The Speech Language Pathologist for Rehabilitation Services is responsible for assessment and treatment of speech and language disorders for St. Mary’s Children’s Hospital . Supports Hospital's mission to provide the highest quality care by complying with regulatory guidelines, meeting agency standards, and obtaining appropriate certification.
JOB DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provides services in speech pathology in accordance with the American Speech & Hearing Association's scope of practice guidelines. Demonstrates competency in the skills required by the facility on at least a bi-annual basis.
- Assists the physician in assessing the patient's level of functioning and the development (and revision, as necessary) of the plan of care by applying appropriate tests for speech, hearing and language disorders.
- Records and reports the patient's reaction to treatment and any changes in the patient's condition to the physician and/or nursing and other staff involved.
- Recommends hearing screenings, FEES and MBS when necessary. Checks hearing aids.
- Assesses the patient's feeding skill level, communication, oral-motor integrity, swallow safety cognitive status, memory and problem solving activities, hearing and speech fluency and vocal quality.
- Evaluates and regularly re-evaluates the speech pathology needs of the patient and assess for PMSV candidacy if appropriate. Therapist will initiate, develop, implement and make necessary revisions to the patient's plan of care. Assesses the patient's continual care needs. Includes all problems identified in the assessment in the plan of care or documents rationale for not doing so.
- Initiates diagnostic, preventive and rehabilitative procedures as appropriate to the patient's care and safety. Makes referrals to other disciplines as indicated by the needs of the patient or documents rationale for not doing so.
- Teaches, supervises and counsels the patient, family, and other health care team members in the phases of Speech Pathology in which they may assist the patient as appropriate to the patient's condition. Utilizes facility educational material as appropriate.
- Coordinates the total plan of care and maintains continuity of patient care by liaising with other health professions. Attends patient care meetings. Initiates patient care meetings for complex and/or multi-disciplinary patients when needed or helpful to ensure good coordination of care.
- Develops, prepares and maintains individualized patient care progress records with accuracy, timeliness and according to policies. Submits evaluation reports within 48 hours of the evaluation session.
- Participates in in-service programs.
- Demonstrates competency by training with Respiratory therapy for tracheal/nasal/oral suctioning and emergent trach change.
- Participates in care plan meetings, rounds and family meetings.
- Completes discharge summaries, MDS/care plan reports, patient grids and meditech documentation timely and accurately.
- Therapists will embrace the model of patient and family centered care and work in collaboration with parents to develop goals and track progress.
- During a patient session conducted bedside or in the Rehabilitation Department, a speech therapist will suction the patient as needed to facilitate the therapy session.
- Cooperates and consults with appropriate staff to provide staff education when requested and arranged by the Speech Language Pathologist Supervisor.
- Attend meetings and serve on a variety of patient care and strategic planning committees as assigned by the Supervisor or the Director of Rehabilitation.
- Participates in the quality improvement program of the facility.
- Provides supervision to a CF (Clinical Fellow) according to the New York State and ASHA guidelines.
- Participates in departmental research projects as needed/appropriate.