Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) – PRN

Vanderbilt University Medical Center•Nashville, TN

38d•Onsite

About The Position

Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) is seeking a per diem (PRN) Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) for their Acute Care department. This role involves evaluating and treating adult patients with a variety of speech, language, voice, cognitive, fluency, auditory, and swallowing disorders. The SLP will educate and counsel patients and families, provide independent therapeutic services, and potentially supervise graduate students. The position requires active participation in quality improvement activities and collaboration with the clinical practice team to achieve patient outcomes and system objectives. VUMC is a leading academic medical center dedicated to advancing health and wellness through patient care, education, and research, fostering an environment where employees can thrive and make a significant impact.

Requirements

Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from an accredited program
Completion of Clinical Fellowship (CF) – no CF candidates will be considered
Current Tennessee SLP license (active) – not just eligibility
ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) – required at time of application
Minimum 1 year of recent (within the last 2 years) full-time Acute Care hospital experience
Demonstrated competency in dysphagia evaluation and management in an acute care setting
Experience with instrumental and bedside swallow assessments in medically complex patients
Must be available for a consistent PRN commitment
Required: 3–5 days/week availability during initial 6–8-week orientation period
Ability to maintain ongoing PRN coverage needs after orientation
Relevant Work Experience
1 year experience level

Nice To Haves

Experience in a Level I Trauma Center or large tertiary care hospital
FEES competency (independent performance or strong clinical exposure required)
Advanced expertise in bedside swallow evaluations and clinical decision-making in high-acuity patients
Strong working knowledge of aspiration risk, modified diets, and evidence-based dysphagia protocols
Experience managing medically complex patients (e.g., ICU, step-down, multi-system diagnoses)
Direct experience with: Ventilator-dependent patients and/or tracheostomy care
Direct experience with: Neurologic populations (stroke, TBI, acute neuro)
Proficiency across speech, language, and cognitive-communication evaluation in acute settings
Efficient, compliant EMR documentation skills (Epic strongly preferred)

Responsibilities

Conduct comprehensive evaluations and provide evidence-based treatment for adults with swallowing disorders, speech and language disorders, cognitive-communication impairments, and voice disorders.
Deliver skilled speech therapy interventions in an acute care hospital setting.
Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, including physicians, nurses, dietitians, occupational therapists, and physical therapists.
Utilize advanced clinical tools, technology, and best practices to optimize patient outcomes.
Document patient evaluations, treatment plans, and progress in accordance with hospital and regulatory standards.
Analyzes comprehensive information from formal and informal assessment that is pertinent to the patient's care and management to determine a rehabilitation treatment diagnosis.
Collaborates with stakeholders in establishing the plan of care, coordinates and implements care delivery while anticipating patient care needs across the rehabilitation continuum.
Applies appropriate, evidence-based interventions to ensure effective outcomes and re-evaluates performance to assess patient's progress towards goals.
Employs strategies to promote successful return to home, community, and school/vocational environments.
Supervises graduate students by providing instruction, guidance/counsel and training to ensure provision of competent patient care and completion of appropriate documentation.
Demonstrates proficiency in documentation practices, meeting institutional standards for quality and timeliness.
Demonstrates proficiency in communicating functional impact of assessment findings, treatment interventions, treatment planning diagnosis, and disease process.
Demonstrates proficiency in the discharge planning process, informing patients, family and team members of patient's needs and making recommendations for continued services.
Demonstrates proficiency providing treatment consistent with physician prescription and established plan of care.
Identifies treatment objectives based upon assessment results and family input, writing functional objectives in measurable terms.
Applies evidence based clinical management practices.
Demonstrates proficiency in evaluating patients with speech-language, auditory, and/or swallowing/oral feeding deficits using appropriate testing methods and equipment.
Interprets the results of the assessment and their significance for the patient, family, referring physician and other members of the health care team.