Speech Pathologist

Looking to be part of something more meaningful? At HonorHealth, you’ll be part of a team, creating a multi-dimensional care experience for our patients. You’ll have opportunities to make a difference.

From our Ambassador Movement to our robust training and development programs, you can select where and how you want to make an impact. HonorHealth offers a diverse benefits portfolio for our full-time and part-time team members designed to help you and your family live your best lives.

Visit honorhealth.com/benefits to learn more. Join us. Let’s go beyond expectations and transform healthcare together. HonorHealth is one of Arizona’s largest nonprofit healthcare systems, serving a population of five million people in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area.

The comprehensive network encompasses six acute-care hospitals, an extensive medical group with primary, specialty and urgent care services, a cancer care network, outpatient surgery centers, clinical research, medical education, a foundation, an accountable care organization, community services and more.

With nearly 17,000 team members, 3,700 affiliated providers and close to 2,000 volunteers dedicated to providing high quality care, HonorHealth strives to go beyond the expectations of a traditional healthcare system to improve the health and well-being of communities across Arizona. Learn more at HonorHealth.com.

Responsibilities

Job Summary

The Speech Pathologist is responsible for the identification, evaluation, and treatment of speech, language, cognitive-communication, voice and swallowing disorders for patients of all ages of care.

They use specialized skills to promote goals of prevention of dysfunction, restoration of function and/or reversal of the progression of pathology in order to enhance quality of communication, voice, swallowing and cognitive-linguistic abilities.

In collaboration with patients and family members, they develop and update appropriate plans of care that assist in returning patients to their highest level of function.

The act in accordance with physician referral guidelines, state and national organizational standards, regulatory agencies, and established departmental policies and procedures.

They embody strong customer service skills and communicate in a concise, tactful manner with physicians, co-workers, caregivers, family members, patients and other healthcare professionals.

Essential Functions

Implements an individualized treatment plan through the use of skilled, evidence-based therapy techniques, addressing disorders related to speech, language, cognitive-linguistic, voice, swallowing, fluency and all other areas within scope of practice.

Provides verbal and written instructions to patients, caregivers, and family members as needed. Maintains a current knowledge of speech pathology techniques through continuing education courses, professional journals, etc. as well as DNV and Medicare requirements.

Evaluates patients per Department Operating Policy. Demonstrates sound clinical reasoning in synthesizing data gathered in the evaluation and instrumental assessments and when identifying treatment diagnoses.

Establishes an appropriate, comprehensive plan of treatment with measurable, obtainable and functional goals and a defined discharge plan.

Demonstrates competency in all areas of objective measurement, as appropriate to the setting (i. e., modified barium swallow studies, fiber-optic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing).

Maintains accurate and current documentation in the patient’s medical record as required by the profession and the department, including evaluations, daily treatment notes, updated individualized treatment plans, progress reports, discharge summaries, and daily patient charges.

Completes billing and billing sheets according to department billing procedures and within established timeframes. Assumes responsibility for role in achieving/maintaining financial stewardship by utilizing all resources effectively and efficiently.

Provides instruction and teaching of therapeutic procedures and ongoing routine care as needed. Teaches patient, family, and appropriate staff the exercises, activities and routine care that may be appropriately performed by other personnel or patient/family.

Utilizes effective communication and interpersonal skills to enhance and encourage collaborative relationships. Acts as a resource for therapy-related issues to therapy assistive personnel and staff from other departments.

Confers with the physician to clarify treatment plan and discuss patient status when indicated. Consults with appropriate medical personnel regarding patient’s needs, status, and discharge plans. Communicates any speech pathology discharge recommendations to case managers and other key personnel.

Participates in interdisciplinary rounds as indicated. Communicates information and addresses concerns to achieve optimal treatment outcomes as demonstrated through feedback and documentation. Utilizes effective communication and interpersonal skills to enhance and encourage collaborative staff relationships.

Assists in the identification of department needs and process improvements. Contributes to the recruitment and retention of talented staff through positive role-modeling and fostering peer relationships. Participates in departmental and interdepartmental staff meetings, in-services, utilization review programs, committees and student preceptor and/or mentor programs.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Education

Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from an accredited university approved by the ASHA, prior to starting employment - Required

Experience

• Network float position: six (6) months recent experience - Preferred
• 6 months experience - Preferred

Licenses and Certifications

Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology from ASHA and current AZ License to Practice Speech Language Pathology or A Clinical Fellow with a current Temporary AZ License in Speech Language Pathology issued by the AZ Department of Health Services, prior to starting employment - Required

Basic Life Support (BLS) prior to starting employment - Required