Speech Pathologist - Physical Therapy

Summary:

As a member of the health care team, evaluates and treats patients with cognitive, communication, and swallowing deficits within the scope of a licensed Speech/Language Pathologist. Collaborates with other hospital personnel to ensure quality care for the patient. Supervises the activities of Therapy Technicians, Speech/Language Pathology Clinical Fellows, and Speech/Language Pathology Students. 

Responsibilities:

Evaluation of Patients

• Gathers pertinent data from chart and other caregivers, discusses with the physician as necessary.
• Independently assess all patient types assigned.
• Demonstrates ability to recognize additional needs during evaluation; exercises good judgment in decision-making.
• Interprets results and formulates relevant, measurable, realistic and attainable goals.
• Reassess patient progress regularly per department policy, or when need arises.
• Identifies appropriate equipment, discusses with patient and family and makes appropriate referral to social services and/or vendor.
• Able to assess vent dependent patients with minimal assistance.
• Able to assess voice and fluency cases with some assistance.

Care of the Patient

• Able to independently design a treatment plan that addresses identified problems, deficits, and discharge needs and assist with reducing LOS.
• Consistently delivers effective treatment focused on the rehabilitation of communication, cognition, and/or swallowing disorders.
• Actively seeks out a diagnosis to facilitate the ability to independently treat throughout the hospital.
• Demonstrates skilled expertise when monitoring patients during treatment. Able to apply reasoning and judgment to skilled observations and reports adverse reactions to the physician and/or nursing.
• Demonstrates a working knowledge of speaking valve usage and contraindications. Ensures patient safety. Offers alternatives to the physician when appropriate.
• Actively seeks research-based treatments and applies to daily treatment.
• Develops creative and innovative ways to provide treatment i.e. group sessions, summer speech camps, structured and interactive adult group/individual sessions etc.

Communication with and Education of Patients and Families

• Explains the role of Speech Pathology, provides information on what to expect and works to build rapport.
• Determines the education needs of patient and family. Actively engages other care givers to ensure educational needs are met.
• Provides written home program as appropriate. Educates patient and family prior to discharge.
• Recognizes the need for additional education and incorporates into treatment plan and discharge planning.
• Collaborate with coworkers in order to promote co-treatment when appropriate. 
• Actively works to educate patient/families on coworker expertise and provide assurance of competency of all clinicians which will encourage and improve patient attendance.

Conferences and Collaboration

• Prepares for Team Conference in advance. Reports patient status objectively.
• Understands role in discharge planning during conferences, and provides pertinent information that aids timely discharge.
• Takes initiative to discuss length of stay with case management/social worker.
• Recognizes when a physician needs to be informed of patient status or d/c needs. Consistently contacts the appropriate caregiver. 

Time Management

• Anticipates patient’s needs during scheduled absences. Provides endorsements prior to departure.
• Coordinates with peers so that support personnel are maximized, down time is limited and supervision meets department guidelines. 
• Meets productively standard 90% of the time.
• Attitude towards time management result in daily behaviors that limits the amount of evals that are held, treatments that are not performed due to time restrictions and maximizes productivity.

Documentation

• Documents the content of home program and patient’s response.
• Documents effectively to enable another therapist to treat clients with minimum explanation.
• Consistently documents education sessions in the Knowledge Deficit Care Plan. Document who received the material, the content teaching method, as well as effectiveness and if further education is needed.
• Reassessment of patients per dept. policy is clearly evident in documentation; goals are updated and adjustments in care plans are visible to all caregivers.

Department Business

• Attends at least 85% of department meetings.
• Readily identifies clinical development needs and participates in clinical development.
• Actively participates to problems solve issues that rise daily and demonstrates good judgment. Looks for timely resolution remaining calm and effective.
• Promptly removes any faulty equipment from service, forwards equipment to bio med and notifies supervisor.
• Takes responsibility to ensure that base/annual competencies are completed prior to scheduled review date.
• Takes opportunities to educate physician and other health care workers on the role of S.T. and appropriate use of services.
• Demonstrates flexibility and collaboration with all therapy locations, readily accepts work assignments at all locations.

Professional Growth

• Completes education of new employees as requested by manager.
• Completes self-assessment and identifies educational needs. Consults with manager regarding opportunities to fulfill identified needs.
• Presents 2 in services to peers annually.
• Adheres to professional code of ethics, established by professional organization.
• Maintains CPR certification and state licensure. Provides manager with a copy 15 days prior to expiration date.
• Participates in clinical student affiliations. Teaches proper therapy techniques and procedures and provides constructive feedback.
• Applies knowledge of growth and development from infancy to mature adult and is able to modify interventions for care based on each stage.

Follows Hospital Policies

• Accrues no more than 3 unscheduled absences. Reports to work at designated time.
• Follows established call-in procedures.
• Consistently follows hospital and/or departmental procedures for dress, hygiene, and ID badges.
• Follows safety precautions.
• Has no avoidable accidents or injuries during the 12 month review period.
• Attends and/or completes all mandated infection control and safety programs on or before the scheduled performance review date.
• Adheres to hospital policies and department rules consistently.
• Follows the CHRISTUS Health Guidelines related to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), designed to prevent or detect unauthorized disclosure of Protected Health Information (PHI).
• Associate timely completes all required educational assignments. 

Requirements:

Education/Skills

• Graduate of an accredited school of Speech/Language Pathology with a MA/MS Degree in Speech/Language Pathology. Eligible/completed ASHA certification.

Experience

• New graduate or experienced therapist

Licenses, Registrations, or Certifications

• Must hold or be eligible for a license in the State of Texas as a Speech/Language Pathologist. Requires a safe driving record and a valid Texas Driver’s license, as job duties may include driving a vehicle frequently. 

Work Schedule:

5 Days - 8 Hours

Work Type:

Full Time