Speech Language Pathologist

Speech Language Pathologist

Shriners Children's is an organization that respects, supports, and values each other. We are engaged in providing excellence in patient care, embracing multi-disciplinary education, and research with global impact. We foster a learning environment that values evidenced based practice, experience, innovation, and critical thinking. Our compassion, integrity, accountability, and resilience define us as leaders in pediatric specialty care for our children and their families.

With 20+ hospitals, outpatient clinics, ambulatory care centers and outreach locations across the globe, we provide excellent care to children up to age 18 regardless of their family's ability to pay or insurance status.

Examination/Assessment: Upon receiving a licensed independent practitioner referral, implements a systematic patient examination and evaluation utilizing a comprehensive, patient and family-centered approach to decision making incorporating national standards and the AMA CPT Codes. The SLP uses advanced instrumentation and technologies in the evaluation. The assessment process includes culturally and linguistically appropriate behavioral observation and standardized and/or criterion-referenced tools; use of instrumentation; review of records, case history, and prior test results; and interview of the individual and/or family to guide decision making. Demonstrates competency in the examination of the patient, synthesis of the information gathered and formulation of a prognosis, likely outcomes of intervention and amount of time required to reach each level using quantifiable and reachable goals.

Intervention: The SLP will design, develop and implement individualized treatment plans to address presenting symptoms or concerns of a communication and/or swallowing problem or related functional issue to optimize function. Uses evidenced-based practice and advanced instrumentation in the management, and care of individuals with communication, feeding and swallowing, and related disorders. SLPs will apply evidenced-based practice in the use of advanced instrumentation and technologies to enhance the quality of the services provided. Collaborates with the patient/family, multi-disciplinary team, vendors and third party payers, to provide appropriate orthotic device, adaptive equipment, pressure garments, assistive technology, prosthetics and/or durable medical equipment. Assists in the identification and development of clinical programs and clinical practice guidelines. Ensures the intervention is compliant with department policy, professional standards of practice, and regulatory guidelines.

Discharge Planning and Coordination: Makes appropriate discharge plans by collaborating with patients, their families, care management, and community resources such as schools/outside therapy clinics, and actively participating in multidisciplinary meetings. Assesses patient and caregiver educational needs and makes evident effective teaching skills for discharge instructions and home programs. Utilizes language appropriate to patient/family level of understanding, and written or demonstrated methods for exercises/activities, and equipment use. Provides discharge referrals through clear communication with medical vendors and outside therapeutic services and durable medical equipment as needed.

Documentation of Care: Supports risk management and compliance initiatives through accurate thorough documentation, which meets payer requirement, regulatory and professional standards. In addition, provides assistance with documentation audit activity as requested. Clinical documentation supports evidence-based practice, provides sufficient evidence of medical necessity and skilled interventions and demonstrates progress by means of the goals and treatment plan. Completes necessary paperwork for scheduling, prior authorization, adaptive equipment, and patient care statistics. Performs ethical documentation of patient care information according to hospital/department policy standards, joint commission requirements, AMA CPT code requirements, and CARF requirements when applicable while following scope of practice regulatory standards.

Professional Development Responsibility: Performs self-reflection of personal practice and professional work activities to direct goals for professional growth and development. Actively seeks clinical education opportunities to expand knowledge base for the advancement of clinical skills and development of evidence-based best practice procedures. Participates in departmental education through staff in-services and competencies. Reviews federal, state, and payer regulations with AMA CPT coding as well as State Practice Act to ensure current knowledge of regulatory standards and assists peers in meeting these requirements. Holds self-accountable for maintaining high ethical, professional, and technical standards and core values and integrating those standards into everyday activities.

Compensation is determined based on years of relevant experience and departmental equity.