Speech Language Pathologist

DHR Health - US:TX:McAllen - Days

Summary:

FLSA STATUS: ☐ Exempt ☒ Non-Exempt

MISSION STATEMENT:

Our Mission is to improve the well-being of those we serve with a commitment to excellence: every patient, every encounter, every time.

VISION:

Our Vision is to create a world-class health system to advance medicine and increase access for the communities we serve by empowering caregivers to heal through compassion, knowledge, innovation, integrated care and excellence.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Responsible for administration and direct application of Speech/Language Pathology treatment modalities as prescribed by a referring physician. Evaluates, plans, directs and treats all patients referred to speech/language pathology. Treatments are provided to restore function and prevent disability following disease or injury. Assists patients to obtain maximum performance and function in while learning to live a routine "normal" life within the constraints of their disability. Schedules patient visits for speech pathology evaluation and treatment. Participates in infection control, safety and educational programs, both in the department and on an organizational basis.

Responsibilities:

POSITION EDUCATION/ QUALIFICATIONS:
• Master's degree from an approved college or school of speech/language pathology.
• Current State Licensure in speech pathology (as Speech Pathologist).
• Current BLS certification.
• Organizational skills is necessary
• Good written and verbal communication skills required.
• Ability to read, write and speak English
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely with all levels of nursing, administration, and physicians
• Prefer hospital experience

JOB KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE:
• Knowledge of principals and practice of speech pathology.
• Performance of technical skills related to speech pathology.
• Knowledge of infection control, sterile technique and related impact on rehabilitative medicine practice and equipment.
• Ability to read and communicate effectively in English.
• Additional languages preferred.
• Strong written and verbal skills.
• Basic computer knowledge
• Knowledge of equipment utilized in the diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of speech pathology.
• Must be able to determine appropriate patient procedures and evaluate results.
• Ability to maintain control and respond calmly and positively during crisis situations (i.e., Code Blue).
• Appropriate telephone communication skills.

Other information:

POSITION RESPONSIBILITES:
• Promotes the facility mission, vision and values by effectively communicating them to others. Considers mission, vision and values in developing services, standards and practice
• Upon physician referral, performs patient evaluations to determine problems and goals.
• Prepares reports related to Speech/Language Pathology activities, (performance improvement activities upon request).
• Documents appropriately in the medical record for all Speech/Language Pathology treatments, assessments and evaluations performed for the inpatient and population.
• Formulates a treatment plan based upon identified needs and evaluates effectiveness of plan, family is included in education/instruction as appropriate.
• Develops and implements effective treatment programs in consultation with physicians. Treats patients in accordance with Speech/Language Pathology standards of care and practice.
• Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity. Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic and religious/spiritual needs of patients and family.
• Confers with the individuals most closely associated with the patient and keeps them informed on patient needs, treatment modifications and progress.
• Performs examinations such as swallowing examinations accurately and communicates results timely to all appropriate members of the healthcare team. Interacts professionally with patient/family and involves patient/family in the formation of the plan of care.
• Intercedes for the patient when dietary revisions are necessary to prevent aspiration.
• Provides patient care in a manner that ensures patients' needs are met and facility policy is followed.
• Demonstrates an ability to be flexible, organized and function under stressful situations.
• Maintains a good working relationship both within the department and with other departments.
• Treats patients of all ages (i.e., pediatric to geriatric), race, gender and disability without bias.
• Consults other departments as appropriate to collaborate in patient care and performance improvement activities.
• Communicates appropriately and clearly to physicians, staff and administrative team.
• Participates in departmental education on performance improvement. Attends departmental orientation and in-service training for department staff member, participates in guidance and educational programs per hospital policy.
• Adheres to dress code, appearance is neat and clean.
• Completes annual educational requirements.
• Maintains regulatory requirements.
• Maintains patient confidentiality at all times.
• Reports to work on time and as scheduled; completes work within designated time.
• Wears identification while on duty.
• Completes in-services and returns in timely fashion.
• Attends annual review and department in-services, as scheduled.
• Attends committee, CQI and management meetings when requested.
• Ensures compliance with policies and procedures regarding department operations, fire, safety and infection control. Maintains medical staff rules/requirements as well as regulatory body standards.
• Maintains standards of professional Speech/Language Pathology procedures and ethical behavior.
• Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner.
• Complies with all organizational policies regarding ethical business practices.
• Communicates the mission, ethics and goals of the facility, as well as the focus statement of the department.
• Other duties as assigned

LINES OF REPSONSIBILITES:

(Chain-of-command)

1. Therapy Supervisor → 2. Director → 3. Vice President

CUSTOMER SERVICE:

Provide excellent customer service to all DHR customers. All employees are required to attend the DHR C.A.R.E.S program which outlines the Customer Service Principals including: Commitment, Accountability, Respect, Excellence and Service.

