Speech Pathologist

Job Purpose:

Provides differential diagnostic and therapeutic services by assessing and treating inpatients  with central or peripheral disorders of speech, language, voice and/or swallowing in a geriatric setting.



Duties:

* Defines patient's degree and type of speech, language, voice and swallowing impairment by selecting and administering the most appropriate test instruments; interpreting diagnostic data; preparing written diagnostic reports.



* Facilitates patient care by consulting with referring physician or agency.



* Counsels patients and their families by informing them about available treatment options.



* Minimizes delays in diagnosis and/or therapeutic intervention by coordinating and prioritizing the patient caseload.



* Improves the function of patients with speech, language, voice and/or swallowing impairments by planning treatment; conducting remedial programs.



* Modifies therapy program by periodically re-evaluating therapy goals; determining progress.



* Minimizes communicative impairment by providing counseling to the parents of the preschool, pre-lingual child who is at risk for speech or language disorder on language stimulation and other home-based methods.



* Educates staff and patients by designing and delivering training and in-service programs for speech pathology interns and medical students; preparing and presenting lectures to physicians, nurses, educators, patient groups and others.



* Improves quality results by studying, evaluating, and re-designing processes; implementing changes.



* Maintains legal and accreditation compliance by developing policy positions concerning federal, state, and local regulations, and jacho standards; anticipating emerging issues.



* Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.



* Enhances speech pathology and hospital reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.



Skills/Qualifications:

Problem Solving, Physiological Knowledge, Medical Teamwork, Bedside Manner, Use of Medical Technologies, Verbal Communication, Listening, Creating a Safe, Effective Environment, Self-Development, People Skills, Professionalism