Speech Language Pathologist

Texas Health & Human Services Commission•Abilene, TX

7d•$8,593 - $9,440•Onsite

About The Position

The Registered Therapist V, Speech-Language Pathologist, provides highly advanced therapeutic rehabilitation services to people with speech and communication deficits, swallowing and dysphagia challenges, social and pragmatic delays, and cognitive difficulties at the Abilene State Supported Living Center. The role assesses, diagnoses, and analyzes speech, language, cognitive-communication, and swallowing abilities; develops and oversees habilitative and rehabilitative programs; and provides treatment and clinical services. The position works with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including individuals who may be medically fragile or have behavioral problems. The position collaborates with interdisciplinary teams and other departments to ensure comprehensive care and continuity of services. It develops and implements treatment plans and protocols, including communication supports and augmentative and alternative communication systems, swallowing strategies, and Physical Nutritional Management Programs. The role trains and supervises staff and students, monitors treatment and program effectiveness, contributes to quality assurance and improvement, and documents assessments and care in the electronic medical record. It works under minimal supervision with extensive latitude for initiative and independent judgment.

Requirements

Current licensure in Speech-Language Pathology.
Graduation from an accredited college or university program with major coursework in speech-language therapy or speech-language pathology.
Experience administering and interpreting diagnostic assessments related to individuals’ speech, language, and communication skills.
Knowledge of habilitation and rehabilitation therapy principles and techniques for people with neurological and psychological disorders.
Knowledge of head and neck structures and functions relevant to diagnosing and treating oropharyngeal dysphagia and communication disorders.
Knowledge of methods for facilitating, instructing, interacting with, engaging, and supervising people with communication, swallowing, social-pragmatic, and cognitive difficulties.
Knowledge of clinical therapeutic evaluation and treatment, including application to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, complex histories, and dual diagnoses.
Knowledge of infection prevention and control procedures.
Skills in assessment, diagnosis, and analysis of swallowing, speech, language, and cognitive-communication abilities; clinical evaluation and treatment; measurable goal development; assessment, treatment planning, and documentation; and use of therapy tools and equipment.
Skill using computer software and electronic medical record systems to document, track, and trend data and produce reports.
Ability to evaluate and prescribe modified food textures, liquid consistencies, adaptive eating equipment, and compensatory strategies for safe oral consumption, with reference to diagnostic imaging as appropriate.
Ability to communicate information about habilitation therapy, intellectual and developmental disabilities, anatomy, physiology, and treatment techniques to people with varying levels of experience.
Ability to prescribe, construct, and adapt augmentative and alternative communication systems and oversee their use by staff.
Ability to produce evaluation reports, therapy notes, efficacy monitoring, supervisory documentation, and daily progress notes.
Ability to follow instructions and make decisions based on current policies, ethical standards, and evidence-based practice.
Ability to collaborate on a team, take a leadership role as needed, assign and supervise work, and communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and applicable registry checks.
Must be willing to work weekends and holidays; flexibility in work hours, overtime, and extended hours may be required.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility.
Males aged 18–25 must be registered with the Selective Service.

Nice To Haves

Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP).
Experience assessing, diagnosing, and analyzing oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal swallowing function.
Experience evaluating and prescribing modified diet texture, liquid consistency, adaptive eating equipment, and compensatory strategies for safe oral consumption, with reference to diagnostic imaging as appropriate.
Experience working with people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Responsibilities

Assess, diagnose, and analyze speech, language, cognitive-communication, and swallowing abilities, using appropriate assessment methods and instrumentation.
Conduct or collaborate on diagnostic assessments for speech, language, communication, and dysphagia, including modified barium swallow studies in accordance with local protocols.
Develop, implement, and oversee therapeutic habilitative and rehabilitative programs, treatment plans, and protocols.
Plan and implement Physical Nutritional Management Programs, including diet texture and liquid consistency protocols, adaptive eating equipment, and strategies to reduce choking and aspiration risks.
Recommend and develop individualized communication supports, including augmentative and alternative communication systems, communication dictionaries, therapy services, and communication strategies.
Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, allied health professionals, administration, and caregivers to coordinate comprehensive care and continuity of services.
Train, instruct, and supervise staff and others in implementing individualized treatment recommendations, communication supports, feeding plans, medication administration techniques, and oral care instructions.
Provide caregiver training, mentoring, and counseling as needed; deliver new employee training and campus-wide in-services as assigned.
Monitor programs and treatment plans for compliance, efficacy, quality of care, and individual well-being; provide feedback and analyze progress and service data.
Update or develop programs and treatment protocols based on outcomes and monitoring.
Participate in interdisciplinary meetings, treatment planning, Individual Service Plan development, behavioral support planning, and other required clinical and facility meetings.
Maintain quality documentation in electronic medical records and other approved records, including assessment results, progress, changes in supports and services, monitoring, and care plans.
Coordinate, assign, train, and supervise staff such as SLP Assistants; conduct performance evaluations and provide clinical supervision to student interns or therapeutic staff assistants as assigned.
Oversee and coordinate speech therapy volunteer activities and internship programs.
Maintain professional competency and serve as the center’s subject matter expert on speech, language, and swallowing disorders.
Oversee quality assurance and quality enhancement activities, analyze service and device data, prepare trend reports, and initiate performance improvement activities.
Attend work regularly and may be required to work specified or rotating shifts, extended shifts, overtime, weekends, holidays, or on-call rotations.
Participate in agency disaster response, recovery, or Continuity of Operations activities as assigned, which may require alternate shifts or locations.
Perform other duties as assigned.