Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) - Adult Acute Care

Discover Vanderbilt Health: With eight hospitals and over 180 clinics, we are the region’s largest comprehensive academic health system. Vanderbilt Health has a long tradition of providing world-class care to the people of the Mid-South, living out our mission of moving medicine forward through preeminent programs in patient care, education and research. Here you’ll find a spirit of collaboration and a supportive community where your expertise is valued, your knowledge expanded and your uniqueness celebrated. We are committed to fostering an environment where talented, compassionate people are united in bringing the most advanced care to our neighbors throughout the region.

Organization:

Speech Therapy

Job Summary:

JOB SUMMARY
The speech-language pathologist provides evaluation and treatment for speech, language, cognitive, swallowing disorders and/or other voice disorders. Responsible for inpatient, outpatient and any contract services as assigned. They are expected to assist in general program development and to be actively involved in continuing education. In addition, they are responsible for knowing and adhering to hospital and departmental policies and procedures and the standards outlined in the Code of Ethics of ASHA and adhere to federal, state and local regulations.

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Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) - Adult Acute Care

Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital
Tullahoma, Tennessee
Full-Time | Monday-Friday

Join a National Leader in Patient Care, Education, and Innovation

Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital is seeking an experienced Speech-Language Pathologist (CCC-SLP) to join our Adult Acute Care team. This is an exceptional opportunity to work with medically complex adult patients while practicing advanced swallowing diagnostics and intervention in a collaborative hospital environment.

We're looking for an SLP with strong dysphagia expertise who is passionate about delivering outstanding patient care, contributing to interdisciplinary practice, and helping patients achieve meaningful outcomes.

Why Vanderbilt Health?

At Vanderbilt Health, you'll join one of the nation's most respected healthcare systems, recognized for excellence in patient care, education, research, and innovation. Our rehabilitation professionals are empowered to practice at the top of their license and are valued members of the patient care team.

Benefits Start Day One

Eligible employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance beginning Day 1

• Generous paid time off and holiday benefits

• Retirement savings plans with employer contributions

• Tuition assistance and professional development opportunities

• Continuing education support

• Life and disability insurance

• Employee wellness programs

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Career growth across the Vanderbilt Health system

What You'll Do

As a member of our Adult Acute Care team, you will:

• Evaluate and treat adults with swallowing, speech, language, cognitive-communication, and voice disorders

• Provide comprehensive dysphagia assessment and treatment

• Perform Modified Barium Swallow Studies (MBSS/VFSS)

• Perform Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES)

• Develop individualized treatment plans based on evidence-based practice

• Collaborate with physicians, nurses, dietitians, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and other healthcare professionals

• Document patient care in accordance with hospital and regulatory standards

• Educate patients and caregivers regarding swallowing safety and communication needs

• Mentor graduate students and Clinical Fellows within a teaching hospital environment

• Support the continued growth of speech-language pathology services, including future outpatient opportunities

Required Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from an accredited program

• ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) required

• Tennessee Speech-Language Pathology license or eligibility

• Completion of Clinical Fellowship (CF)

• Minimum of 5 years of Speech-Language Pathology experience

• Strong experience in dysphagia evaluation and treatment

Preferred Qualifications

• Adult acute care hospital experience

• Experience managing medically complex and high-acuity adult patients independently

• Experience working in ICU and acute medical/surgical settings

• Experience performing MBSS/VFSS and FEES

• Interest in supporting future outpatient rehabilitation services

• Confidence serving as a clinical resource within an interdisciplinary team

Discover Life in Tullahoma, Tennessee

Enjoy the best of both worlds: a rewarding healthcare career and an exceptional quality of life. Tullahoma offers a welcoming community, beautiful scenery, excellent outdoor recreation, and a relaxed lifestyle without the stress of big-city congestion.

Residents appreciate:

• Easy, traffic-free commutes

• A lower cost of living compared to larger metropolitan areas

• Nearby lakes, parks, hiking trails, and outdoor activities

• A family-friendly community with a strong sense of connection

• Convenient access to Nashville, Chattanooga, and Huntsville for weekend adventures

Whether you're looking for more time with family, less time in traffic, or the opportunity to enjoy Middle Tennessee's natural beauty, Tullahoma is a wonderful place to live and work.

Ready to Make an Impact?

If you're a compassionate, experienced Speech-Language Pathologist who thrives in acute care and is passionate about helping adults regain function and improve quality of life, we encourage you to apply today.

