and skills to provide effective, efficient care and reliably meet departmental standards for quality of care delivery and productivity. Responsibilities include adhering to established clinical protocols and standards of practice, ensuring high-quality patient care, and collaborating with interdisciplinary care teams, family members, and caregivers to coordinate effective, patient-centered treatment plans. The Speech Therapist II contributes to a collaborative learning environment by providing day-to-day guidance and mentorship to students and colleagues, particularly in areas of individual clinical strength.

Essential Functions:

• Patient Care: Provides safe, evidence-based speech therapy by performing and documenting a thorough evaluation of patients' communication, cognitive, swallowing and other related abilities. All evaluations conform to departmental, hospital, and professional standards. Develops goals for treatment and individualized plans of care appropriately based on specific problems identified by evaluation. Goals are objective, measurable, reasonable, and described in functional or behavioral terms. Communicates exam findings and proposed interventions, risks, benefits, and treatment alternatives to patients and caregivers, and regularly reassesses and adjusts treatment plans to maximize outcomes. Performs treatment within accepted professional guidelines. The treatment used is appropriate to the diagnosis and is modified to meet the changing needs or changing response to therapeutic intervention. Implements therapeutic techniques and compensatory strategies to maximize patient independence and functional outcomes.
• Documentation: Completes timely, accurate, and compliant documentation of evaluations, treatment sessions, care plans, and discharge recommendations. Supports medical necessity and continuity of care through clear and objective clinical documentation. Updates medical record in accordance with regulatory, accreditation, payer, and organizational requirements. Accurately submits patient charges per department guidelines.
• Care Coordination: Coordinates patient care across the continuum by communicating effectively with physicians, nurses, case managers, rehabilitation staff, and other members of the interdisciplinary team to support safe, efficient, and cohesive treatment delivery. Communicates patient status, progress, recommendations, and safety concerns to the care team in a timely manner. Ensures all required regulatory, documentation, and payer-related processessuch as treatment authorizations, plan-of-care updates, medical necessity justification, and timely completion of progress reportsare accurately completed in accordance with departmental, state, and federal standards. Facilitates smooth transitions of care by sharing relevant clinical information, updating patient status, planning follow-up needs, and providing clear recommendations to internal and external care partners. Collaborates to resolve barriers to care, support patient readiness for discharge.
• Education: Educates patients, family members and caregivers in speech therapy principles, methods and techniques to achieve intended outcomes. Reviews research and continually seeks to expand clinical reasoning skills. Participates in new employee onboarding, student orientation, and offers mentorship to colleagues. Contributes to departmental process improvement projects, trainings and competencies.

Education:

• Master's Degree required

Work Experience:

• 4-6 years Speech Language Pathology experience required

Licenses:

• BLS-Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) - AHA - American Heart Association or American Red Cross required
• SLP-Speech Language Pathologist - DORA - Department of Regulatory Agencies required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Advanced knowledge of theory, principles and professional guidelines for evidence-based practice of speech therapy; applies theory and evidence-based practice independently.
• Advanced knowledge of safety principles in patient care environment.
• Manages caseload including timely and appropriate documentation and meeting departmental productivity expectations.
• Knowledge of standards, polices and procedures of Denver Health as they pertain to speech therapy.
• Skill to properly use medical and diagnostic instruments and equipment.
• Communicates clearly with patients, families, and team members; demonstrates professionalism and teamwork; contributes to a supportive and positive team culture.
• Ability to integrate requirements of the facility and/or regulatory agencies into clinical decisions and documentation.
• Actively participates or leads departmental process improvement/program development initiatives.

Shift: Days (United States of America)

Work Type: PRN/Intermittent

Salary: $38.46 - $59.62 / hr

Benefits: At Denver Health, we take care of the people who take care of our community. Our benefits are built to support your life, your family, and your future with exceptional retirement contributions, and nationally recognized well-being programs. We invest in your growth through tuition assistance, career advancement pathways, and professional development while also offering meaningful financial advantages through loan forgiveness eligibility and employer contributions. When you join Denver Health, you're joining a mission-driven organization that invests in you.

Here is a small list of our benefit programs:

• Social security replacement retirement plan with employer contribution of 3%
• On-site employee fitness center and wellness classes
• Community resource navigation support
• Childcare discount programs & exclusive perks on large brands, travel, and more
• Education & development opportunities including career pathways and coaching

About Denver Health

Denver Health is an integrated, high-quality academic healthcare system considered a model for the nation that includes a Level I Trauma Center, a 555-bed acute care medical center, Denver's 911 emergency medical response system, 10 family health centers, 19 school-based health centers, Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug Safety, the Public Health Institute at Denver Health, Denver Health Medical Plan and Denver Health Foundation.

As Colorado's primary, and essential, safety-net healthcare system, Denver Health is a mission-driven organization that has provided millions in uncompensated care for the uninsured each year.

Located near downtown Denver, Denver Health is just minutes away from many of the cultural and recreational activities Denver has to offer.

Denver Health is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We value the unique ideas, talents and contributions reflective of the needs of our community. All job applicants for safety-sensitive positions must pass a pre-employment drug test, once a conditional offer of employment has been made. Applicants will be considered until the position is filled.

Public Health Institute at Denver Health