SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST

Duties

• Performs evaluations of speech, language, cognitive linguistic and swallowing functions on assigned patients based on physician referral.
• Formulates individualized therapy plans based on physician’s orders and the findings of patient's initial assessment.
• Documentation of written information is clear, concise and well organized.
• Participates in Interdisciplinary Team Conferences and discharge planning by assessing patient’s needs for rehab services to ensure successful transition once discharged to appropriate setting.
• Provides patient and family with ongoing education and counseling regarding the nature of patient’s disorders.
• Includes patient and family in goal setting process to ensure functional outcomes.
• Actively participates in unit based/hospital Performance Improvement (PI) projects.
• Maintains and develops competence through required in-services, continuing education programs, workshops and staff meetings pertinent to relevant areas of clinical practice.
• Exercises tact, sensitivity, sound judgment & professional attitude when relating to patients/visitors & employees.
• Adapts conventional speech therapy techniques and treatments to meet the needs of more challenging patients.
• Selects and/or adapts appropriate screening/evaluation materials for a comprehensive assessment.
• Obtains/compiles complete case history including current diagnosis, compounding medical issues, past medical history and factors that may affect outcome.
• Demonstrates competency in assessing/interpreting:
  • Expressive language skills including verbal expression, oral reading and written expression.
  • Receptive language skills including auditory comprehension, reading comprehension & understanding of written information.
  • Cognitive linguistic skills including linguistic orientation, problem solving, immediate/STM & LTM
• Completes adequate oral peripheral mechanism exam.
• Performs bedside swallow evaluation and demonstrates knowledge of over / cover signs of oral/pharyngeal dysphagia.
• Appropriately refers for Video Fluoroscopic Swallow Study (VFSS).
• Identifies and interprets oral’s pharyngeal phases of swallowing related to VFSS and adequately communicates findings to medical staff.
• Recommends appropriate consistency diet levels utilizing information form bedside swallow evaluation and VFSS.