Speech Language Pathologist (Acute Care) - CCC Required

Job Description : JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB DESCRIPTION

The position description is a guide to the critical duties and essential functions of the job, not an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, qualifications, physical demands, and work environment conditions.

Position descriptions are reviewed and revised to meet the changing needs of the organization.

TITLE : Speech Language Pathologist Inpatient / Speech Language Pathologist Clinical Resource

JOB OVERVIEW : The position requires current Speech Language Pathology skills to evaluate, plan, implement and / or delegate a comprehensive plan of patient care.

The Speech-Language pathologist should be able to provide therapy that meets the needs of the patient with a safe discharge / transition plan including re-assessment / re-evaluation of the patient's functional abilities;

assess the impact of simple to complex therapeutic modalities and procedures as outlined in the patient plan of care; maintain excellent communication with all types of patients, caregivers, and healthcare team members, understand VMC and department policies and procedures and state / federal regulations and guidelines for ethical and appropriate provision and billing of services.

Basic program development, quality improvement with staff development, marketing activities, team leadership and delegation are components of this position.

Student supervision, volunteer supervision, and peer mentoring may be a component of this position.

DEPARTMENT : Speech Pathology

WORK HOURS : Variable, Monday through Friday

Weekend and Holiday rotation is expected as part of employment

REPORTS TO : Manager, designee - Supervisor or Lead

PREREQUISITES :

Current Washington State Speech-Language Pathology Interim or Active License.

Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech Pathology (CCC-SLP) from the American Speech-Hearing-Language Association OR be in the process of completing a Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY) with supervision by a CCC-SLP in accordance with standards defined by the ASHA.

QUALIFICATIONS :

Current BLS certification within 90 days of hire

Complete certification through ASHA within first 12 months of hire

Effective interpersonal skills

Professional appearance

Demonstrate ability to prioritize multiple tasks, set priorities and work accurately and independently

Demonstrate ability to communicate and to work effectively with the physical, emotional, socioeconomic, and developmental abilities and needs of all age groups, cultural and social backgrounds, and other diversity related contributors

UNIQUE PHYSICAL / MENTAL DEMANDS, ENVIRONMENTAL AND WORKING CONDITIONS (See Generic Job Description for typical physical / mental demands, environment and working conditions) :

Follows all Safe Patient Handling policies and procedures and has the ability to recognize own limitations with regards to load handling, regularly seeking assistance when demand of transfer or lift exceeds individual physical abilities.

Must be able to lift / carry 40 lbs. to complete patient care services. This position requires hand dexterity for manual treatment techniques and to operate equipment.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES : The following criteria reflect fundamental job duties and essential functions of this position but should not be considered an exhaustive list.

For example, area of assignment, hours of the position, specialization, availability of other employees, changes in job demands, or the consequences of not performing a task, may affect the identification of, and emphasis on, a particular task as a fundamental job duty and / or essential function.

Generic Job Functions : See Job Description for Clinical Partner

Essential Responsibilities and Competencies : Speech-Language Pathologist

The Speech-Language Pathologistmay be learning and mastering all of the tasks listed in the Generic and Unique Job Functions sections of the job description.

They may have specific skills dependent upon specific teams and need continued training to be able to see all types of patients served at VMC.

Leadership skills in program development, quality management, day-to-day time management, student and volunteer supervision are areas of development in this position.

ENVIRONMENT OF CARE / INFECTION CONTROL AND PREVENTION- see Generic Job Description - Clinical Partner

Interact appropriately with equipment vendors and gather information on new products to enhance patient care. Provide information to the Clinical Lead, Supervisor, Manager or Rehab Director as applicable.

Always maintains safe and efficient patient care areas to ensure safety of patients, visitors

and staff. Maintains a clean workstation and safely handles technology.

Actively seeks new ways to work with patients via new equipment or supplies, new treatment or evaluation methods, and serves as a resource to other staff in the use of equipment and treatment techniques.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT- see Generic Job Description - Clinical Partner

1. Participate in ongoing identification of risks for department or team and provide feedback

regarding the development of strategies for preparedness.

2. Fulfill clinical / non-clinical role as assigned during an emergency. Continue to provide

appropriate care, treatment and services to our patients during an emergency.

3. Provide feedback to team on evaluation of emergency operations for department / team and

assist to return department to normal operations as assigned.

COLLABORATION AND MENTORSHIP

Provide student supervision experiences after orientation completion. Additional student responsibilities can be provided as coordinated by the Manager or designee.

Provide volunteer supervision after orientation is completed, as applicable.

Provide direct supervision and delegation to Rehab Aide staff for patient treatment and programs.

Orient new staff as appropriate.

When needed, collaborate with nursing on feed, communication and cognition plans plans to prevent complications.

Participate in multidisciplinary rounds. Provide discharge planning recommendations that may include the anticipated need for rehabilitation, equipment, or home care services.

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT -see Generic Job Description - Clinical Partner

Complete certification for care in a timely manner to allow for continuity of care.

