Speech Pathologist

Job Profile Summary 

​ This role focuses on assessing the needs of patients who have physical, mental, or emotional disabilities and delivering therapy services to improve their developmental, physical or cognitive impairment.  In addition, this role focuses on performing the following Audio/Speech Therapy related duties: Evaluates patients and uses sound therapy to improve physical and mental conditions. Responsibilities also include improving physical and mental conditions through treating a variety of speech disorders and communication difficulties.   A professional individual contributor role that may direct the work of other lower level professionals or manage processes and programs.  The majority of time is spent overseeing the design, implementation or delivery of processes, programs and policies using specialized knowledge and skills typically acquired through advanced education.   A senior level role that requires advanced knowledge of job area typically obtained through advanced education and work experience.  Typically responsible for: managing projects / processes, working independently with limited supervision, coaching and reviewing the work of lower level professionals, resolving difficult and sometimes complex problems. 

Job Overview 

This clinician is responsible for evaluating and diagnosing complex problems relating to speech, language, communication, and/or swallowing disorders.  Responsible for formulating and recommending a plan, which may include therapy for the diagnosed problems, referrals for further consultations, extensive speech and language evaluations, or suggestions for a home training program in order to achieve a maximum level of functional independence. This position may work in both an inpatient and outpatient setting.  This position is also responsible for documenting all age-appropriate patient care appropriately in the medical record to comply with the policies and procedures of the department and Joint Commission requirements.  Also responsible for supervision of other staff clinicians. 

Job Description 

Minimum Qualifications: 

1. Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. 

2. Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech and Hearing Association. 

3. Massachusetts state Speech Therapist License. 

4. Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification.

5. Three (3) years of experience as a Speech Therapist

Preferred Qualifications:

1.FEES experience 

2. Acute care experience

3. MBS experience

4. NICU experience

Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list.  Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.

1. Evaluates and/or screens patients referred to Speech and Language Pathology with a high degree of professional competency & efficiency while successfully delivering competent care to patients in a continuum of ages from infancy to adulthood. 

2. Evaluates and treat inpatients in the acute care setting on both the general floors and ICU’s .

3. Makes recommendations which may include therapy, referrals for further consultations, extended speech and language evaluations, or suggestions for a home training program monitored by the clinician.  

4. Prepares complete written reports of evaluations and progress of individual cases.  

5. Determine clinical indication and timeline trajectory for instrumental swallowing evaluations

6. Selects the appropriate tests, measures, and rehabilitation services, and providing these in a consistent, efficient manner of high-quality patient care.  

7. Educates and counsels patients, staff, and caregivers on diagnosis, etiology and rehabilitation trajectory

8. Accurately assess/treat and document thoroughly in a timely manner. 9. Completes documentation, including evaluation reports, progress notes, periodic re-assessments and d/c summaries in a timely manner.  Complies with insurance requirements including obtaining MD signatures and insurance approvals. 

10. Participates in regularly held staff conferences, to determine and reassess treatment goals and progress; and for attending family conferences to keep the family abreast of progress and problems.  

11. Participates in interdisciplinary and family conferences with other professionals serving the patient in order to coordinate services.  

12. Educates and in-services staff on clinical skills, acts as a clinical liaison to other staff. Assumes accountability for professional growth and development in order to maintain a high level of clinical competency, accepts role of clinical instructor. 

13. Collaborates with Respiratory Therapy, Surgical Residents, and Pulmonary on care plan progression for patients with tracheostomy.  

14. Monitors individual workloads and assisting the appointment secretary in scheduling sufficient clinical activity in order to meet workload requirement.  

15. Keeps abreast of current literature in the field and for acquiring the knowledge and skills regarding new tests, instruments, machines, etc. in the field.  

16. Maintains a working knowledge of the patient care program and devices available to patients.  

17. May be responsible for initiating and/or participating in research projects, as required.  

18.  Assist with holiday and weekend coverage PRN via on-call schedule

Physical Requirements:  

1. Frequent standing & walking & transferring of patients. 

2. Requires manual dexterity using fine hand manipulation to operate computer keyboard, dexterity to provide quantitative testing and manual treatment techniques to a wide variety of patients. 

3. Requires ability to see computer screen and reports.   

4. Visually assess injury and functional status of patients, audibly assess patient subjective complaints. 

Skills & Abilities: 

1.Broad foundation of knowledge and skills in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with a wide variety of speech, language, cognitive, and communicative disorders. 

2. Demonstrate interpersonal skills including communication, teamwork, and willing to work one-on-one or a group basis. 

3. Ability to work independently, to be self-motivated and well organized. Ability to function well in very busy situations. 

4. Responsible and reliable. 

5. Demonstrates flexibility and able to adjust to changes at a moment’s notice. 

6.  Maturity to operate effectively within a multi-disciplinary setting. 

7. Able to work effectively with a wide variety of patients with acute and long term disability. 

8. Ability to read/write and communicate in English. 

9. Must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to assess the needs of patients of all different age populations in order to provide care appropriately.  

10. Ability to observe and evaluate treatment effect and adjust plan of care as appropriate. 

11. Demonstrates proper time management skills to attain department productivity while assuring quality patient care.