SPEECH PATHOLOGIST- FT

GENERAL SUMMARY

Reports to the Director of Therapy Services. Evaluates and provides treatment to individuals with various communication, swallowing and cognitive deficits/disorders.

Includes age specific needs and cultural considerations in the plans of care. Communicates effectively with internal and external customers, members of the clinical team, and members of the therapy department. Treats patients in the following settings: acute hospital, outpatient, swing beds, and long-term care.

GIBSON AREA HOSPITAL & HEALTH SERVICES MISSION STATEMENT

To provide personalized, professional healthcare services to the residents of the communities we serve.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Evaluates patient’s speech/language/swallow/cognitive skills as related to his/her functional status, using standardized tests and measures. Incorporates pertinent medical information into the evaluation. Incorporates age-specific, language, and cultural needs into the individualized treatment plan.

2. Formulates individualized treatment plans consistent with objective findings. Establishes time based objective, and functional short and long-term goals.

3. Administers treatments and monitors each patient’s responses to the treatments. Adjusts the treatment plan according to patient responses.

4. Complies with department documentation policy. Critical elements in documentation are thoroughness, timeliness, and legibility. Documentation includes clinical documentation, billing information, and staff development records.

5. Communicates effectively with patients, caregivers, physicians, members of the healthcare team, and therapy peers and director.

6. Discusses clinical findings, goals, and treatments with patients and when appropriate with families/caregivers. Involves patients’ families in the evaluation and treatment process especially when working with pediatric patients. Ensures that instructions and conversations with the above individuals are understood by the involved parties.

7. Participates in discharge planning with patients/caregivers, physicians, nurses and social services personnel to promote timely and safe discharge arrangements.

8. Complies with all issues related to patient privacy.

9. Bills for therapy interventions accurately and ethically.

10. Assists in keeping work area clean, sanitary, and orderly.

11. Maintains knowledge of current trends and development in the field by reading appropriate books, journals, and other literature and attending related conferences and in-services.

12. Attends department staff meetings and participates in discussion. Attends all facility and department required educational sessions.

13. Supports the Hospital’s and department’s performance improvement efforts designed to enhance patient outcomes, increase patient satisfaction, and improve the utilization of the Hospital’s human, capital and physical resources.

14. Complies with the organizational attendance policy and use of the electronic timekeeping system.

15. Utilizes time efficiently and productively to enhance patient care, department operations, and the financial success of the department and organization.

16. Will manage hours and any overtime will be preapproved by the Director.

17. Completes all competency/ skills assessment requirements.

18. Complies with dress code.

19. Completes other duties as assigned.