Reports to the Director of Rehabilitation Services and functions under the supervision of the Supervisor, Speech and Language Pathology or the Manager of Rehabilitation Services.  The speech and language pathologist (SLP) provides diagnostic and therapeutic intervention for speech, language, voice, swallowing and fluency disorders and functions as an integral member of the rehabilitation team.  The SLP provides age and developmentally appropriate evaluation and treatment to the adult and geriatric patient.--> 

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Exemplifies the RML REACH (Service Excellence) culture by demonstrating respect, excellence, appreciation, concern and honor in all interactions with patients, families and co-workers, and as identified in departmental and hospital wide behavioral expectations.

• Evaluates the patient’s abilities by administering age appropriate standardized evaluations to assess cognitive-communication skills, functional communication and language skills, speech production, and swallowing skills. Utilizes assessment tools including, but not limited to:

  • Informal observation

  • Neuro-sensory stimulation profiles

  • Brain injury test batteries

  • Information processing assessments

  • Diagnostic aphasia examinations

  • Apraxia batteries

  • Oral-motor evaluations

  • Articulation tests

  • Dysarthria profiles

  • Speech intelligibility tests

  • Swallowing assessments

  • Videofluoroscopic swallowing evaluations

  • Passy-Muir valve assessment

• Collaborates with the patient, family and treatment team to develop an age specific plan to meet each patient’s individual treatment goals in order to promote the highest level of function and independence possible.

• Provides age appropriate treatment for the improvement of cognitive-communication skills. Treatment may include, but is not limited to:

  • Multi-sensory system stimulation

  • Perception and discrimination

  • Attention and concentration

  • Orientation

  • Organization

  • Memory

  • Verbal reasoning and problem solving

  • Numerical reasoning

  • Pragmatic use of language

  • Judgement and safety awareness

• Provides age appropriate functional communication/language skills training.  Modalities may include, but are not limited to:

  • Auditory comprehension

  • Verbal expression

  • Reading comprehension

  • Written expression

  • Recognition and use of gestures

  • Speech production

• Provides age appropriate treatment for motor speech disorders. Treatment techniques may include strength and range of motion exercises, rate control, articulation training, and breath support activities.

• Provides age appropriate treatment to improve swallowing skills. Treatment may include, but is not limited to:

  • Techniques to increase range of motion and strength of oral-facial muscles to improve preparatory and oral stage of swallowing.

  • Techniques to improve timeliness of swallow and airway protection for improved pharyngeal phase of swallowing.

  • Therapeutic feedings to train individuals in safe swallowing procedures and to monitor for signs and symptoms of aspiration.

  • Training and instruction in the use of compensatory strategies to assure safe oral intake.

  • Recommendation of appropriate diet consistency for liquids and solids.

• Documents patient evaluation and progress in the computerized record. Completes and logs patient charges. Completes discharge summaries.

• Participates in and prepares reports for the Medically Complex interdisciplinary team meetings, staffings and rounds to report patient’s response to treatment, patient progress and to plan and/or modify the treatment plan.

• Provides family education and encourages family participation in carrying out learned rehabilitation strategies.

• In collaboration with the treatment team, assists the patient in recognizing and adjusting to the limitations of the disability.

• Recommends further therapy or post-discharge care as appropriate.

• Provides services in accordance with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) code of ethics, the Speech and Language Pathology state practice act of Illinois and the policies and procedures and standards of RML Specialty Hospital.  Manages time, resources and supplies effectively and productively.

• Identifies and addresses opportunities to improve processes or patient care outcomes particularly related to improving patient safety.  Participates in department and facility Performance Improvement initiatives as requested.  Implements all applicable components of patient safety goals.

• Actively participates in staff meetings and continuing education activities.  Participates on committees or task forces and attends meetings as may be assigned.  Meets all annual and ongoing employee requirements (TB Testing,  Annual Review, Annual Clinical Validation, and performance evaluation, etc.) by demonstrating completion prior to due date.

• Supports a safe work environment for self and others by reporting unsafe conditions and by using appropriate safe work practices such as proper body mechanics and applicable safety devices (patient lift and transfer equipment, PPE, etc.)

• Assists in the orientation of new department staff, serving as preceptor for new staff or students as requested.  Provides education for staff of other disciplines in rehab therapy principles and techniques, as assigned. 

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND CHARACTERISTICS 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills, abilities and working conditions associated with the job of Speech & Language Pathologist at RML Specialty Hospital.