Join Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital and become part of a nationally recognized healthcare system where your expertise is valued, your growth is supported, and your work changes lives every day.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Provides direct patient care within scope of practice.
• Evaluates, screens and treats human communication behaviors and disorders as well as swallowing and or other voice disorders.
• Initiates treatment plans, treatment, administration, instruction and consulting services.
• Apply principles, methods, and procedures for the prevention, identification, evaluation, treatment, consultation, habilitation, rehabilitation, instruction and research relative to the development and disorders of human communication, including but not limited to disorders related to speech, phonology, articulation, fluency, voice, accent, verbal and written language and related non-verbal forms of language, cognitive, communication, auditory and visual processing, comprehension, interactive communication, mastication, dysphagia, and other oral, pharyngeal, laryngeal sensorimotor competencies.
• The SLP may select and fit prosthetic and or electrical devices for speech and swallowing.
• Managerial and/or supervisory responsibilities related to the organization unit
• Participation in Performance Improvement ( PI ) activities.
• Marketing services as appropriate.
• Participate in career fairs, job expos, local or regional health fairs or community discussions/ panels as requested.
• Attends case conference meetings as needed.
• Participate in student programs when requested.
• Adheres to HRMC policies and procedures.
• Demonstrates professionalism within work-related activities.
• Adheres to and respects patient confidentiality.

TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES

Allied health is among the fastest growing occupations in healthcare today. This area can be defined as credentialed professionals who perform supportive, diagnostic, and therapeutic health care services to promote health and prevent disease in a variety of settings.

These areas are crucial to Vanderbilt Health’s reputation for excellence in these areas that has made us a major center for patient referrals from throughout the Mid-South.

Each year, people throughout Tennessee and the southeast choose Vanderbilt Health for their health care because of our leadership in medical science and our dedication to treating patients with dignity and compassion.

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Core Accountabilities:

Organizational Impact: Executes job responsibilities with the understanding of how output would affect and impact other areas related to own job area/team with occasional guidance. Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Analyzes moderately complex problems using technical experience and judgment. Breadth of Knowledge: Has expanded knowledge gained through experience within a professional area. Team Interaction: Provides informal guidance and support to team members.

Core Capabilities :

Supporting Colleagues:- Develops Self and Others: Invests time, energy, and enthusiasm in developing self/others to help improve performance e and gain knowledge in new areas.- Builds and Maintains Relationships: Maintains regular contact with key colleagues and stakeholders using formal and informal opportunities to expand and strengthen relationships.- Communicates Effectively: Recognizes group interactions and modifies one's own communication style to suit different situations and audiences. Delivering Excellent Services:- Serves Others with Compassion: Seeks to understand current and future needs of relevant stakeholders and customizes services to better address them.- Solves Complex Problems: Approaches problems from different angles; Identifies new possibilities to interpret opportunities and develop concrete solutions.- Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Provides ongoing support and coaching in a constructive manner to increase employees' effectiveness. Ensuring High Quality: - Performs Excellent Work: Engages regularly in formal and informal dialogue about quality; directly addresses quality issues promptly.- Ensures Continuous Improvement: Applies various learning experiences by looking beyond symptoms to uncover underlying causes of problems and identifies ways to resolve them. - Fulfills Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Understands all aspects of providing a safe environment and performs routine safety checks to prevent safety hazards from occurring. Managing Resources Effectively: - Demonstrates Accountability: Demonstrates a sense of ownership, focusing on and driving critical issues to closure.- Stewards Organizational Resources: Applies understanding of the departmental work to effectively manage resources for a department/area.- Makes Data Driven Decisions: Demonstrates strong understanding of the information or data to identify and elevate opportunities. Fostering Innovation:- Generates New Ideas: Proactively identifies new ideas/opportunities from multiple sources or methods to improve processes beyond conventional approaches.- Applies Technology: Demonstrates an enthusiasm for learning new technologies, tools, and procedures to address short-term challenges.- Adapts to Change: Views difficult situations and/or problems as opportunities for improvement; actively embraces change instead of emphasizing negative elements.

Position Qualifications:

Responsibilities:

Certifications:

LIC-Speech Pathologist - Tennessee

Work Experience:

Relevant Work Experience

Experience Level :

Less than 1 year

Education:

Master's

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within Vanderbilt Health, supported by a comprehensive benefits package which may include health, disability, retirement and/or wellness offerings to enhance your well-being and professional growth.

Vanderbilt Health is committed to fostering an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and is committed to the principles of equal opportunity.  EOE/Vets/Disabled.