Speech Pathologist - Our Lady of Lourdes

The Speech Pathologist is responsible for evaluating/assessing needs of referred patients and formulating treatment plans. Provides therapy services defined in treatment plans. Works cooperatively with physicians, case managers, and other members of the healthcare team. Maintains accurate documentation of therapy services in the medical record. May supervise therapy techs, clinical fellows, and students.

• Responsible for evaluating/assessing needs of referred patients and formulating treatment plans.
• Provides therapy services defined in treatment plans.
• Works cooperatively with physicians, case managers, and other members of the healthcare team.
• Maintains accurate documentation of therapy services in the medical record.
• May supervise therapy techs, clinical fellows, and students.

Patient Care

• Documents patient care utilizing approved hospital and department documentation system.
• Accurately and promptly completes daily patient charges for every patient treated, according to department procedures.
• Performs and documents thorough initial evaluation on each patient referred for speech therapy services, accurately performing objective testing and identifying patient's speech, language and swallowing disabilities or problem areas prior to implementation of treatment.
• Identifies and documents measurable short- and long-term goals for each patient evaluated.
• Sets up a detailed treatment plan for each patient.
• Periodically re-assesses patient's functional status, progress toward achievement of goals, and modifies treatment plan accordingly.
• Communicates results of evaluation with patient/significant other and involves patient in planning, implementation and revision of the treatment plan.
• Assesses and identifies the patient and/or significant other's educational needs concerning reasons for and expected reactions to treatment, safe use of equipment, home programs, and follow up care.

Regulatory/Quality

• Utilizes time to accomplish work in an efficient manner by consistently demonstrating direct patient care contact at a productivity level of at least 75% (24 billable units per day).
• Assumes personal responsibility for completing and maintaining competencies in all areas of department practice and takes initiative to enhance professional growth through educational programs, professional literature, in-services and workshops.
• Continuously engages in improving work processes that will facilitate the improvement of patient care.

Interdisciplinary Teamwork

• Appropriately delegates to and supervises performance of support personnel according to their level of training and in accordance with state law.
• Communicates effectively and maintains professional, cooperative relationships with all members of the healthcare team, patients, and the public.
• Shows initiative in assisting co-workers.
• Knows and uses the designated chain of command to: a) Communicate work related concerns/questions b) Present solutions/options for department concerns.
• Participates on committees as assigned and consults with department Director concerning department input and effects of committee decisions on department function and budget.

Other Duties as Assigned

• Effectively performs schedule board functions by promptly scheduling patients for treatment as ordered and effectively scheduling staff for maximum productivity and with fair distribution of work.
• Assist in orienting new staff utilizing Rehab department orientation checklist.
• Acts as clinical instructor for speech therapy students on clinical internship by mentoring, providing supervision, timely feedback and written evaluation of skills.
• Demonstrates problem solving and good judgment.
• Accepts additional work assignments as assigned by Director or Team Leader.

This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change (e g., emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs, or technological development).

• Experience in specialized areas including adult and pediatric aphasia and head injury preferred.
• Graduate of accredited Speech-Language Pathology Program (minimum master's degree)
• Current Louisiana State Speech-Language Pathology license (temporary licensure allowed)
• ASHA certified or receive the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competency for Speech-Language Pathologist (CCC-SLP) within 18 month of hire date.
• BLS Certification
• Good interpersonal/human relations skills; Good oral/written communication skills; Good teamwork skills; Good critical thinking/decision making skills; Superior organizational skills.