Speech-Language Pathologist I

About the role

The Speech-Language Pathologist I, under supervision, evaluates the therapy needs and designs appropriate treatment plans and goals to meet the needs of patients based on their service area. The Speech-Language Pathologist I performs relatively routine patient care for all age groups served. All services are provided in an inpatient and outpatient hospital setting.

Responsibilities

• Performs relatively routine patient care with fundamental skills in clinical reasoning and problem solving;
• Completes adequate intake of the patient's history, current medical diagnosis, patient's prior level of functioning, and patient's goals;
• Completes effective differential diagnosis of speech, language, cognitive and swallowing disabilities;
• Interprets diagnostic findings of speech, language, cognitive, and swallowing disabilities;
• Explains remediation procedures to other professionals and non-professional staff;
• Determines patient's general prognosis and patient's anticipated length of stay on a particular service;
• Develops appropriate treatment plans that include specific treatment methods, duration and frequency of treatment, and goals;
• Alleviates impairment and functional limitation by designing, implementing and modifying therapeutic interventions appropriate to patient's diagnosis, impairments and prognosis;
• Adapts treatment plans based on continuous assessment, progress made and patient goals;
• Maintains communication with supervisor regarding current caseload;
• Performs indirect patient care duties such as communication and coordination of care with the patient, family, caregivers, and other professionals, conference reporting, documentation, and charging according to procedures;
• Completes patient/family/caregiver education and training;
• Performs tasks listed above for an assigned caseload of patients.

Clinical Supervisory Responsibilities

• Provides clinical guidance to speech-language therapy student interns.

Administrative Responsibilities

• May assist with orientation and training of new service personnel as needed;
• Prioritizes and schedules patient treatment as assigned;
• Assumes selected responsibilities of other staff during temporary absences;
• May assist in the day to day operations of assigned service.

Professional and Program Development

• Maintains appropriate amount of required continuing education units;
• Participates in internal and external professional and educational activities to enhance personal and professional growth;
• Participates in hospital research as appropriate;
• May assist with program development as assigned;
• Keeps current on new treatment techniques.

Employment Standards

• A valid license, or eligibility for licensing, to practice as a Speech-Language Pathologist from the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board of California AND a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association;
• A minimum of nine months of required professional experience as a clinical fellow in Speech-Language Pathology.