Perform accurate, appropriate, and timely documentation according to standards, protocols, and pathways as appropriate. Complete documentation by the end of the shift for inpatient and within 3 business days of the completed visit or before next scheduled visit for outpatient therapy services.

Follow policies and procedures for appropriate billing in a timely manner for patient care. Understand and comply with the (8 minute and substantial billing) rules, laws and regulations pertaining to patient billing and documentation for quality patient care.

Utilize technology for communication with team as appropriate. Utilize email, internet, phone and other technology to create an efficient environment for teamwork.

Demonstrate ability to utilize all technology to assist with meeting patient care needs, quality management reviews, and outcome information.

Able to utilize technology to monitor patient information, quality improvement processes, and program evaluation.

LEADERSHIP- see Generic Job Description - Clinical Partner

Participate in the development of new programs or program changes by which a specific service or program can expand and better serve the community.

Participate in networking and professional collaboration to promote Therapy Services or programs.

Demonstrate ability to learn new service delivery as appropriate.

Participate in educational activities, provide in-services following the attendance of continuing education courses.

Participate in the strategic plan initiatives led by Strategic Leaders.

Participate in community service / volunteering events.

PROVISION OF CARE, TREATMENT AND SERVICES- see Generic Job Description - Clinical Partner

Perform evaluations that include patient functional status appropriate to the patient diagnosis or condition and pain level if identified.

Collect, analyze, and integrate the information in the evaluations from all sources of the healthcare team available including sources such as but not limited to;

patient / family interview, patient observation, RN, MD and other discipline specific assessments. Integrate this information to set appropriate individualized assessment and plan of care for therapy services based on patient's identified needs.

Set specific goals in the plan of care as determined at the time of the evaluation. Specific goals will assist each patient in restoring, improving, or maintaining each patient's optimal level of functional performance in self-care, self-responsibility, independence and quality of life.

Adhere to the Department and Organizational Policies / Procedures and Treatment Protocols in all clinical areas.

Perform and document re-evaluations or re-assessments that include the patient's response to care, change in functional performance, completion of goals set at initial evaluation, pain level management appropriate to the patient's individualized plan of care and identified needs.

Evaluate and recommend home programs or community resources, home safety equipment, etc. as indicated to facilitate a safe discharge to the next level of care and reduce the likelihood of readmission to the hospital.

Act as a resource for the development, refinement, and revision of patient educational materials for quality service delivery.

Provide patient / family education that will assist them in meeting their goals, increase their functional skills and improve their quality of life and independence.

Collaborate with the full care team to provide appropriate patient care information. Alter treatment plan as needed by incorporating information obtained by other team members into the treatment plan.

Clearly communicate discharge recommendations to patients and families to facilitate a safe and appropriate discharge plan.

Identify and report issues that can impact a safe discharge and increase the length of stay.

Demonstrate ability to determine the need for further treatment, discharge, or continuation of care with appropriate services.

Demonstrate ability to provide appropriate information to subsequent providers related to the patient's plan of care and services when a patient moves to different services.

IMPROVING ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE- see Generic Job Description - Clinical Partner

Assist Department Leadership in setting goals and objectives for the clinical services for specific programs or overall service and program delivery.

Meet department-specific productivity standards.

Create, collect, and analyze data to participate in department process improvement as related to program evaluations, patient care needs or as directed by Director, Manager, Clinical Lead or designee.

Understand and value research in critically looking at individual patient care and program development and process or outcome improvement.

Share this with others and show evidence of growth in practice area.

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE INDIVIDUAL - see Generic Job Description - Clinical Partner

Maintain all appropriate certifications and licenses specific to the role.

Comply with the professional ethics and code of conduct in professional organization, , American Speech and Hearing Association.

Clinical Resource Specific Job Duties :

In addition to the job responsibilities outlined below for the Inpatient and Outpatient Speech Language Pathologist, the Clinical Resource meets the following requirements :

Has achieved and maintains clinical competency with all primary inpatient patient populations.

At least 3 years of clinical experience

Maintains productivity expectations consistently

Resource for leads on projects

Date Created : 4 / 22

Revised : 7 / 22, 1 / 24

Grade : NC27, NC28

FLSA : NE

Cost Center : 7210

Job Qualifications : PREREQUISITES :

PREREQUISITES :

Current Washington State Speech-Language Pathology Interim or Active License.

Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech Pathology (CCC-SLP) from the American Speech-Hearing-Language Association OR be in the process of completing a Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY) with supervision by a CCC-SLP in accordance with standards defined by the ASHA.

QUALIFICATIONS :

Current BLS certification within 90 days of hire

Complete certification through ASHA within first 12 months of hire

Effective interpersonal skills

Professional appearance

Demonstrate ability to prioritize multiple tasks, set priorities and work accurately and independently

Demonstrate ability to communicate and to work effectively with the physical, emotional, socioeconomic, and developmental abilities and needs of all age groups, cultural and social backgrounds, and other diversity related contributors