Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) - Pediatric Acute Care

Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt seeks an experienced Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) to join Pediatric Rehabilitation Services in Nashville, TN.

The role focuses on evaluations and treatments for feeding disorders, dysphagia, and communication challenges across NICU, PICU, and inpatient units. You will work with a skilled interdisciplinary team to support outcomes for medically complex children and families, employing VFSS and family-centered care in a pediatric acute care

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology.
• ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP).
• Tennessee Speech-Language Pathology license or eligibility for licensure.
• Minimum one year of pediatric acute care hospital experience.
• Pediatric feeding and swallowing evaluation and treatment experience.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and treat pediatric feeding, swallowing, dysphagia, speech, language, and communication disorders in an acute care setting.
• Provide care for medically complex infants, children, and adolescents, including patients with tracheostomies and neurological conditions.
• Perform Videofluoroscopic Swallow Studies (VFSS) to support feeding and swallowing recommendations.
• Develop individualized treatment plans focused on functional outcomes and family-centered care.
• Collaborate with physicians, nurses, therapists, dietitians, and other healthcare professionals.
• Educate families and caregivers on feeding strategies and discharge planning.
• Document evaluations and progress in the EMR.
• Support continuity of care through discharge planning and coordination.

Skills

Pediatric care collaboration

Feeding/swallowing evaluation

Family-centered care

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Education

Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology

ASHA CCC-SLP

Tennessee SLP license or eligibility

Job description

Discover Vanderbilt Health : With eight hospitals and over 180 clinics, we are the region's largest comprehensive academic health system. Vanderbilt Health has a long tradition of providing world-class care to the people of the Mid-South, living out our mission of moving medicine forward through preeminent programs in patient care, education and research. Here you'll find a spirit of collaboration and a supportive community where your expertise is valued, your knowledge expanded and your uniqueness celebrated. We are committed to fostering an environment where talented, compassionate people are united in bringing the most advanced care to our neighbors throughout the region.

Organization:

Hearing And Speech

Job Summary:

Evaluates and treats patients with speech, language, voice, cognition, fluency, auditory (re)habilitation, and swallowing/oral feeding disorders. Educates and counsels patients and families. Provides independent therapeutic services and identify area(s) of clinical specialization and competency. Supervises graduate students as assigned in clinical specialty area. Participates actively in identifying and conducting quality improvement activities. Collaborates with clinical practice team to achieve patient outcomes and system objectives.

Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) - Pediatric Acute Care

Location : Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt | Nashville, TN

Department : Pediatric Rehabilitation Services

Schedule : Full-Time | Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. | Weekend Rotation: 3-4 Half Days per Quarter

Are you passionate about helping children safely feed, swallow, communicate, and thrive?

Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt is seeking an experienced Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) to join our Pediatric Rehabilitation Services team.

In this acute care role, you'll provide specialized evaluation and treatment for infants, children, and adolescents with feeding disorders, swallowing impairments, communication challenges, and complex medical conditions. Working across the NICU, PICU, inpatient units, and specialty services, you'll collaborate with a highly skilled interdisciplinary team to support exceptional outcomes for children and families.

This position is ideal for an SLP who enjoys pediatric acute care, feeding and swallowing disorders, dysphagia management, Videofluoroscopic Swallow Studies (VFSS), and caring for medically complex patients in a nationally recognized children's hospital.

What You'll Do

• Evaluate and treat pediatric feeding, swallowing, dysphagia, speech, language, and communication disorders in an acute care setting.
• Provide care for medically complex infants, children, and adolescents, including patients with tracheostomies, neurological conditions, traumatic brain injuries, and developmental disabilities.
• Perform Videofluoroscopic Swallow Studies (VFSS) to support safe feeding and swallowing recommendations.
• Develop individualized treatment plans focused on functional outcomes and family-centered care.
• Collaborate closely with physicians, nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, dietitians, respiratory therapists, and other healthcare professionals.
• Educate families and caregivers regarding feeding strategies, swallowing safety, communication development, and discharge recommendations.
• Document evaluations, treatment plans, and patient progress in the electronic medical record.
• Support continuity of care through discharge planning and interdisciplinary coordination.

Why Vanderbilt Health?

• Practice at one of the nation's leading pediatric hospitals.
• Treat a diverse and medically complex pediatric population across the continuum of acute care.
• Gain advanced experience in pediatric feeding and swallowing, dysphagia management, VFSS, NICU, and PICU services.
• Work alongside nationally recognized experts in pediatric rehabilitation and acute care.
• Access continuing education, mentorship, and professional development opportunities.
• Join an academic medical center committed to innovation, research, and exceptional patient care.

Required Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology
• ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP)
• Tennessee Speech-Language Pathology license or eligibility for licensure
• Minimum one year of pediatric acute care hospital experience (outside of graduate school opportunities)
• Pediatric feeding and swallowing evaluation and treatment experience

Preferred Qualifications

• NICU experience
• PICU experience
• VFSS experience
• Pediatric dysphagia management experience
• Level I Trauma Center experience

Make a Difference Every Day

At Vanderbilt Health, Speech-Language Pathologists play a critical role in helping children safely eat, communicate, recover, and reach their fullest potential.

If you're passionate about pediatric acute care, feeding and swallowing disorders, dysphagia management, and interdisciplinary collaboration, we'd love to hear from you.

Join our team and h