Speech Language Pathologist - Therapy Float Team

The


Inpatient Rehab & Acute Care Therapy Float Team at Atrium Health


provides specialized therapy coverage across adult acute care and inpatient rehabilitation settings throughout the Greater Charlotte market. Speech Therapists on the float team work across multiple hospital and rehabilitation sites, supporting patients with complex medical and post?acute needs. This role offers broad clinical exposure, close collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, and the opportunity to practice at the top of your license while delivering high?quality, patient?centered care in dynamic care environments.

Job Description:

Provides direct speech?language pathology services to patients across the age spectrum, as appropriate. Evaluates patients, interprets assessments, establishes individualized plans of care, and implements appropriate treatment interventions within scope of practice to restore function, prevent disability, and promote maximum independence. May provide therapy services under direct access when permitted by applicable state licensure. Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams, patients, and caregivers to ensure coordinated and effective patient care.

Major Responsibilities

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  Age?Appropriate Patient Care
  
  
  
  



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  Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of patients served across the lifespan. Applies principles of growth and development, interprets age?specific clinical data, and delivers care in accordance with departmental policies, procedures, and job standards.
  
  



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  Patient Evaluation and Care Planning
  
  
  
  



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  Interprets medical records and provider referrals and evaluates patients with speech, language, voice, cognitive?communication, and feeding/swallowing disorders. Develops individualized plans of care using evidence?based interventions aligned with evaluation findings and functional goals. Recommends next levels of care, directs support staff as applicable, and ensures quality outcomes. Demonstrates knowledge of indications and contraindications for therapeutic interventions utilized.
  
  



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  Treatment Implementation
  
  
  
  



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  Implements therapeutic interventions to address communication, cognitive?communication, and feeding/swallowing impairments. Adjusts treatment approaches based on patient performance and response while ensuring safe, effective care within defined scope of practice.
  
  



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  Goal Setting and Outcome Monitoring
  
  
  
  



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  Establishes functional goals in collaboration with patients and caregivers and monitors outcomes to enhance communication, cognitive?communication, and feeding/swallowing abilities. Modifies treatment plans as appropriate and communicates progress and plans of care with providers, clinical staff, referral sources, and interdisciplinary teams. Coordinates patient schedules across disciplines as needed.
  
  



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  Patient and Caregiver Education
  
  
  
  



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  Provides education to patients and caregivers based on assessed needs, preferences, and learning barriers. Educates regarding diagnosis, progress toward goals, treatment interventions, and home programs. Supports discharge planning by providing written instructions and recommendations to promote continued functional communication and safety.
  
  



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  Professional Communication
  
  
  
  



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  Communicates professionally and in a timely manner with patients, caregivers, providers, staff, and external customers. Responds to staff inquiries, promotes open communication, informs supervisors of issues and resolutions, and may participate in patient care conferences and multidisciplinary meetings to support coordinated care.
  
  



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  Documentation and Compliance
  
  
  
  



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  Completes all required documentation including evaluations, progress notes, patient and caregiver education records, team conference documentation, discharge summaries, and billing charges. Ensures documentation is accurate, timely, and compliant with insurance guidelines, regulatory requirements, departmental policies, and established productivity standards.
  
  



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  Environment and Safety
  
  
  
  



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  Maintains a clean, safe, and orderly treatment environment. Ensures equipment is properly cleaned, stored, and maintained in good working condition.
  
  



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  Professional Development
  
  
  
  



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  Pursues ongoing professional growth through continuing education, departmental in?services, and review of professional literature to maintain and enhance clinical competence.
  
  



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  Operational Improvement
  
  
  
  



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  Actively participates in performance improvement initiatives focused on enhancing patient outcomes and service quality. Identifies opportunities for quality and operational improvement, contributes to process development, manages assigned caseloads, and communicates coverage needs while assisting with coverage based on departmental and regional requirements.
  
  



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  Float Responsibilities
  
  
  
  



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  Meets all requirements for Level 2 participation in the Enterprise Float Program and applicable Human Resources policies. Demonstrates the ability to practice competently across assigned departments and/or locations and adapt to varying clinical and operational environments based on organizational needs.
  
  

Education

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  Degree in Speech?Language Pathology from an accredited institution required.
  
  



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  Masters Degree in Speech?Language Pathology preferred or educational requirements commensurate with date of graduation.
  
  

Certification / Licensure

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  Active Speech?Language Pathology license in the state of employment
  
  



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  Basic Life Support (BLS) certification for Healthcare Providers
  
  



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  Maintains continuing education requirements in accordance with applicable state professional standards
  
  

Work Experience

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  Not specified
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

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  Intermediate computer proficiency
  
  



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  Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational, decision?making, and problem?solving skills
  
  



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  Ability to perform basic office functions
  
  



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  Compliance with HIPAA requirements and appropriate handling of protected health information
  
  



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  Completion of all required competency assessments related to patient care and site standards
  
  

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

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  Ability to sit, stand, walk, lift, and squat throughout the workday
  
  



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  Ability to lift:
  
  
  
  
  
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    Up to 50 lbs. from floor to waist
    
    
  
  
  
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    Up to 10 lbs. from waist to overhead
    
    
  
  
  
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    Carry up to 40 lbs. at waist height for reasonable distances
    
    
  
  
  
  
  



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  Ability to push/pull up to 30 lbs. of force
  
  



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  Ability to assist with patient transfers using a second person or appropriate equipment
  
  



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  Repetitive hand use for grasping, pushing/pulling, and fine manipulation
  
  



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  Functional sensory abilities for effective communication and demonstration of activities
  
  



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  Exposure to blood, body fluids, electrical, and chemical hazards; ability to wear PPE as required
  
  



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  May require travel
  
  



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  Primarily indoor work environment with occasional outdoor exposure
  
  



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  Operates equipment necessary to perform job duties
  
  

Preferred Job Requirements

Education

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  None specified
  
  
  
  

Certification / Licensure

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  None specified
  
  
  
  

Experience

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  None specified
  
  
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

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  None specified
  
  
  
  

Disclaimer

All responsibilities and requirements are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. This job description does not imply that these are the only duties to be performed. Employees are required to follow any other job?related instructions and perform any other job?related duties requested by leadership.

Advocate Health