Speech Pathologist

About the role

Plans, conducts, and evaluates medically directed speech pathology programs for assigned patients designed to restore or develop patients' communication skills and/or swallowing/feeding skills. In doing so, assesses patients with functional and organic speech disorders or with receptive/expressive language disorders, develops treatment programs and modifies treatment in accordance with patient progress. Instructs patients and families in rehabilitative speech/language practices, monitors patients' progress and maintains clinical records. Provides day to day supervision of staff speech pathologists and clinical fellowship year candidates. Works with manager of Rehabilitation Services in program and staff development, continuous performance improvement and academic affiliations. Observe all health and safety requirements. Supervises student interns/new hires according to professional departmental and affiliating university guidelines. Identifies, evaluates, treats and follows up clients on an inpatient, outpatient, homecare and contract basis as assigned. Provides age-appropriate care to patients. Demonstrated knowledge of developmental stages for the following age groups (infant/child, adolescence, adult and older, geriatrics) and applies developmental theories and concepts when planning and implementing care for patients as appropriate per assignment. Evaluates all assigned patients, develops plan of treatment, provides assessment and assists in discharge planning as appropriate for each discipline. Applies treatment plan to patients within established procedures and time frames, as determined by each discipline. Completes necessary documentation to comply with professional standards department procedures for initial consult, progress notes, clinical conference notes, and reports. Provides information and consultation to patients, families, caregivers, and other health care personnel involved with patient management. Job Responsibilities: 1) Demonstrates commitment to organization service standards 2) Clinical Practice - The therapist demonstrates competent clinical practice utilizing a clinical decision-making process and critical thinking skills to effectively and efficiently deliver patient care with all healthcare providers across the continuum of care. Clinical Decision making - utilizes clinical decision making process to achieve desired patient/family outcomes. 3) Therapist - Patient Family Relationships - The therapist establishes and maintains a health, balanced and therapeutic relationship with the patient/family within the integrated healthcare system based on patient/family needs. The therapist demonstrates respect and advocates for the patient's rights, values and belief systems. Therapeutic - Therapist actions that are responsive to the patient/family needs, promote comfort and create a compassionate and therapeutic environment. 4) Patient-Family Education and Health Care Transition Management - Demonstrates a commitment to identifying and addressing the learning need of both patients and families. Patient/jFamily learning needs and education process - Identifies enhances and inhibitors to learning process and readiness to learn. Adjusts teaching strateg