Description
The Speech Language Pathologist provides comprehensive diagnostic services to patients referred for a possible speech, language, hearing, and/or swallowing disorder. With physician referral and approval, treatment plans are implemented to address communication barriers and enable each individual to reach his or her maximum level of independence.
Essential Functions
- Performs comprehensive evaluations of referred clients using standardized testing tools. Documents results in format approved by facility.
- Provides speech therapy for all types of speech, language, hearing, and swallowing disorders.
- Completes all documentation that is required for each patient (progress notes, summaries, re-evaluations).
- Communicates to physicians, appropriate members of staff, patient and family members regarding patient needs and progress, either by documentation or, if necessary, direct contact.
- Supplies billing information to appropriate staff, in a proper and timely manner for all patient procedures.
- Participates in and attends rehabilitation team conferences and clinic staff meetings as scheduled.
- Provides supervision for and co-signs documentation for staff Speech Language Assistants.
- Observes patient confidentiality and follows HIPAA guidelines.
- Monitors inventory of supplies and equipment. Requests orders of needed supplies and equipment in a timely manner to avoid emergency ordering.
- Keeps informed of changes and innovation in the field through professional contacts, literature, and workshops.
- Continually pursues professional growth and acts as a resource for expertise in the Speech field.
- Assumes personal responsibility for professional development and continuing education.
- Provides education and counseling to patients and their families that will reinforce the therapy provided in the clinic.
- Provides education related to Speech Therapy to staff and the general public upon request.
- Either attends and actively participates in or obtains an excused absence and arranges for make-up for all mandatory meetings and in-services.
- Suggests and develops new patient programs and ideas for treatment as appropriate.
- Demonstrates skills of effective time management.
- Demonstrates positive interpersonal communication skills while maintaining standards of professional ethics.
- Must be able to treat patients who exhibit challenging and aggressive behaviors.
- Must be able to recognize that the challenging behaviors are a mode of communication rather than an untreatable patient.
- Follows all ATC Policy & Procedures.
- Performs other duties as delegated, required, or requested.
Requirements
- Meets the education and experience requirements for a Certificate of Clinical Competence in (speech pathology or audiology) granted by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
- Meets the educational requirements for certification and is in the process of accumulating the supervised experience required for certification.
- Competent to treat pediatrics and adolescents.
- CPR certification for all age groups.