Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) - Per Diem

Advocate Health • Chicago, IL

6d • $38 - $57

About The Position

The Speech Language Pathologist provides acute-care evaluation and treatment for patients with speech, language, voice, cognitive, and swallowing disorders. This is a per-diem role primarily covering weekend shifts between Advocate South Suburban and Advocate Trinity in the South Chicago area, with an expected 1–2 shifts per month. Occasional weekday PRN availability is optional. Shifts are during the day.

The position includes evaluating patients, developing and adjusting individualized plans of care, monitoring outcomes, and coordinating care and discharge planning with patients, families, physicians, and other stakeholders. The SLP completes required clinical and administrative documentation, maintains productivity and billing standards, follows safety and infection-control practices, and participates in quality improvement and professional development. The role may include supervising non-licensed personnel and supporting student clinical education.

The role requires a master’s degree in Speech Pathology, a state Speech Language Pathologist license, and CCC-SLP. Basic Life Support certification is required within 90 days unless the department leader determines it is not required. Previous SLP experience is preferred. The work requires physical activity including lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, patient transfers, and operating necessary equipment. The employee may encounter electrical and chemical hazards, blood and body fluids, and travel-related road and weather hazards.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Speech Pathology from an accredited school, or educational requirements commensurate with the date of graduation.
• Maintain continuing education requirements mandated by applicable state professional standards.
• Speech Language Pathologist license issued by the state in which the teammate practices; for roles supporting multiple states, licensure in at least one supported state is required before hire.
• Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers certification from the American Heart Association, obtained within 90 days unless the department leader determines it is not required.
• CCC-SLP required.
• Intermediate computer skills.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organization skills.
• Excellent organization, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Successfully complete competency assessments and requirements for patient care consistent with site standards.
• Maintain annual educational requirements for hospital-based certifications, such as DNV or CARF, as applicable.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills for care appropriate to the ages of patients served, including lifespan growth and development and the ability to assess and interpret patient data for age-specific needs.
• Be able to sit, stand, walk, lift, and squat throughout the workday.
• Be able to lift up to 50 pounds from floor to waist and up to 10 pounds from waist to overhead.
• Be able to lift and carry up to 40 pounds at waist height a reasonable distance.
• Be able to push or pull with 30 pounds of force and perform a sliding transfer of 150 pounds with a second person present.
• Be able to perform repetitive hand use, including simple grasping, pushing/pulling, and fine manipulation during massage and joint mobilization.
• Have functional use of senses sufficient for effective communication.
• Be able to wear protective clothing as needed when exposed to electrical or chemical hazards and blood or body fluids.
• Operate all equipment necessary to perform the job.

Nice To Haves

• Previous SLP experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Interpret physician referrals and evaluate patients with speech, language, voice, cognitive, and swallowing disorders.
• Develop written plans of care and provide individualized treatment using appropriate techniques and functional goals.
• Monitor treatment outcomes, adjust plans according to patient response, and provide status updates to physicians and teammates.
• Identify and address factors affecting patients’ physical and psychosocial comfort.
• Plan and complete patient discharges, including home programs, patient and family education, community-service referrals, transition planning, and equipment orders as appropriate.
• Communicate and collaborate with stakeholders to support optimal patient care.
• Complete patient evaluations, progress notes, team conference reports, discharge summaries, and other required documentation in accordance with department policies and accreditation standards.
• Record patient care and progress; complete daily statistics, billing, and scheduling; apply insurance authorization and visit guidelines; and meet productivity standards.
• Follow billing and documentation policies, procedures, and timelines.
• Clean up after treatments, put away equipment, and keep the work area neat and orderly.
• Perform manual techniques, patient positioning and transport, and lifting and pushing/pulling tasks using proper techniques.
• Use available modalities, exercise equipment, and other devices according to department orientation and demonstrate knowledge of their indications and contraindications.
• Promote patient safety and follow applicable safety and infection-control measures.
• Participate in performance-improvement activities to address problems affecting patient outcomes and improve quality of care.
• Manage the assigned caseload, inform site leadership of coverage needs and availability, and assist with coverage based on department and regional needs.
• Pursue professional growth through continuing education, department in-services, and professional literature.
• Orient new staff to clinical and department policies and provide feedback on co-workers when requested.
• When applicable, supervise non-licensed personnel, delegate patients to assistive personnel, and provide direction and ongoing supervision while retaining responsibility for plans of care and goals.
• Support student clinical education by monitoring, observing, and directing at least one student per year when students are available.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off programs.
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and short- and long-term disability benefits.
• Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses.
• Adoption assistance and paid parental leave.
• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs.
• Educational Assistance Program.
• Competitive compensation, with premium pay such as shift or on-call pay where applicable, incentive pay for select positions, and potential annual performance-based increases.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time