GENERAL SUMMARY:
The Speech Therapist assists patients in the restoration or development of swallowing, speech and communication functions through evaluation and treatment.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
A. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
1. Evaluates patients' speech, language, and cognitive abilities in order to formulate and carry out treatment plans designed to restore communicative efficiency to patients with communication deficits.
2. Conducts swallowing evaluations upon physician referral and makes recommendations for management of dysphagia as appropriate.
3. Conducts flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) examinations upon physician referral to evaluate swallowing and makes recommendations for management of dysphagia as appropriate (if given privileges to perform FEES).
4. Discusses evaluation and treatment with patients and their families and instructs them in techniques to restore or compensate for communication and swallowing deficits/disorders.
5. Monitors patients' progress, statuses or revises therapy goals and treatment plans as necessary, determines when maximum recovery has been achieved, and dismisses patient from further treatment. Alerts physicians to signifi cant changes in patients' condition.
6. Reviews patients' charts, interviews patients and families, and consults with physicians and other relevant clinical professionals in order to evaluate patients' condition according to standard procedures.
7. Collaborates effectively with other members of the interdisciplinary team in order to gather and exchange patient/treatment information.
8. Performs related work including participating on committees, education of other disciplines in scope of practice, assisting in overseeing clinical internships, and promotes the Speech Therapy Department within the community.
9. Supervises, orients and evaluates students, orients and trains new department staff and volunteers as assigned.
10. Maintains accurate and timely documentation including evaluations, re-evaluations, progress notes, discharge summaries, patient education, and prepares documents to communicate to appropriate care team Mission Partners.
11. Maintains personal productivity at or above department standard.
12. Attends patient review conferences, clinics, in-service education classes and meeting as necessary. Attends mandatory department, Medical Center meetings, and other work-related educational programs.
13. Maintains knowledge of current trends and developments in the field and incorporates evidence-based practice into the delivery of care.
14. Supports and is involved in the continuous quality improvement efforts designed to increase patient outcomes, increase patient satisfaction, and improve the utilization of the human, capital, and physical resources to support OSF Key Results.
B. MARGINAL POSITION FUNCTIONS
1. Assists with projects and general division functions of OSF Rehabilitation Services, as needed.
KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:
1. Work requires a professional level of knowledge at a level normally acquired through completion of a Master's degree in Speech Language Pathology.
2. The Speech Pathologist is required to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide patient care appropriate to the population served.
3. The Speech Pathologist is solely responsible for obtaining and maintaining respective state license and clinical certification by the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA), unless completing Clinical Fellowship Year.
4. The Speech Pathologist must have the interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with patients and families. Additionally, communicates effectively with other treatment team members when gathering and exchanging patient condition information.
5. The Speech Pathologist must have the analytical ability to administer and evaluate standardized speech/language tests, conduct swallowing evaluations, evaluate patients' capabilities, develop treatment plans and monitor patients' progress.
6. Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills are required.
7. Demonstrated ability to work well with others.
8. Excellent computer skills and the ability to process detailed information in an accurate manner.
