Speech Language Pathologist

Overview:

The SLP educates patients, family/caregivers and staff regarding impairments of speech, language, swallowing, and cognition disorders.

Responsibilities:

• Appropriately selects and executes procedures for screening and assessment of speech, language, and cognition of patients.
• Appropriately selects and executes clinical procedures for screening and assessment of swallowing in patients.
• Appropriately selects and provides fluorographic assessment of swallowing.
• Documents results of assessment and evaluation in a clear and concise manner according to policy and procedures.

• Appropriately formulates and revises plans of care for speech, language, and cognition in patients.
• Appropriately formulates and revises plans of care for swallowing.
• Documents care plans and changes in care plans in a clear and concise manner according to policies and procedures.

• Appropriately provides treatment for speech, language, and cognition.
• Appropriately provides treatment for swallowing in patients.
• Documents care that is provided in a clear and concise manner according to policies and procedures.

• Appropriately plans for discharge from speech pathology services for speech, language, and cognition.
• Appropriately plans for discharge from speech pathology services for swallowing.
• Documents plans for discharge clearly and concisely according to policies and procedures.

• Provides appropriate patient, family and staff education regarding impairments of speech, language, and cognition.
• Provides appropriate patient, family and staff education regarding impairments of swallowing in patients.
• Documents education in a clear and concise manner according to policies and procedures.

• Attends 80% of patient-care conferences.
• Provides clear, objective, up-to-date clinical information in patient-care conferences, including current, past, and projected functional levels.
• Participates actively and productively in the team problem-solving and planning process. Completes documentation of participation in conferences according to policies and procedures.

• Plans, organizes, and controls own time effectively for direct patient-care, documentation, record keeping and other job requirements.
• Participates in departmental PI process.
• Serves on program committees as requested.
• Demonstrates flexibility with requests for time-off, considering needs of the department.

• Performs ethically at all times.
• Maintains acceptable standards of care.

• Assumes responsibility for continued professional growth.
• Independently keeps up-to-date with trends and developments in speech-language pathology practice, procedures, and techniques.
• Makes recommendations for implementation of new and improved practices and procedures.
• Presents in-service training to agency.
• Complies with all safety and infection control standards.
• Completes assignments independently within the established time-frame.
• Utilizes department equipment, supplies, and resources in a conscientious and cost effective manner.
• Participates in achievement of departmental objectives.
• Maintains cleanliness of immediate work area and shares in maintaining orderliness of department. Shows concern and reports equipment malfunction and general maintenance needs.

• Communicates regularly with clinical supervisor, and case manager regarding specific patient problems, goals, and status changes.
• Maintains effective communication and expresses ideas clearly with patients, patients' families, agency staff, physicians, supervisors, and other hospital personnel.
• Keeps supervisor informed of personal concerns that may affect job performance.
• Uses appropriate channels of communication.

• Adults
• When treating adults, as delegated by the physical therapist, takes into account the age/cognitive level of the patient.
• Takes into consideration the daily activities when carrying out a treatment program. Recognizes/responds to the patient's reaction to illness and hospitalization.
• Interacts appropriately with families/guardians, referring questions regarding treatment to primary therapist, nurse of physician, as appropriate.
• Geriatric
• When treating elderly adults, as delegated by the physical therapist, takes into account the age/cognitive level of the patient.
• Takes into consideration the daily activities when carrying out a treatment program. Recognizes/responds to the patient's reaction to illness and hospitalization.
• When treating elderly adults, interacts appropriately with families/guardians, referring questions regarding treatment to the primary therapist, nurse or physician as appropriate.

• Exhibits culturally responsive attitude including flexibility, empathy, respect, and awareness of communication needs.

Qualifications:

A Master's degree* or higher from an accredited college or university with specialization in speech pathology, communication disorders, or a related field -and- Two (2) years of speech-language pathology experience in a clinic or educational institution as a state licensed speech-language pathologist preferred.

Current licensure by the California Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board to practice speech pathology -AND- Current Certificate of Clinical Competence as a Speech-Language Pathologist issued by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association.

A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

All required licenses and certifications must be active and unrestricted or your application will not be accepted.

Applications submitted without the required evidence of licensure, certificate, and/or permit will be considered incomplete until such information is provided. The original license, certificate, and/or permit must be presented during the selection process and prior to appointment.

Physical Class II - Light:

Light physical effort which may include occasional light lifting to a 10-pound limit, and some bending, stooping or squatting. Considerable walking may be involved.

Desirable Qualifications:

Additional credit will be given to applicants who possess the following desirable qualifications:

• Experience performing modified barium swallow studies.
• Experience with dysphagia management in a healthcare setting**.
• Additional credit will be given for experience as a Licensed Speech Language Pathologist beyond the Selection Requirements.