Speech Language Pathologist - Per Diem

Hospital for Special Care; United States; On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Hospital for Special Care is seeking a Speech-Language Pathologist to join our interdisciplinary team. In this role, you will be responsible for diagnosing and managing cognitive communication and swallowing disorders, as well as educating staff, patients, and families.

You must possess a Master's degree in speech-language pathology and a Connecticut license. The position requires excellent communication skills and the ability to work with a diverse patient population.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an ASHA accredited master's program in speech-language pathology.
• Connecticut license or requirements to begin supervised experience.
• Preferred ASHA certificate of clinical competence.

Responsibilities

• Diagnose and manage cognitive communication and swallowing disorders.
• Provide education to staff, patients, and families.
• Maintain documentation for patient care.

Skills

Diagnosis of communication disorders

Cognitive communication management

Patient education

Communication skills

Education

Master's degree in speech-language pathology

Connecticut license for speech-language pathology

Job description

Position Location: Hospital for Special Care – Scheduled Weekly Hours: 0 – Work Shift: First Shift – Department: Autism Outpatient

QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduate of an ASHA accredited master’s program in speech-language pathology.
• Connecticut license or requirements met to begin a supervised professional experience in speech-language pathology.
• ASHA certificate of clinical competence or eligibility in speech-language pathology (preferred).
• Competency in the diagnosis and management of cognitive communication and swallowing disorders.
• Valid driver’s license (NBU only).

JOB SUMMARY

The speech-language pathologist is a member of an interdisciplinary team responsible for accurate diagnosis and quality management of cognitive, communication and swallowing disorders. He/She is also responsible for communicating relevant information to others and providing education to staff, patients, and families as necessary.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Job requires carrying of documents/books/materials or small equipment; transport, transfer or assistance in lifting patients; frequent walking, standing, sitting during many treatment sessions or meetings usually no more than ninety minutes; reaching and bending to access file drawers or cabinets; possible participation in physical restraint of patients; lifting and carrying of children. Manual dexterity is required to write, type, or use computer, cut, manipulate materials including toys and equipment, feed patients, and provide oral motor manipulation. Must be able to tolerate up to four hours of consecutive work. Endurance for up to one and one‑half hour periods of constant sitting and one hour periods of independent mobility. Occasional need to initiate body position changes such as climbing, squatting, kneeling or crawling. Ability to lift or carry objects up to 10 pounds continuously, to 50 pounds occasionally. Have the ability to push/pull over 60 pounds occasionally throughout the day for patient transport. Intact/corrected vision needed for observation of patient’s non‑verbal responses. Must be able to initiate and interpret communication with patient and others.

COGNITIVE DEMANDS

Job requires independent problem identification. Abstract reasoning and adaptability to new situations, changing environments and information and quick decision‑making are required. A high degree of selective attention, discernment, perception, and/or concentration in the presence of noise/distraction is necessary. Job requires the ability to analyze and synthesize information, to discriminate relevant from irrelevant information and to determine prognosis through interpretation of information. Job requires the ability to learn new techniques and apply knowledge of injury, deficits, and prognosis to therapeutic intervention, discharge planning, and communication with patient/family and treatment team. Job requires ability to apply theory to functional context and demonstrate reading and auditory comprehension of abstract information and an ability to make inferences. Job requires a high degree of writing proficiency including attention to detail, adherence to all elements of style and ability to postulate. A working knowledge and familiarity with medical terms and definitions is required. Job requires a working knowledge of current Medicare guidelines and requirements for documentation and billing. For outpatient therapists, knowledge of relevant documentation and billing requirements for other payers is also required. Job requires a high level of communication skill including expression of abstract/complex ideas, use of negotiation and active listening and an ability to dialogue with multiple parties. Must demonstrate the ability to modify communication skills to the listener’s level of ability or readiness to comprehend. Job requires the ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide with all units of measure, and the ability to perform these operations with common and decimal fractions. It also requires the ability to compute ratio, rate and percent and perform arithmetic operations involving all American monetary units. The job requires manipulation of test scores and related statistics and ability to interpret statistical information.

WORK DEMANDS

Job requires primarily working indoors with an occasional need to be outdoors. Job requires working regularly around many others and continuously with some others. Schedule fluctuation is frequent and often unpredictable due to census, documentation requirements or program development. There is exposure to body fluids, contagious disease and occasionally blood borne pathogens and radiation. There may be exposure to cigarette smoking in Neurobehavioral Program.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Provides evaluation of patients with communication, cognitive, and swallowing impairments as dictated by the state practice act and licensure requirements. Recognizes physiological, psychological, and age‑related changes in the patient, consults with other Health Care Team members, and establishes measurable goals with the patient and family based on appropriate patient care protocols and critical paths.

Plans, implements, delivers, and delegates patient care by utilizing appropriate interventions based on assessments, revising treatments when needed, instructing patient/family through verbal, written, and audiovisual materials and participating in discharge planning including recommendations to community resources to meet patient needs throughout the continuum of care.

Maintains knowledge of advances in the care delivery through evidence‑based review, peer reviews, case discussion and continuing education.

Coordinates time management of self and support personnel by organizing schedules to meet patient care needs, carrying a patient load that meets productivity requirements and reflects standards of care of the service area collaborating with team members for assistance and coverage when needed to meet patient outcomes and department goals and standards.

Supervises responsibilities that have been delegated to supportive personnel.

Documents in a timely manner all patient and professional interactions such as evaluations, assessments, progress towards goals, equipment purchase orders, statistical reports, home programs and discharge summaries to maintain continuity of patient care for department standards, JCAHO and outside regulatory and insurance agencies.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.