Speech Language Pathologist - Acute Care (Per Diem, Bethlehem Campus)

St. Luke's University Health Network

St. Luke's is proud of the skills, experience and compassion of its employees. The employees of St. Luke's are our most valuable asset! Individually and together, our employees are dedicated to satisfying the mission of our organization which is an unwavering commitment to excellence as we care for the sick and injured; educate physicians, nurses and other health care providers; and improve access to care in the communities we serve, regardless of a patient's ability to pay for health care.

The Speech Language Pathologist evaluates plans and administers speech language pathology treatment programs for within the acute care or skilled setting, to address mechanical and/or neurological impairments, which may limit performance of speech, language and/or swallowing resulting from injury, disease, or illness. Patient responsibilities include care provision for the patients below. The Speech-Language Pathologist shall work within the practice guidelines as defined by Pennsylvania state law. Patients encountered by the Speech Language Pathologist may include those with a diagnosis and/or impairments related to pediatric (Birth 12 years), adolescent (13-17 years), adult (18-65 years) medical conditions.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Demonstrates knowledge of Speech-Language Pathology in the Acute Care and prioritizes implements and documents evaluations and interventions to move patients to the next level of care in a safe, timely, and effective manner.
• Performs speech therapy evaluations in a technically competent manner that minimizes risk to the patient, self and others by selecting reliable and valid evaluation methods that are relevant to the chief complaint and history of the patient.
• In collaboration with the patient, the patient's family, caregivers and other members of the multidisciplinary team, establish an appropriate plan of care based on clinical evaluation that takes into consideration impairments, functional limitations, resultant disabilities, functional outcomes, and patient's goals.
• Identifies the need for reevaluation based upon achievement of goals, progress or lack of progress, change in patient status, and response to interventions provided
• Performs technically competent interventions based on the plan of care and adapts interventions to meet the individual needs and response of the patient/client.
• Provides appropriate and timely communication to the related health care providers to facilitate a timely discharge from the hospital setting
• Interprets and uses clinical findings to establish a rehabilitation diagnosis and prognosis within the practitioner's knowledge base.
• Make suitable discharge recommendation based on identified impairments, resultant functional limitations, and disabilities.
• Attends case management/interdisciplinary rounds, where appropriate, and provides timely communication of information to other members of the multidisciplinary team necessary for the effective delivery of care.
• Makes recommendations/referral to appropriate entities and DME necessary to ensure safe discharge and produces documentation that is accurate, concise, and timely; within 2 hours of intervention provided
• Maintains minimum productivity standards set forth for a staff speech therapist.
• Other duties as assigned

Physical and Sensory Requirements:

Must be able to sit for up to ninety minutes at a time. Be able to tolerate standing for thirty to forty-five minutes consecutively. Must be able to use hands/fingers to manipulate dials on machines. Must have the ability to lift/move patients up to 300 lbs., push/pull patients weighing up to 300 lbs. The clinician will frequently stoop/bend, squat, crouch, kneel and reach above shoulder height. Must be capable of tactile sensation as it relates to feeling for muscle spasms, texture and skin temperature. Must have the ability to hear as it relates to normal conversation and ability to hear call bells. Must be capable of seeing as it relates to general vision, depth perception, and peripheral vision.

Education:

Current Speech-Language Pathologist license in the State of New Jersey or Pennsylvania, based on work location is required. The Speech-Language Pathologist shall work within the practice guidelines as defined by New Jersey or Pennsylvania state law (based upon work location). Master's Degree preferred.

Training and Experience:

Current CPR certification and successful completion of required affiliations and/or CEU's to maintain licensure.

St. Luke's University Health Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer.