Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) - Pediatric Acute Care
About The Position
Vanderbilt Health is hiring a Speech-Language Pathologist for Pediatric Rehabilitation Services at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tennessee. In this pediatric acute care role, the SLP evaluates and treats infants, children, and adolescents with feeding, swallowing, dysphagia, speech, language, and communication disorders, including medically complex patients. Care is provided across the NICU, PICU, inpatient units, and specialty services in collaboration with an interdisciplinary healthcare team. The SLP develops individualized, family-centered treatment plans, performs Videofluoroscopic Swallow Studies (VFSS), educates families and caregivers, documents care in the electronic medical record, and supports discharge planning and continuity of care. The role also includes supervising graduate students as assigned and contributing to quality improvement activities. The schedule is full-time, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with a weekend rotation of 3–4 half days per quarter.
Requirements
- Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology.
- ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP).
- Tennessee Speech-Language Pathology license or eligibility for licensure.
- At least one year of pediatric acute care hospital experience, excluding graduate school opportunities.
- Experience evaluating and treating pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders.
Nice To Haves
- NICU experience.
- PICU experience.
- Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study (VFSS) experience.
- Pediatric dysphagia management experience.
- Level I Trauma Center experience.
Responsibilities
- Evaluate and treat pediatric feeding, swallowing, dysphagia, speech, language, and communication disorders in an acute care setting.
- Provide care for medically complex infants, children, and adolescents, including patients with tracheostomies, neurological conditions, traumatic brain injuries, and developmental disabilities.
- Perform Videofluoroscopic Swallow Studies (VFSS) to inform safe feeding and swallowing recommendations.
- Develop individualized treatment plans focused on functional outcomes and family-centered care.
- Collaborate with physicians, nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, dietitians, respiratory therapists, and other healthcare professionals to establish and implement plans of care.
- Educate patients, families, and caregivers about assessment findings, feeding strategies, swallowing safety, communication development, treatment, and discharge recommendations.
- Document evaluations, treatment plans, and patient progress in the electronic medical record in accordance with institutional standards.
- Coordinate discharge planning and continuity of care, including recommendations for continued services, follow-up, and referrals.
- Analyze formal and informal assessment information to determine rehabilitation treatment diagnoses and patient care needs.
- Apply evidence-based interventions and reevaluate patient progress toward goals.
- Promote successful return to home, community, and school or vocational environments.
- Supervise, instruct, guide, counsel, and train graduate students as assigned.
- Participate in identifying and conducting quality improvement activities.
- Collaborate with the clinical practice team to achieve patient outcomes and system objectives.
Benefits
- The role may include health, disability, retirement, and wellness offerings.
- Continuing education, mentorship, and professional development opportunities.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
