Speech Pathologist - Pediatric Therapy

Responsibilities

• Affirms and documents initial assessment/care within required time frames.
• Performs and reassesses/care at intervals as required or appropriate to the patient’s needs.
• Ensures physical assessment/care includes all major body systems.
• Incorporates spiritual assessment/care including actual/expressed needs.
• Incorporates cultural and ethnic factors into assessment/care.
• Establishes long and short-term goals.
• Timely reporting of weekly progress in interdisciplinary staffing and outcome measures as directed.
• Assesses swallowing via bedside swallow exam/modified barium swallow.
• Establishes presence of consent/order prior to treatment/procedure.
• Demonstrates the ability to accurately access and document staffing, patient care activities and hospital processes.
• Uses computer system(s) appropriately.
• Documents in the medical record according to policy/procedure.
• Documents daily and weekly progress notes as directed.
• Turns in charge log within 24 hrs. After treatment.
• Does daily charges on the computer prior to leaving work each day.
• Completes documentation of evaluations within 72 hours after admit and discharge summary within 5 days of discharge as directed.
• Obtains knowledge of, and demonstrates compliance with infection control policies and procedures:
• P Practices Standard Precautions in patient care activities.
• P Practices appropriate disease specific isolation as required.
• P Appropriately handles and disposes of sharps.
• P Demonstrates good hand washing.
• P Complies with FOAM IN/FOAM OUT of all patient rooms.
• P Complies with fingernail policy.
• P Wears PPE when applicable.
• Provides for the education/training of the patient/family:
• P Identifies and documents patient/family educational needs upon initial assessment and thereafter.
• P Identifies barriers to learning.
• P Provides and documents teaching based on identified needs.
• P Teaches at a level of understanding related to the patient/family member’s level of education.
• P Evaluates the effectiveness of instruction provided.
• P Assessment and teaching that incorporates cultural and ethnic factors.
• P Assessment and teaching that incorporates functional needs.
• Oversees patient care on basis of patient classification and staff expertise to ensure quality of care:
• P Initiates assessment of patient within 24 hours of consult or functional screen as directed.
• P Demonstrates empathetic and positive attitude when working with patients.
• P Conducts chart audits for accuracy and adequate documentation as directed.
• P Visits and interviews patient and communicates with families when present or necessary.
• P Re-evaluates and modifies the plan of care, based on the patient’s response to the interventions.
• P Ensures proper orientation of new therapy associates.
• P Ensures competencies and licensure are current.
• P Appropriately coordinated or delegates to technical support.
• P Assists in supervising and monitoring compliance of duties assigned to the techs.
• P Completes MBS, interprets results, and makes recommendations for an appropriate diet.
• P Provides documentation for physician and medical record.
• P Takes appropriate action to address issues.
• P Demonstrates sound clinical judgement in decision-making regarding patient care.
• P Provides for the plan for therapy care into the interdisciplinary care and management of the patient/family.
• P Communicates effectively with associates, physicians and allied health team.
• P Coordinates therapy care with other disciplines involved.
• P Provides assessment for swallowing.
• P Coordinates and implements dysphagia program with other disciplines.
• P Communicates with nursing staff any changes in swallowing status and diet recommendations for patients.
• P Actively participates in 50% of departmental in-services and meets with manager for information missed in other meetings as documented on sign in sheet (attendance is for full time associates, relief associates may read the minutes).
• P Assures the rights of the patient/family are respected and maintained:
• P Allows for privacy in the provision of care.
• P Identifies self by name and title to patient/family.
• P Utilizes AIDET when interacting with patients.
• P Reports suspected cases of abuse/neglect, if identified.
• P Understands role of, and how to access, the Ethics Committee.
• P Demonstrates knowledge of unit specific policies and procedures and the ability to safely and competently use unit specific patient care equipment in the delivery of quality patient care:
• P Completes Unit Specific Annual Competency Checklist.
• P Complies with fingernail policy.
• P Wears PPE when applicable.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Speech Language Pathology is required.
• Vital Stim, FES, MBSIMP, and E-Swallow certifications are preferred.
• Experience English required, bilingual preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Certifications in Vital Stim, FEES, Metronome, Big and Loud are preferred.
• Current Louisiana SLP License.
• Current BLSASHA (American Speech and Hearing Association) Certification, after completing the requirements of the clinical fellowship year.

Schedule

• 5 Days - 8 Hours
• Work Type: Full Time