Speech Language Pathologist - ENT - Voice/Swallowing Program | Full Time| Days

Speech Language Pathologist

The Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) is part of a team of fellows, advanced practice providers, and physicians committed to treating a range of complex adult voice, swallowing, and upper airway disorders in an outpatient medical setting. The SLP is integrated into the Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery (OTO-HNS) division and clinic, and has a hands-on role in the clinical and instrumental evaluation of patients. The SLP frequently works in tandem with fellowship trained Laryngologist(s) and Head & Neck Oncologic Surgeons. The SLP engages in collaborative and longitudinal care of patients with voice/swallowing/airway disorders, providing comprehensive therapy while promoting best-practices in patient care. The SLP plays a role in advancing the field of speech language pathology through teaching (as applicable) and opportunities to participate in clinical research.

Responsibilities

Evaluate and treat patients referred to laryngology services for voice/swallow/airway concerns. This includes:

• Obtaining a detailed case history.
• Obtaining objective measures and psychoacoustic judgments of phonatory ability.
• Administering and interpreting acoustic analysis for documentation of vocal parameters.
• Administering and interpreting video laryngoscopy, video nasal endoscopic, FEES and modified barium video swallow evaluations.
• Utilizes electromyography machine in accordance with laryngologist for various therapeutic tasks.

Provide pre-treatment evaluation and counseling and post treatment care for patients undergoing treatment for head and neck cancer. This includes:

• Provide pre- and post treatment swallowing evaluation for patients undergoing surgical or medical treatment (chemoradiation) of head and neck cancer.
• Provide post-treatment dysphagia therapy for patients requiring rehabilitation after treatment for head and neck cancer.
• Provide pre-operative education and counseling for patients undergoing laryngectomy and establish a plan of care for post-operative laryngeal speech restoration, to include use of electrolarynx, esophageal speech and tracheoesophageal prosthesis (TEP).
• Evaluate, manage and replace TEP voice prostheses.

Advocate for patients undergoing treatment for rehabilitation of voice/swallow/airway disorders and interact on the patient's behalf with physicians, nurses, employers, etc. This includes:

• Interpret evaluation results for patients, their families and medical staff and make appropriate recommendations for management and treatment.
• Develop appropriate goals for each patient, and design and execute a therapeutic program to meet these goals.
• When appropriate, makes referrals for medical evaluation, audiology services or follow up by other medical professionals.

Maintain documentation and certifications required for patient care. This includes:

• Maintain documentation of patient contact according to JCAHO procedures and standards.
• Ensure documentation is clear and concise, and in compliance with Job Requirement Expected Performance departmental FL-ASHA and ASHA guidelines, and regulatory requirements from third party payers.
• Meet all state requirements for continuing education.

Participate in departmental education and research efforts. This includes:

• May provide educational programs through in-services to the rehab services department or interdisciplinary colleagues, and teaching labs to the Speech students (if applicable).
• May provide student supervision for Level II students, utilizing a wide variety of supervisory styles to enhance student learning.
• May assist to develop, collect, and analyze performance improvement data.

These statements are intended to describe the essential functions of the job and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. Skills and duties may vary dependent upon your department or unit. Other duties may be assigned as required. Must be able to perform the professional, clinical and or technical competencies of the assigned unit or department.

Qualifications

Experience Requirements

Prior experience in the independent evaluation and treatment of laryngeal, phonatory, swallowing and upper airway disorders.

Education

Master's Degree in Speech and Language Pathology or Communication Sciences and Disorders from an accredited college or university.

Certification/Licensure

FL Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA). BLS Certification Eligible for licensure to practice as a Speech Language Pathologist in the state of Florida.

Additional duties as assigned may vary.

UFJPI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Drugfree Workplace.