AGE SPECIFIC:

Employees must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served in his/her assigned unit. The individual must demonstrate knowledge of principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirement relative to his or her age.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT: (ADA):

A. Essential Duties: Indicated by bold print within performance standards, preceding individual numbered criteria.

The following table provides physical requirements that will be associated with, but not limited to, this position:

Light/moderate lifting up to 20 lbs, from the floor to shoulder height.

Yes

Kneeling

Yes

Must be able to assist other employees with lifting more than 20 lbs.

Yes

Walking

Yes

Light/moderate carrying up to 20 lbs.

Yes

Standing/Squatting

Yes

Straight pulling

Yes

Sitting

Yes

Pulling hand over hand

Yes

Pushing

Yes

Repeated bending

Yes

Stooping/Bending

Yes

Reaching above shoulder

Yes

Climbing Stairs

Yes

Simple grasping

Yes

Climbing Ladders

No

Dual simultaneous grasping

Yes

Depth Perceptions needed

Yes

Ability to see

Yes

Identify Colors

Yes

Operating office equipment

Yes

Twisting

Yes

Operating mechanical equipment

Yes

Crawling

No

Ability to read and write

Yes

Ability to Count

Yes

Ability to hear verbal communication without aid

Yes

Operating Personal Vehicle

Yes

Ability to comprehend written/verbal communication

Yes

Other: Ability to deal with stress

Yes

OSHA Category

III

B. Working Conditions: The individual spends over 95% of his/her time in an air-conditioned environment with varying exposures to noise. There is protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes. The position does have low exposure to malodorous, infectious body fluids from patients and some minimal exposure to noxious smells from cleansing agents.

C. Occupational Exposure: This position has minimal to no exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues and is an OSHA Category III (although situations can be imagined or hypothesized under which anyone, anywhere, might encounter potential exposure to body fluids). Person who performs these duties are not called upon as part of their employment to perform or assist in emergency medical care or first aid or to be potentially exposed in some other way.

D. Aptitudes: HIGH 1 2 3 4 5 6 LOW

Intelligence: General learning ability: The ability to "catch on" or understand instructions and underlying principles. Ability to reason and make judgments. 3

Verbal: Ability to understand meanings of words and ideas associated with them, and to use them effectively. To comprehend language, to understand relationships between words, and to understand meanings of whole sentences and paragraphs. To present information or ideas clearly. 3

Numerical: Ability to perform arithmetic operations quickly and accurately. 2

Spatial: Ability to comprehend forms in space and understands relationships of plane and solid objects. Frequently described as the ability to "visualize" objects or two or three dimensions, or to think visually of geometric forms. 2

Form Perception: Ability to perceive pertinent details and objects or in pictorial or graphic material to make visual comparisons and discriminations and see slight differences in shapes and shadings of figures and widths and lengths of lines. 3

Clerical Perception: Ability to receive pertinent details and verbal or tabular material. To observe differences in copy, to proofread words and numbers, and to avoid perceptual errors in arithmetic computation. 2

Motor Coordination: Ability to coordinate eyes and hands to fingers rapidly and accurately in making precise movements with speed. Ability to make a movement response accurately and quickly. 3

Finger Dexterity: Ability to move hands easily and skillfully. To work with fingers in placing and turning motions. 3

Manual Dexterity: Ability to move hands easily and skillfully. To work with hands in placing and turning motions. 3

Eye-Hand-Foot Coordination: Ability to move the hand and foot coordinately with each other in accordance with visual stimuli. 3

Color Discrimination: Ability to perceive and respond to similarities or differences in colors, shapes, or other values of the same or different color. To identify a particular color, or to recognize harmonious or contrasting color combinations, or to match color adequately. 3

I have read and reviewed my job description with my supervisor or designee and I understand the job I am expected to perform.

If applicable ____________ certification will be completed within _________ time frame of hire/transfer date.

Employee Signature: ________________________________ Date: ____________________