Speech Language Pathologist

General Summary

Specializes in diagnoses and treatment of speech, language, and swallow disorders. Complies with all safety and infection control standards.

Participates in quality management and continuous quality improvement activities. Performs all job duties and responsibilities in a courteous and customer-focused manner according to the Hurley Family Standards of Behavior.

Supervision Received

Works under the supervision of the Director of Rehabilitation Therapy Services, Rehabilitation Therapy coordinator or designee who reviews work for conformance with established policies, procedures, and standards. Clinical Fellowship Year incumbents may receive clinical direction from a Speech & Language Pathologist who possesses a Certification of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Supervision Exercised

Speech & Language Pathologists who possess a Certification of Clinical Competency from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association may exercise supervision over Speech-Language Clinical Fellows and student externs.

Responsibilities and Duties

1. Administers standardized and non-standardized diagnostic tests for communicatively and swallow impaired inpatients. Interprets findings. Develops function based plans of care receiving input from patient and families.

2. Treats communicatively and swallow impaired patients utilizing a variety of current treatment techniques to achieve desired outcomes. Adjusts treatment plans as indicated by patient response. Considers risk factors, patient family learning, and barriers to goal achievement. Takes into consideration medications and their impact upon cognition/functional activity level.

3. Documents care plans, daily treatment and periodic progress notes, and discharge summaries in conformance with departmental standards.

4. Identifies patients at risk for aspiration. Implements compensatory strategies and recommends safe swallow techniques to other care staff.

5. Instructs patients in use and care of medical equipment associated with speech therapy.

6. Develops, implements, and instructs patients and family members in home programs as appropriate.

7. Contributes pertinent information at interdisciplinary team/family conferences.

8. Remains abreast of clinical and administrative practice trends through ongoing continuing education. Serves as mentor to students and advisor to Clinical Fellowship Year candidates.

9. Collaborates with other team members in making referrals to community and school-based programs.

10. Provides care consistent with third-party payer requirements.

11. Demonstrates effective judgment and ability to understand, react competently, and treat (if appropriate) unique needs of patient groups served.

12. Performs other related duties as required. Utilizes new improvements and/or technology that relate to job assignment.

Minimum Entrance Requirements

• Master’s degree in Speech and Language Pathology from an accredited college or university.

• Knowledge of various diagnostic categories.
• Knowledge of methodologies of habilitation/rehabilitation.
• Knowledge of a variety of communication alternatives such as artificial larynges, augmentative communicative devices, voice prostheses, etc.

• Familiarity with medications and their impact upon cognition/functional activity level.

• Familiarity with third party payer requirements.
• Demonstrated competency in interventions being provided.
• Ability to instruct patients in use and care of medical equipment.
• Ability to conform to departmental performance standards.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with supervisors, co-workers, Medical Center employees, patients, and the public.

Necessary Special Qualification

• Certificate of Clinical Competence, or eligibility for certification, in Speech and Language Pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association or engaged in completing Clinical Fellowship Year requirement for certification. Failure of incumbents to obtain certification within one (1) year from date of employment may result in the employee’s termination.