Speech Language Pathologist

Job Description

Job Description

Job Details

Job Title: Speech Language Pathologist

Department/Location: Rehab / Chicago, IL

Shift: Days Various Shifts, including rotating weekends and Holiday ​

Full-time (80 hours per pay period) + Benefit-eligible

FTE: 1.0

Req. Number: 1773

Compensation : Pay is determined by various factors, including but not limited to job-specific requirements, individual experience, internal pay equity, and organizational needs/budget considerations, all in alignment with our RML's compensation philosophy. Additionally, you may be eligible for a discretionary annual incentive program based on both individual and organizational performance.

Benefits

RML offers competitive compensation and excellent benefits package. Employees can choose from a large selection of benefits that help protect their health, wealth, and well-being. Benefits include:

• Medical, Dental & Vision
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Life and Accidental, Death Insurance & Disability Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan (6% company match ) - For every $1 an employee contributes, RML contributes $1 to their accounts. Employees are 100 percent vested in the money both they and RML contribute.

Tuition Reimbursement up to $5k per calendar year

Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) For employees who may need help managing stress, RML offers an EAP at no cost. Counselors are available 24 hours a day to both employees and their family members.

Banking Alternatives (e.g. HealthCare Associates Credit Union)

PTO: Employees can accrue up to 26 days off annually.

Referral Rewards (upwards of $4k)

• Employee Fitness Room
• Free Parking

Join Our Rehabilitation Team

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.

Why Join RML Specialty Hospital?

At RML, we are committed to delivering exceptional patient care while fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment. Every team member is expected to embody our STAIRS Values :

• Service
• Teamwork
• Accountability
• Integrity
• Respect
• Stewardship

We also promote an outstanding patient and family experience through our Language of Caring philosophy.

Essential ResponsibilitiesPatient 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

• Attention and concentration
• Memory
• Orientation
• Problem-solving
• Executive functioning
• Organization
• Reasoning
• Safety awareness
• Pragmatic language skills

Communication Disorders

• Auditory comprehension
• Verbal expression
• Reading and written language
• Functional communication
• Speech production
• Alternative communication strategies

Motor Speech Disorders

• Articulation therapy
• Oral motor strengthening
• Breath support
• Rate control
• Speech intelligibility

Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia)

• Oral-motor rehabilitation
• Therapeutic feeding techniques
• Swallowing exercises
• Airway protection strategies
• Compensatory swallowing techniques
• Diet texture recommendations
• Aspiration prevention education

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.

QualificationsMinimum QualificationsEducation

• 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.

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