Speech Therapist - FT - Ochsner Medical Center Baton Rouge – Acute Care

Ochsner Clinic Foundation•Baton Rouge, LA

About The Position

The Speech Therapist plans, organizes, and conducts speech therapy treatment programs in accordance with the state practice act. The role maintains patient care records, evaluates responses to treatment, recommends changes to treatment plans, and participates in in-service and continuing education programs. The therapist also contributes to departmental programs, clinical education, and program development or enhancement. The position provides age- and diagnosis-appropriate evaluations and treatments in an acute-care setting. It requires maintaining documentation to applicable standards and adapting communication and care to the needs and preferences of each patient. The therapist may educate and train others within the discipline and must remain current with applicable laws, accreditation standards, and regulatory requirements. This role involves direct patient care and routine exposure to blood, body fluids, tissue, communicable diseases, and potentially hazardous medications or waste. Physical demands are classified as very heavy work; mechanical lifting devices or team lifts should be used. The employee must be able to move throughout and between facilities.

Requirements

Master's degree.
Current Speech Pathologist license in the state of practice, or eligibility for licensure by examination or reciprocity from another state.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association.
Must obtain ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence within two years of hire.
Computer skills and dexterity for data entry and retrieval; proficiency with Windows-style applications, role-specific software, and keyboard use.
Effective verbal and written communication skills and ability to present information clearly and professionally.
Strong interpersonal skills, good judgment, and excellent decision-making skills when working with varied patients and diagnoses.
Ability to meet the physical demands of very heavy work, including exerting more than 100 pounds of force occasionally, more than 50 pounds frequently, and more than 20 pounds constantly to move objects.
Ability to stoop, bend, reach, squat, crawl, grasp, and use manual dexterity; ability to travel throughout and between facilities.

Nice To Haves

Experience with pediatric and adult populations.

Responsibilities

Perform age- and diagnosis-appropriate evaluations and treatments.
Maintain patient records according to documentation standards, policies, and procedures.
Evaluate patient responses to treatment and recommend changes to treatment plans.
Recommend alternative plans to accommodate department needs and remain flexible with schedule adjustments.
Meet productivity levels established by administration and complete professional development, required training, and credentialing.
Participate in in-service and continuing education programs, special departmental programs, and clinical education.
Assist with program development and enhancement.
Educate and train others within the discipline when required.
Adapt behavior and communication to the patient population, including respecting privacy, introducing oneself appropriately, explaining services or procedures, and requesting permission.
Remain knowledgeable about and comply with applicable laws, accreditation standards, and regulatory requirements.
Report known or suspected unethical or questionable conduct and patient, employee, privacy, or other compliance-related concerns.
Perform other related duties as required.