Speech and Swallowing Technician – Clinical Support

Vanderbilt University Medical Center•Nashville, TN

19h•Onsite

About The Position

The Speech Pathology Technician provides essential clinical, operational, and scheduling support to Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) across acute care hospitals and outpatient medical speech clinics. This full-time, weekday role supports adult endoscopic swallowing evaluations (FEES), outpatient pediatric scheduling, and high-volume medical SLP clinics. By assisting with procedures, patient flow, equipment processing, and appointment coordination, this role directly improves clinician efficiency and patient access to care. This position is patient-facing and requires professionalism, empathy, strong communication skills, and the ability to manage clinical and administrative details in a fast-paced healthcare environment.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED
Less than one (1) year of experience in a healthcare, clinical support, or patient-facing role
Ability to work directly with patients in a clinical environment
Basic computer skills, including comfort with scheduling systems and clinical documentation tools

Nice To Haves

Experience as a Medical Assistant, Patient Care Technician, Care Partner, Rehab Technician, Clinical Assistant, or similar healthcare support role
Prior experience in speech pathology, rehabilitation, ENT, GI, or procedural clinical environments
Experience supporting adult patients in acute or outpatient care settings
Strong communication skills, emotional intelligence, patience, and empathy when interacting with patients and families
Experience with appointment scheduling, rescheduling, and managing cancellations
Detail‑oriented with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities
Familiarity with infection control practices, equipment handling, or scope reprocessing
Rehab PTA/COTA Patient Documentation (Novice)
Quality Assurance (Fundamental Awareness)
Audiology Patient Education (Novice)
Equipment Maintenance (Fundamental Awareness)

Responsibilities

Assist Speech-Language Pathologists during Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) to improve workflow and patient throughput
Support adult swallowing evaluations by preparing rooms, transporting and positioning equipment carts, and assisting with patient flow
Perform scope processing, cleaning, and high-level disinfection in accordance with established infection-control protocols
Provide calm, respectful, and compassionate patient interaction during assessments and procedures
Schedule and coordinate pediatric outpatient swallow studies, including monitoring for cancellations and rescheduling appointments
Proactively identify and fill appointment openings to reduce cancellations and improve clinic utilization
Communicate clearly and professionally with patients, caregivers, and clinical staff regarding appointment changes
Assist outpatient medical SLP teams by supporting templates, workflows, and documentation tools
Complete routine clinic tasks including: Weekly food and supply expiration date checks, Operating dishwashers and assisting with clinic sanitation processes
Maintain organized, detail oriented workflows across multiple care settings
Provides support to speech language pathologists and audiologists through collection of data, assisting with researching topics, transportation of patients or other patient care support services.
Assists in safe provision of functional activities (leading hand washing, toileting/diaper changing, snack activities for pediatrics).
Provides support to speech language pathologists and teachers of the deaf and hard of hearing for implementing developmentally appropriate curriculum and activities.
Maintains supplies at acceptable levels.
Prepares treatment areas (set up group therapy rooms based on number of patients served and focus of therapy, set up individual therapy/assessment rooms based upon age and/or diagnosis, clean up/reorganize treatment rooms at the conclusion of service).
Provides basic screening services (Prepare infant or child for hearing screening, performs hearing screening and communicates results to family).