Speech/Language Pathologist

Job Purpose: Provides differential diagnostic and therapeutic services by assessing and treating inpatients and outpatients with central or peripheral disorders of speech, language, voice and/or swallowing. Duties: Defines patient's degree and type of speech, language, voice and swallowing impairment by selecting and administering the most appropriate test instruments; interpreting diagnostic data; preparing written diagnostic reports. Facilitates patient care by consulting with referring physician or agency. Counsels patients and their families by informing them about available treatment options. Minimizes delays in diagnosis and/or therapeutic intervention by coordinating and prioritizing the patient caseload. Improves the function of patients with speech, language, voice and/or swallowing impairments by planning treatment; conducting remedial programs. Modifies therapy program by periodically re-evaluating therapy goals; determining progress. Minimizes communicative impairment by providing counseling to the parents of the preschool, pre-lingual child who is at risk for speech or language disorder on language stimulation and other home-based methods. Educates staff and patients by designing and delivering training and in-service programs for speech pathology interns and medical students; preparing and presenting lectures to physicians, nurses, educators, patient groups and others. Improves quality results by studying, evaluating, and re-designing processes; implementing changes. Maintains legal and accreditation compliance by developing policy positions concerning federal, state, and local regulations, and jacho standards; anticipating emerging issues. Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations. Enhances speech pathology and hospital reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments. Skills/Qualifications: Problem Solving, Physiological Knowledge, Medical Teamwork, Bedside Manner, Use of Medical Technologies, Verbal Communication, Listening, Creating a Safe, Effective Environment, Self-Development, People Skills, Professionalism