Speech Pathologist

Overview

Responsible to complete all aspects of care for assigned patient load including evaluations, formulating plan of care, collaboration of care plans with patient/family/other disciplines, performing therapeutic interventions, education, and meeting all documentation requirements outlined in department

Responsibilities

Plans, coordinates, and directs quality, compassionate care by maintaining standards of professional nursing practice and creating positive therapeutic relationships with patients/families. Supervises LPNs, PCAs, PCAs/US, US, Ortho Techs and other non-licensed staff.

Assesses condition on each assigned patient on admission and on an ongoing basis to include but not limited to the patient’s physical condition, psychological status, social status, spiritual and cultural needs, pain assessment/management, nutritional and functional status, developmental or age related factors, and discharge planning needs.

Plans, provides, and documents patient and/or significant other education based on physical, behavioral, psychological, developmental, and age-related factors, after identifying barriers to learning.

Evaluates and regularly reevaluates patient care; coordinates care planning with patient, family, providers and other disciplines to achieve patient-centered outcomes.

Assigns and delegates nursing care to team members in accordance with the patient’s needs and the capabilities of the team members.

Applies safety principles when performing care

Accurately documents observations, care provided, and changes in care plan.

Provides accurate handoff reports and participates in unit based huddles

Assists in performance improvement (PI) activities by serving on PI teams as warranted, assisting with PI measures and supporting and implementing changes necessary for improvement.

Performs initial and annual competency per job class.

DCH Standards:

• Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.
• Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors and employees.
• Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors and employees
• Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors and employees.
• Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
• Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Current Alabama Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, or Speech & Language Pathology licensure      Maintains active status with license in good standing with the state board or licensing agency.  Can write legibly, speak and read English. Maintain current license in one of the previous listed clinical specialties.  

 

WORK CONTEXT

• Must be able to analyze patient data to determine patient needs or treatment goals
• Must be able to enter patient or treatment data into computers
• Must be able to collaborate with others to plan or provide treatment
• Must have normal vision and hearing or correctable to normal
• Must be careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
• Must be reliable, responsible, dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
• Must be pleasant with others on the job and display good nature, cooperative attitude.
• Must be able to tolerate prolonged periods of sitting and/or standing
• Must be able to exert almost continual physical effort such as pushing, pulling, bending, climbing, lifting, and walking.
• Exposure to human bodily fluids, disease, infection and hazardous materials may occur. Common protective or safety equipment may be required in job task. 

 

PHYSICAL FACTORS

• Physical activities include: Talking, hearing, bending, twisting, walking, running, kneeling, crouching, stooping, crawling, climbing, balancing, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, repetitive motion, standing, and/or using hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
• Requirements:
• PT/OT/Speech
  • Heavy work. Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
  • Light work. Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for light work.
• Must be able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range.
• Physical presence onsite is essential.