Speech Language Pathologist - Inpatient - Neonatal- Neonatal - per diem

NorthShore University HealthSystem; Evanston (IL); On-site; USD 48,000 - 74,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Premium pay for eligible employees

Career growth & development

Medical, dental, vision options

Tuition reimbursement

Free parking

Wellness program

Job summary

Endeavor Health’s Evanston hospital is seeking a Speech Language Pathologist for the Inpatient Neonatal NICU. The role focuses on feeding, swallowing, and early communication for preterm and medically fragile infants, with a multidisciplinary care model and dedicated team support.

Responsibilities include collaborating with nursing, OT, and lactation consultants to develop individualized feeding plans, monitor progress, and educate staff. Requires IL licensure, CCC-SLP, and NICU experience.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from an ASHA-accredited program.
• Licensed to practice Speech-Language Pathology in Illinois.
• ASHA CCC‑SLP certification required.
• BLS/CPR certification from the American Heart Association required.
• Minimum two years’ independent NICU experience providing feeding services to preterm/complex infants.

Responsibilities

• Assess feeding readiness, swallowing function, and communication needs in neonates.
• Collaborate with occupational therapy and nursing on feeding plans and transitions to oral feeding.
• Support breastfeeding and transition to oral feeds with lactation consultants.
• Monitor progress with nursing and adjust treatment plans for stability and milestones.
• Educate staff on feeding/swallowing best practices and early communication strategies.
• Participate in care conferences and discharge planning with the NICU team.

Education

Master's degree in Speech Pathology

IL licensure for Speech-Language Pathology

CCC-SLP (ASHA)

BLS/CPR certification (AHA)

NICU/Neonatal feeding experience

Job description

Hourly Pay Range:

$35.16 - $54.50 - The hourly pay rate offered is determined by a candidate's expertise and years of experience, among other factors.

Position Highlights:

• Position: Speech Language Pathologist - Inpatient - Neonatal

• Location: Evanston, IL

• Per Diem hours as needed

• Hours: Days

• Required Travel: no

• Holidays: no

What you will do:

The Evanston Hospital Infant Special Care Unit is a Level III NICU providing critical care to newborns across the northern Chicagoland region. With over 500 annual admissions we provide expertise across neonatal issues including: specialized small baby care, therapeutic hypothermia, and high risk neonatal developmental follow up. We have a dedicated and supportive multidisciplinary care model that includes team members from nursing, pharmacy, respiratory care, dietary, and social work.

Clinical Care

• Assess oral feeding readiness, feeding and swallowing function, and communication needs for preterm and medically fragile infants.
• In collaboration with occupational therapy and nursing, support and implement individualized feeding and swallowing plans, including recommendations for oral vs. alternative feeding methods.
• Provide interventions to support safe and efficient oral feeding, caregiver-infant bonding, and prelinguistic communication development.
• Collaborate with lactation consultants to support breastfeeding success and transition to oral feeds.
• Work with nursing to monitor progress and adjust treatment plans in alignment with medical stability and developmental milestones.

Collaboration & Teamwork

• Partner with NICU medical, nursing, and therapy teams to support plan of care
• Contribute to care conferences and discharge planning to support transitioning to home and follow-up care as determined with manager.
• Provide education to staff regarding feeding/swallowing best practices and early communication strategies.

Family Support

• Collaborate with occupational therapy and nursing to educate and empower parents/caregivers on safe feeding techniques, cues of readiness, and strategies to promote bonding and communication.
• Provide resources and referrals for follow-up outpatient therapy or early intervention services as appropriate.

What you will need:

• License: Licensed as a Speech Language Pathologist in the State of IL required.

• Education: Master's degree in Speech Pathology from an accredited program by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

• Certification: BLS/CPR certification from the American Heart Association required.

• ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) required.

• Experience: Minimum two years independent work experience in a NICU providing feeding services to preterm infants/complex infants; relevant certifications; VSS experience with NICU infants.

Benefits (For full time or part time positions):

• Premium pay for eligible employees

• Career Pathways to Promote Professional Growth and Development

• Various Medical, Dental, Pet and Vision options

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Free Parking

• Wellness Program Savings Plan

• Health Savings Account Options

• Retirement Options with Company Match

• Paid Time Off and Holiday Pay

• Community Involvement Opportunities

Endeavor Health is a fully integrated healthcare delivery system committed to providing access to quality, vibrant, community-connected care, serving an area of more than 4.2 million residents across six northeast Illinois counties. Our more than 25,000 team members and more than 6,000 physicians aim to deliver transformative patient experiences and expert care close to home across more than 300 ambulatory locations and eight acute care hospitals - Edward (Naperville), Elmhurst, Evanston, Glenbrook (Glenview), Highland Park, Northwest Community (Arlington Heights) Skokie and Swedish (Chicago) - all recognized as Magnet hospitals for nursing excellence. For more information, visit www.endeavorhealth.org.

When you work for Endeavor Health, you will be part of an organization that encourages its employees to achieve career goals and maximize their professional potential.

Please explore our website (www.endeavorhealth.org) to better understand how Endeavor Health delivers on its mission to "help everyone in our communities be their best".

Endeavor Health is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. Please refer to the main career page for more information.

EOE: Race/Color/Sex/Sexual Orientation/ Gender Identity/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Vets, VEVRRA Federal Contractor.