Speech-Language Pathologist, Acute Care, PRN position

Advocate Health Care; Elgin (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Advocate Health Care is seeking a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist in Elgin, Illinois, to evaluate and treat patients with speech, language, voice, cognitive, and swallowing disorders. The ideal candidate will have a Master's degree in Speech Pathology and be capable of establishing treatment plans. Responsibilities include interpreting referrals, monitoring treatment outcomes, and coordinating patient discharge. Candidates should possess strong communication and organizational skills, along with decision-making abilities. This position offers an opportunity for professional growth and development.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Speech Pathology from an accredited program.
• Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist in the state of practice.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification within 90 days.

Responsibilities

• Interpret physician referrals and evaluate patients' speech and language disorders.
• Establish and implement individual treatment plans based on evaluations.
• Monitor treatment outcomes and adjust plans as necessary.
• Plan for and complete patient discharge including written home programs.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Decision-making skills

Organizational abilities

Problem-solving skills

Intermediate computer skills

Education

Master’s degree in Speech Pathology

Job description

Major Responsibilities

• Interprets physician referrals and conducts a speech and language evaluation of patients with various speech, language, voice, cognitive and swallowing disorders.
• Establishes a written plan of care and implements individual treatment based on evaluation results and functional goals, using appropriate techniques.
• Monitors and evaluates outcomes; adjusts the treatment plan based on patient response and provides status updates to physicians and other teammates.
• Identifies factors affecting patient\'s physical and psychosocial comfort and attends to these needs.
• Plans for and completes patient discharge, including written home programs, patient/family teaching, referrals for community services, transition planning within the continuum of care, and ordering equipment as indicated.
• Communicates and collaborates with relevant stakeholders to achieve optimum patient care.
• Completes documentation per department policy and accreditation standards with appropriate co-signatures, including evaluations, progress notes, team conference reports, and discharge summaries.
• Records patient care and progress; completes daily statistics, billing, and scheduling; applies insurance guidelines regarding authorization and number of visits.
• Maintains site/department productivity standards and adheres to billing and documentation policies, procedures, and timelines.
• Maintains a clean and orderly treatment area, assists with equipment, and uses modalities, exercise equipment, and devices per department orientation; understands indications and contraindications of modalities.
• Promotes patient safety by participating in safety initiatives and following all infection control measures.
• Participates in performance improvement activities and manages assigned caseload; coordinates coverage with site leadership as needed.
• Pursues professional growth through continuing education, department in-services, and reading professional literature; orients new staff to clinical and department policies; participates in coworker evaluations as requested.
• May supervise non-licensed personnel in compliance with state and local requirements; delegates tasks to assistive personnel while maintaining responsibility for patient plan of care and goals; supports student clinical education with supervision of at least one student per year when available.

Minimum Job Requirements

• Education: Master’s degree in Speech Pathology from an accredited program or educational requirements commensurate with graduation date; maintains continuing education requirements per state standards.
• Certification / Registration / License: Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist in the state of practice; Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers (within 90 days unless exempted); Certificate of Clinical Competence from ASHA or eligible for CFY.
• Work Experience: No experience required.
• Knowledge / Skills / Abilities: Intermediate computer skills; excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational abilities; strong decision-making and problem-solving skills; completes competency assessments aligned with site standards; maintains annual educational requirements for hospital certifications as applicable; demonstrates knowledge to provide care appropriate to patient age and developmental needs.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, lift, and squat during the workday.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs from floor to waist; lift up to 10 lbs from waist to overhead; lift and carry up to 40 lbs at waist height a reasonable distance.
• Must be able to push/pull with 30 lbs of force and perform sliding transfers with a second person present (up to 150 lbs).
• Position requires repetitive use of hands, including simple grasping (5–15 lbs, 20% of the workday), pushing/pulling (75–100 lbs, 10%), and fine manipulation for massage and joint mobilization.
• Must have functional use of senses for effective communication; exposure to electrical/chemical hazards and body fluids; may require protective clothing.
• Position may require travel and exposure to road and weather hazards; operates all job-related equipment.