Speech Pathologist (SLP)- Inpatient

Advocate Health•Libertyville, IL

3d•$38 - $57

About The Position

The Speech Pathologist evaluates and treats patients with speech, language, voice, cognitive, and swallowing disorders in an inpatient acute-care rehabilitation setting. The role interprets physician referrals, develops and implements individualized plans of care, monitors patient outcomes, adjusts treatment as needed, and communicates patient status to physicians and other care-team members. The Speech Pathologist plans patient discharge and supports transitions of care through home programs, patient and family education, community referrals, and equipment orders when appropriate. The position includes clinical documentation, billing, scheduling, insurance authorization requirements, caseload management, and meeting department productivity standards. It also involves maintaining a safe and orderly treatment area, using available equipment and modalities appropriately, following safety and infection-control practices, and contributing to quality-improvement activities. The Speech Pathologist may supervise non-licensed personnel and supports clinical education by working with at least one student per year when students are available. This is a part-time position with no benefits eligibility listed. The teammate must be able to work at least one weekend day per month, preferably two, and one holiday per year. No prior work experience is required. The role requires a master’s degree in Speech Pathology or equivalent education requirements based on graduation date, a state Speech Language Pathologist license, and Basic Life Support certification within 90 days unless the department leader determines it is not required. The position has physical demands that include lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, transferring patients, and prolonged sitting, standing, and walking. Travel may be required.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Speech Pathology from an accredited school, or educational requirements commensurate with the date of graduation.
Speech Language Pathologist license issued by the state in which the teammate practices; teammates supporting multiple states must hold licensure in at least one of those states before hire.
Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers certification from the American Heart Association within 90 days, unless the department leader determines it is not required.
No prior work experience required.
Intermediate computer skills.
Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organization skills.
Excellent organization, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
Successfully complete competency assessments and requirements related to patient care and site standards.
Maintain annual educational requirements for hospital-based certifications, such as DNV or CARF, as applicable.
Demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide age-appropriate care and understand growth and development across the lifespan.
Be able to sit, stand, walk, lift, and squat throughout the workday.
Be able to lift up to 50 pounds from floor to waist, lift up to 10 pounds from waist to overhead, and lift and carry up to 40 pounds at waist height for 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.
Perform repetitive hand use, including simple grasping, pushing and pulling, and fine hand manipulation during massage and joint mobilization.
Have functional use of senses to allow effective communication.
Be able to wear protective clothing as needed due to exposure to electrical and chemical hazards and blood and body fluids.
Operate all equipment necessary to perform the job.
Be able to work at least one weekend day per month, preferably two, and one holiday per year.

Responsibilities

Interpret physician referrals and evaluate patients with speech, language, voice, cognitive, and swallowing disorders.
Establish written plans of care and provide individualized treatment using appropriate techniques and functional goals.
Monitor treatment outcomes, adjust care plans based on 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, care transitions, and equipment orders as appropriate.
Communicate and collaborate with stakeholders to support optimal patient care.
Complete required clinical documentation, including evaluations, progress notes, team conference reports, and discharge summaries, in accordance with department policies and accreditation standards.
Record patient care and progress; complete daily statistics, billing, and scheduling; and apply insurance authorization and visit requirements.
Maintain department productivity standards and follow billing and documentation policies, procedures, and timelines.
Clean treatment areas, put away equipment, and keep work areas neat and orderly.
Perform manual techniques, patient positioning, and patient transport while using proper techniques.
Use available modalities, exercise equipment, and devices according to department orientation and demonstrate knowledge of modality indications and contraindications.
Promote patient safety and follow safety and infection-control measures.
Participate in performance-improvement activities to address problems affecting patient outcomes and care quality.
Manage assigned caseload, communicate coverage needs to site leadership, 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 when requested and provide feedback on co-workers when requested.
Supervise non-licensed personnel when applicable, including delegating patients, providing treatment direction, and maintaining responsibility for patient plans of care and goals.
Support clinical education by monitoring and directing at least one student per year unless students are unavailable.

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.
Premium pay, such as shift and on-call pay, based on teammate circumstances.
Incentive pay for select positions.
Opportunity for annual performance-based increases.
Career-development programs.