Speech Language Pathologist

Speech Language Pathologist

RML Specialty Hospital is seeking a compassionate and dedicated Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) to join our interdisciplinary rehabilitation team. Reporting to the Director of Rehabilitation Services and working under the supervision of the Supervisor of Speech-Language Pathology or the Manager of Rehabilitation Services, the SLP provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment for adult and geriatric patients with speech, language, cognitive-communication, voice, swallowing, and fluency disorders.

This position plays a vital role in helping medically complex patients regain communication, swallowing function, and independence through evidence-based, patient-centered care.

Essential Responsibilities

Patient Evaluation & Assessment

• Perform comprehensive speech-language pathology evaluations for adult and geriatric patients.
• Assess: Cognitive-communication skills, speech and language function, voice disorders, motor speech disorders, swallowing (dysphagia), functional communication abilities.
• Utilize standardized and clinical assessment tools, including brain injury and cognitive assessments, aphasia and apraxia evaluations, oral-motor examinations, articulation and dysarthria testing, speech intelligibility assessments, clinical and video fluoroscopic swallowing evaluations (VFSS), Passy-Muir Valve assessments, informal clinical observations.

Treatment & Intervention

Develop and implement individualized treatment plans in collaboration with patients, families, physicians, and the interdisciplinary rehabilitation team.

Provide evidence-based treatment for cognitive-communication disorders, communication disorders, motor speech disorders, and swallowing disorders (dysphagia).

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Collaborate with physicians, nursing staff, rehabilitation therapists, and case management.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings, patient rounds, and care conferences.
• Modify treatment plans based on patient progress and changing clinical needs.
• Assist patients in adapting to functional limitations and maximizing independence.
• Recommend continued therapy and post-discharge services when appropriate.

Documentation & Compliance

• Complete timely and accurate electronic medical record documentation.
• Record evaluations, daily treatment notes, discharge summaries, and patient charges.
• Maintain compliance with ASHA Code of Ethics, Illinois Speech-Language Pathology Practice Act, RML Specialty Hospital policies and procedures.

Patient & Family Education

• Educate patients and caregivers regarding diagnoses, treatment plans, swallowing precautions, communication strategies, and home programs.
• Encourage family participation in the rehabilitation process to optimize outcomes.

Quality & Professional Development

• Participate in quality improvement and patient safety initiatives.
• Attend department meetings and continuing education activities.
• Serve as a clinical resource and mentor for new staff, students, and interdisciplinary team members as assigned.
• Maintain required competencies, certifications, and annual education requirements.
• Promote a safe work environment through proper body mechanics, infection prevention practices, and use of patient handling equipment.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology.

Licensure & Certifications

• Current Illinois Speech-Language Pathology License.
• Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
• Current CPR Certification.

Skills & Abilities

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively within an interdisciplinary healthcare team.
• Strong clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to develop individualized treatment plans for medically complex patients.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Acute care experience (including Clinical Fellowship Year experience).
• Experience in ICU, medically complex care, or inpatient rehabilitation settings.
• Experience treating patients with neurological disorders, dysphagia, tracheostomies, and ventilator-dependent patients.

Working Conditions

This position is performed in a hospital setting and includes treatment provided at the bedside and within the rehabilitation therapy department. The role requires frequent interaction with medically complex adult and geriatric patients and collaboration with multidisciplinary healthcare professionals.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not exhaustive lists of all duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills, abilities, and working conditions associated with it.