Speech Language Pathologist - Per Diem

Hospital for Special Care•New Britain, CT

19h

About The Position

The Speech Language Pathologist is a member of an interdisciplinary team responsible for accurately diagnosing and managing cognitive, communication, and swallowing disorders. The role includes communicating relevant information and providing education to staff, patients, and families. The position is in Outpatient Services at Hospital for Special Care and is per diem, with zero scheduled weekly hours on the first shift. The Speech Language Pathologist evaluates patients, establishes measurable goals with patients and families, plans and delivers care, adjusts interventions as needed, and participates in discharge planning. The role also includes coordinating schedules and patient care with the interdisciplinary team, supervising delegated responsibilities, and documenting patient and professional interactions in a timely manner. The work is primarily indoors, with frequent interaction with others and occasional outdoor work. The role involves exposure to body fluids, contagious disease, and occasionally blood-borne pathogens and radiation; cigarette smoke exposure may occur in the Neurobehavioral Program. Physical demands include frequent walking, standing, and sitting; carrying and lifting materials and patients; pushing or pulling equipment or patients; and occasional climbing, squatting, kneeling, or crawling. The position requires manual dexterity, communication and sensory abilities, and the ability to tolerate extended periods of work and activity.

Requirements

Graduate of an ASHA-accredited master's program in speech-language pathology.
Connecticut license or requirements met to begin a Supervised Professional Experience in speech-language pathology.
Competency in the diagnosis and management of cognitive communication and swallowing disorders.
Valid driver's license for NBU only.
Ability to meet the physical, cognitive, communication, and documentation demands described for the role, including patient handling and interpreting patient responses.
Working knowledge of medical terminology and current Medicare documentation and billing requirements; outpatient therapists must also know relevant documentation and billing requirements for other payers.

Nice To Haves

ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence or eligibility in speech-language pathology.

Responsibilities

Evaluate patients with communication, cognitive, and swallowing impairments in accordance with state practice act and licensure requirements.
Recognize physiological, psychological, and age-related patient changes; consult with Health Care Team members; and establish measurable goals with patients and families based on care protocols and critical paths.
Plan, implement, deliver, and delegate patient care using appropriate interventions based on assessments, revising treatments when needed.
Instruct patients and families using verbal, written, and audiovisual materials.
Participate in discharge planning, including recommendations to community resources, to meet patient needs throughout the continuum of care.
Maintain knowledge of advances in care delivery through evidence-based review, peer reviews, case discussion, and continuing education.
Organize schedules and coordinate time management with support personnel to meet patient care needs, productivity requirements, service-area standards, and department goals.
Collaborate with team members for assistance and coverage as needed to meet patient outcomes and department goals and standards.
Supervise responsibilities delegated to supportive personnel.
Document evaluations, assessments, progress toward goals, equipment purchase orders, statistical reports, home programs, discharge summaries, and other patient and professional interactions in a timely manner to support continuity of care and meet department, regulatory, and insurance requirements.
Communicate relevant information to others and provide education to staff, patients, and families as necessary.