Speech Therapist - Outpatient

Responsibilities

• Interprets physician referrals and conducts speech and language evaluations of patients with various speech, language, voice, cognitive, and swallowing disorders.
• Establishes a written plan of care and implements individualized treatment based on evaluation results, functional goals, and appropriate techniques.
• Monitors and evaluates outcomes, adjusting the treatment plan based on patient response, and provides status updates to physicians and teammates.
• Identifies factors affecting patient comfort (physical and psychosocial) and addresses these needs.
• Plans and completes patient discharge, including written home programs, patient/family teaching, referrals for community services, transition planning, and ordering equipment as needed.
• Communicates and collaborates with stakeholders to achieve optimum patient care.
• Completes all required documentation (evaluations, progress notes, team conference reports, discharge summaries) following department policy and accreditation standards.
• Records patient care and progress for assigned patients.
• Completes daily statistics, billing, and scheduling; applies insurance guidelines for authorization and visit limits.
• Maintains site/department productivity standards and adheres to billing/documentation policies, procedures, and timelines.
• Cleans up after patient treatment, puts away equipment, and maintains a neat and orderly workspace.
• Performs manual techniques, patient positioning, and transporting duties requiring lifting and pushing/pulling using proper technique.
• Demonstrates skill in using modalities, exercise equipment, and other devices per department orientation checklist.
• Demonstrates knowledge of indications and contraindications of modalities.
• Promotes patient safety by participating in safety initiatives and following infection control measures.
• Participates in performance improvement activities to resolve problems affecting patient care outcomes.
• Manages assigned caseload, informs leadership of coverage needs, and assists with coverage as needed.
• Pursues professional growth through continuing education, department in-services, and professional literature.
• Orients new staff to clinical and department policies as requested.
• Participates in co-worker evaluations by providing verbal or written feedback as requested.
• May supervise non-licensed personnel, delegating tasks while maintaining responsibility for patient care and goals.
• Supports the student clinical education program by monitoring, observing, and providing work direction to students (minimum one per year unless unavailable).

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Speech Pathology from an accredited school or educational requirements commensurate with the date of graduation.
• Speech Language Pathologist license issued by the state of practice (licensure in at least one state required prior to hire if supporting multiple states).
• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers (American Heart Association, obtained within 90 days unless exempted).
• Intermediate computer skills.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving abilities.
• Successfully completes competency assessments and annual educational requirements for hospital-based certifications (e.g., DNV, CARF).
• Demonstrates knowledge and skills to provide age-appropriate care across the lifespan.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, lift, and squat throughout the workday.
• Lifting requirements:
  • Lift up to 50 lbs. from floor to waist.
  • Lift up to 10 lbs. from waist to overhead.
  • Lift and carry up to 40 lbs. at waist height a reasonable distance.
• Pushing/pulling requirements:
  • Push/pull with 30 lbs. of force.
  • Perform a sliding transfer of 150 lbs. with a second person present.
• Repetitive use of hands:
  • Simple grasping (5-15 lbs.) – 20% of the workday.
  • Pushing/pulling (up to 75-100 lbs.) – 10% of the day.
  • Fine manipulation during massage and joint mobilization.
• Functional use of senses for effective communication.
• Exposure to electrical and chemical hazards, blood, and body fluids; must wear protective clothing as needed.
• May require travel, exposing the position to road and weather hazards.
• Operates all necessary equipment to perform the job.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred but not required:

• Additional certifications, registrations, or licenses beyond the minimum requirements.
• Relevant work experience in speech pathology or related fields.
• Enhanced knowledge, skills, or abilities in specialized areas of speech-language pathology.