Speech Language Pathologist III

SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST III

LOCATION: JOHN STROGER HOSPITAL

DEPARTMENT: REHABILITATION SERVICES

This position is exempt from Career Service under the CCH Personnel Rules.

Job Summary

Under direction, the Speech Language Pathologist III (SLP) provides language, speech, and swallowing evaluations, treatment planning, and treatments in a fast-paced, public, acute care, level-one trauma center. Assists in the oversight and management of daily operations, in outpatient and inpatient pediatric and adult services across all SLP locations. The patient population served is from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, of all ages, and includes inpatients and outpatients. Intervention focus includes Intensive Care Unit (ICU) care, performing beside evaluations, outpatient care, and conducting video fluoroscopic swallow studies. The SLP will have excellent written, verbal, and nonverbal communication skills with patient's care givers, other healthcare professionals, students, and other professional affiliates.

TYPICAL DUTIES

• Orients junior staff and students to the specialized unit. Instructs them in specialized techniques necessary to evaluate and treat patients covered in this service. Reviews competencies completed during rotation
• Supervises and evaluates personnel and students rotating through this service. Encourages development of independent thinking and supervisory skills in junior staff
• Formulates budget recommendations for special service areas
• Gathers, interprets and summarizes medical, evaluation and treatment information from a variety of a sources into appropriate patient documentation according to department documentation policies
• Performs appropriate, thorough and timely diagnostic speech, language and/or swallowing evaluations, including video fluoroscopic swallow evaluations, for all assigned adult and/or pediatric patients
• Develops and performs appropriate treatment programs with subsequent modifications/updating of goals as needed and provides patient/family education and/or counseling
• Determines the need for communicative assistive devices and/or home activities; develops basic devices and/or activities; and provides ongoing follow-up of their appropriateness and effectiveness
• Demonstrates familiarity of the purpose and functioning of departmental equipment and supplies and utilizes them appropriately
• Completes accurate record keeping and documentation in a timely manner, according to Department policies and procedures, including, but not limited to, clinical records, patient billing, statistics, and schedules
• Serves as a referral resource for patients requiring other services
• Reviews applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements and consults with Labor Relations to generate management proposal
• Adheres to the policies and procedures of the Rehabilitation Services Department, Hospital, and System
• Participates in quality assurance problem identification, data provision and peer review programs of the department
• Functions as a contributing team member within the department and takes an organizational and leadership role in SLP team activities
• Maintains an appropriate patient volume and productivity record
• Reports problems/other important information to management
• Communicates effectively with patients, families, staff and other personnel
• Organizes and plans activities of specialized unit. Prioritizes patients as necessary
• May be given additional responsibilities for the following areas: safety, quality improvement, infection control, orderliness, protocols, clinical equipment standards, and competencies
• Work environment requires flexibility, initiative, and the ability to prioritize tasks when dealing with limited resources and/or unanticipated occurrences such as staff absences and fluctuating workload. Provides coverage for other areas when other staff members are absent
• Positively supports and participates in Department professional activities
• Complies with all department, hospital, and regulatory agency policies, procedures, and guidelines
• Assists to maintain work area and keep facility tidy, organized, presentable, and clean
• Demonstrates excellent communication skills (verbal and non-verbal) when interacting with patients, caregivers, and other health care professionals.
• Takes responsibility for workflow and assignments in various clinical areas, providing coverage when other staff members are absent
• Attends and contributes to interdisciplinary, hospital, and departmental meetings
• Meets on a regular basis with supervisor and department administration
• Monitors the quality of patient care in the area
• Maintains statistics and performs patient billing according to departmental requirements
• Performs other duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's or higher degree from an accredited college or university in Speech Pathology
• Current License in good standing in the State of Illinois as a Speech Pathologist
• Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
• Four (4) years of clinical experience working with a range of speech/language/swallowing disorders with at least one (1) year of acute clinical experience
• Prior experience supervising staff and/or students
• Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification
• Must be able to travel to work sites throughout Cook County Health

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Prior burn experience
• Prior pediatric experience
• Prior outpatient experience
• Prior neurology experience
• Bilingual, SPANISH PREFERRED

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

• Knowledge of current principles and practice of speech therapy
• Possesses the knowledge of and recognizes the unique behaviors and needs of a variety of patient age groups (Neonate/Infant, Child, Adolescent, Adult, Geriatric)
• Ability to prepare precise technical records and reports
• Ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of individuals
• Ability to work with patients with cognitive and behavioral disorders
• Ability to integrate knowledge into evaluation, care planning, and treatment that incorporates age-appropriate responses to the physical and psychosocial needs of each patient
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of patient related materials in compliance with HIPAA requirements

Physical and Environmental Demands

This position is functioning within a healthcare environment. The incumbent is responsible for adherence to all hospital and department specific safety requirements. This includes but is not limited to the following policies and procedures: complying with Personal Protective Equipment requirements, hand washing and sanitizing practices, complying with department specific engineering and work practice controls and any other work area safety precautions as specified by hospital wide policy and departmental procedures.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of the personnel so classified.

For purposes of the American with Disabilities Act, "Typical Duties" are essential job function

VETERAN PREFERENCE

PLEASE READ

When applying for employment with the Cook County Health & Hospitals System, preference is given to honorably discharged Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for not less than 6 months of continuous service.

To take advantage of this preference, a Veteran must:

• Meet the minimum qualifications for the position.
• Identify self as a Veteran on the employment application by answering yes to the question by answering yes to the question, "Are you a Military Veteran?"
• Attach a copy of their DD 214, DD 215 or NGB 22 (Notice of Separation at time of application filing. Please note: If you have multiple DD214s, 215s, or NGB 22S, Please submit the one with the latest date. Coast Guard must submit a certified copy of the military separation from either the Department of Transportation (Before 9/11) or the Department of Homeland Security (After 9/11). Discharge papers must list an Honorable Discharge Status. Discharge papers not listing an Honorable Discharge Status are not acceptable.

OR

A copy of a valid State ID Card or Driver's License which identifies the holder of the ID as a Veteran, may also be attached to the application at time of filing.

If items are not attached, you will not be eligible for Veteran Preference

VETERANS MUST PROVIDE ORIGINAL APPLICABLE DISCHARGE PAPERS OR APPLICABLE STATE ID CARD OR DRIVER'S LICENSE AT TIME OF INTERVIEW

MUST MEET REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AT TIME OF APPLICATION

BENEFITS PACKAGE

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Basic Term Life Insurance
• Pension Plan
• Deferred Compensation Program
• Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time
• You may also qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
• Degrees awarded outside the United States with the exception of those awarded in one of the United States' territories and Canada must be credentialed by an approved U.S. credential evaluation service belonging to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE). Original credentialing documents must be presented at time of interview.
• Please note all offers of Employment are contingent upon the following conditions: satisfactory professional & employment references, healthcare and criminal background checks, appropriate licensure/certifications, and the successful completion of a physical and pre-employment drug screen.
• CCHHS is strictly prohibited from conditioning, basing, or knowingly prejudicing or affecting any term or aspect of County employment or hiring upon or because of any political reason or factor.

COOK COUNTY HEALTH AND HOSPITALS SYSTEM IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER