Pediatric Speech Pathologist Casual

GENERAL SUMMARY:

The Speech-Language Pathologist is an independent health care professional who provides individualized patient care that assesses and treats speech, language, social communication, cognitive communication, voice, fluency and swallowing disorders in children and adults per physician referral. The Speech Language pathologist is responsible to evaluate referred patients, establish patient and family centered goals and develop and execute treatment plans to promote or maximize independence in the discharged setting. The staff speech language pathologist also participates in performance improvement and educational opportunities that promote the growth and development of the department and profession.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

·        Provide initial evaluations and re-evaluations of the patient’s status related to speech, language, social and cognitive communication, voice, fluency and/or swallowing consistent with physician referral.

·        Perform evaluations consisting of a review of the patient’s medical, surgical and social history. Interpretation of appropriate formal and informal tests in the following areas: Motor Speech, Verbal Expression, Written Expression, Voice and Resonance, Auditory Comprehension, Reading Comprehension, Hearing as it impacts speech and language, Swallow function, Non-Verbal Communication, Orientation, Attention, Problem Solving and Reasoning, Memory, Oral Motor Function, Pragmatics, and Visual Perceptual Skills. Objective tests can be complex and may need to be adapted due to medical comorbidities.

·        Create customized plans of care that coordinate therapist and patient and family directed goals to obtain achievable outcomes for prevention, intervention and sustainable wellness over the patient’s lifespan.

·        Implement and progress evidence-based therapy interventions consistent with established and modified goals and plans of care according to the patient’s response to treatment. Utilizes and supervises support staff as available and appropriate.

·        Develop and coordinate an integrated discharge plan that includes recommendations specific to the patient’s needs with other healthcare providers.

·        Consulting with peers regarding patient care is appropriate and supported. Formal or informal mentoring is required of more experienced and specialty therapists.

·        Maintains educational requirements by providing and attending in-services and staff meetings on a regular basis. Other educational responsibilities include assistance with orientation of new therapy staff, functioning as a Clinical Instructor with students, acting as clinical fellowship supervisor and serving as a mentor or Friend-at-Work to other clinicians. Communicates with participating Universities regarding skill level of students.

·        Assesses patient’s educational needs, addresses any patient barriers to understanding or learning and involves the patient, family and/or caregiver in the entire therapy experience per the patient’s preference. In addition, collaborates and communicates with other healthcare team members to promote optimal benefit from therapy and quality care.

·        Performs medically necessary documentation consisting of initial evaluations, re-evaluations, daily notes, plans of care with associated certification dates, physician letters, insurance authorizations and discharge notes which provide evidence of skilled care according to professional, departmental and payor standards.

·        Fulfills administrative duties associated with patient care which may include:

o   scheduling assistance

o   follow through with patient attendance

o   compliance with accurate and timely charging practices

o   assurance of appropriate referral and diagnostic coding

o   utilization of only the medically necessary services and number of visits

o   compliance with in