Speech Lang Pathologist Acute NN

Speech Language Pathologist

The Speech Language Pathologist primary functions are to assess, reassess, develop, implement and evaluate plan of care. Employee must follow Speech Therapy referrals ordered by physician and within the scope of service provided, follow operational guidelines (P&P Manual), State licensure Act and National Professional Organization Practice Guidelines. Leadership, delegation, interdisciplinary teamwork, information management, performance improvement, customer service and time management are essential basic competencies. Needs general supervision.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Evaluations:

• Performs initial therapy evaluations and re-evaluations utilizing evaluation techniques appropriate to patient's age, culture, and primary language to obtain a comprehensive view of patient's functional communication skills during the first 60-90 minute of assessment time.
• Makes an accurate assessment of patient's strengths and weakness.
• Develops a well-defined plan of care and goals which include patient input and awareness of patient's educational and cultural needs.
• Is able to select, monitor, and modify appropriate equipment, procedure, and diagnostic testing methods.
• Makes accurate differential diagnosis when one or more communication disorders exist simultaneously.
• Therapeutic goals are consistently measurable, objective, and reflective of the plan.
• Has developed skills or is actively pursuing development of skills in specialty areas (FEES, videostroboscopy, MBS, TEP voice prosthesis, augmented communication devices, electro larynx) or in areas outside of primary responsibility.

Treatment:

• Demonstrates the skill, professional judgment, and knowledge base to provide effective treatment to patients of different age groups and cultures.
• Consistently incorporates knowledge of growth and development issues into assessment of patient's needs.
• Provides treatment services appropriate to patient's age group, dominant language, and culture.
• Is aware of resources available for different age groups.
• Demonstrates competency in all basic Speech-Language Pathology procedures and equipment for all common disorders of speech, language, cognition, voice, and swallowing.
• Has developed new skills or is actively pursuing development of new skill in specialty areas, or in areas outside primary assignment.
• Follows ethical practices utilizing guidelines established by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and/or the Florida Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and the NCH HealthCare System.
• Delegate's patient care to team members within their scope of practice.

Teaching:

• Provide formal and informal guidance, support, and teaching to internal and external customers.
• Ensures patient/family education needs are met.
• Verbally communicates, to pertinent members of a patient's healthcare team, to provide objective information about the patient's communication or swallowing disorder in a professional and timely manner.
• Identifies educational needs in the NCH HealthCare System and attempts to meet those needs using formal and informal education strategies.
• For inpatient dysphagia patient's, post swallow precautions to educate nursing staff and other staff members to the feeding plan and precautions.

Documentation:

• Consistently maintains timely, complete, and accurate written documentation as defined in NCH and Rehab Services policies and procedures.
• Is able to locate information in the medical record.
• Is able to perform a complete chart audit.
• Reports/completes all patient care information needed when a team member will be following up a patient for treatment.

Clinic Management:

• Take ownership for the speech pathology clinic environment
• Takes responsibility for keeping a neat, organized, and clean therapeutic environment.
• Keep track of therapy and evaluation materials. Keeps materials organized and in good condition.
• Monitors supply and ensures items are re-supplied when necessary.
• Order new materials to meet the needs of the patient population of primary responsibility.
• Ensures appropriate and needed materials and supplies are easily located and available to covering therapist.
• Accurately schedules and reschedules patients, if applicable.

Facility Responsibilities:

• Takes ownership for all tasks related to scheduling and billing.
• Consistently follows policies and procedures for ensuring patient schedules are up to date, correct and patients are informed of scheduling policies.
• Communicates patient requested schedule changes to appropriate staff/community.
• Turns in accurate, timely billing information and ensures patients are re-authorized per insurance requirement with adequate documentation of some and complete timely follow up phone calls when patients are no show.

Certification/Continuing Education:

• Meets CEU requirements to maintain licensure and specialty certifications.
• Attends course or completes self-study to stay current with issues related to primary population served.
• Stays current with AIDS education and Medical Errors education.
• Recognizes knowledge deficits and independently researches to meet the need of patients with uncommon presentations.

Education, Experience And Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree or Master's in Speech Therapy.

No experience required.

Licensed as a Speech Therapist in the State of Florida or License eligible.

Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required from the American Red Cross or American Heart Association.

Intermediate computer knowledge: Uses Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Windows.