Speech Pathologist
- Newport, RI
- Permanent
- Part-time
The Speech-Language Pathologist reports directly to the Clinical Manager and/ or Assistant Clinical Manager (ACM) of their respective department and may receive clinical guidance from senior staff and/or clinical specialists. The Speech-Language Pathologist provides clinical services including screening, assessment, diagnosis, intervention, management, counseling/education, documentation, and referral for inpatients and outpatients demonstrating speech, voice, feeding, swallowing, language, and/or cognitive impairments.Responsibilities:CommunicationDemonstrates the highest level of communication and professionalism with patients, caregivers, rehabilitation staff, providers, and other health care professionals, both within the academic medical center and in the community.
- Exhibits effective and professional verbal and non-verbal communication
- Communicates clearly, respectfully, and honestly with patients and/or caregivers, and colleagues
- Communicates proactively with other caregivers involved in patients’ care
- Adjusts communication and response to the level of understanding of the listener
- Evaluates speech, voice, language, feeding/swallowing, and/or cognitive impairments
- Establishes diagnosis, prognosis, and individualized plans of care
- Implements treatment intervention based on plan of care, considering precautions, indications, and contradictions
- Directs and coordinates patients’ rehabilitation plan of care
- Evaluates patients’ progress and revises goals and plan of care accordingly
- Educates and trains patients/caregivers
- Anticipates and communicates discharge/home needs and resources
- Completes documentation and charges timely and accurately, in compliance with department policy
- Completes clinical documentation reflecting eligibility/ medical necessity of services in compliance with professional and regulatory standards
- Consistently applies evidence-based practice to all aspects of clinical care
- Seeks additional guidance when necessary to assure safe and effective patient care
- Recommends and refers for additional diagnostic testing and/or services
- Develops, selects, and prescribes multimodal augmentative and alternative communication systems, including unaided strategies (e.g., manual signs/gestures) and aided strategies (e.g., speech-generating devices, manual communication boards, picture schedules).
- Selects, fits, and establishes effective use of appropriate prosthetic/adaptive devices for communication and swallowing (e.g. electrolarynges, speaking valves.).
- Uses instrumental technology to diagnose and treat disorders of communication and swallowing (e.g. Videofluoroscopy for speech and swallowing, Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing, Videostroboscopy, Videnonasophagyngoscopy, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, computer technology).
- Services patients and their families/caregivers with hearing loss (e.g., auditory training for patients with cochlear implants and hearing aids; speech and language intervention secondary to hearing loss).
- Provides assessment and intervention for patients diagnosed with auditory processing disorders.
- Screens patients for hearing loss or middle ear pathology using conventional pure-tone air conduction methods.
- Modifies and/or enhances communication performance (e.g., accent modification, care and improvement of the professional voice).
- Complies with hospital and departmental policies and guidelines
- Participates in strategic departmental quality improvement initiatives
- Provides education to other hospital departments/personnel, students, and outside agencies/schools.
- Demonstrates ability to flex schedule based on department, patient, and/or caregiver need
- Determines priorities according to departmental and patient care need
- Participates in community based professional events.
- Participates in ongoing educational activities.
- Supports and promotes departmental teamwork
- Completes mandatory departmental and hospital training on time