Summary:

Under general direction provides advanced professional clinical speech language pathology services. Provides services in collaboration with physicians, patient and family, and all team members; and assists or compliments direct patient care.

Responsibilities:

Services are to be provided in compliance with hospital standards, Alaska state licensure requirements, regulatory and practice standards of speech and language pathology, and the national professional guidelines established by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Provides treatment and evaluation of speech and language therapy patients in an accurate and timely manner. Documents evaluation outcomes, findings and treatments including diagnoses, recommendations, treatment plan, and prognoses.

Provides services in a timely manner after receipt of referral/consult. Treatments will be provided following the evaluation as prescribed by the physician with goals specific to the patient, demonstrating sensitivity to cross cultural issues. Documents patient encounters in appropriate format according to hospital policies.

Attends care conferences, regular meetings and/or rounds with physicians, nurses and other rehabilitation professionals to review patient's status and individual needs. Provides consultation and in-services to other healthcare providers in the hospital and outlying clinics and hospitals serving our patient population, as requested.

Orders, provides and evaluates durable medical equipment/devices based on needs of patient.

Educates staff on speech and language pathology issues and educates patient/family with therapeutic exercises, activities and equipment.

Advises patients and family members in methods that facilitate a capacity for self-care and independence, facilitating movement towards a healthcare partnership between providers, the patients and their families. Provides patients and families in-home programs to achieve the fullest rehabilitative potential. Home programs are clear and concise and the provider ensures that these instructions are understood by asking for feedback and demonstration of programs by patient or caregivers.

Provides summary of results, statistics, and metrics as required by management.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Other information:

KNOWLEDGE and SKILLS
• Knowledge of physiology of speech production and swallowing including respiration, phonation, articulation resonance and the vocal/aero digestive tract.
• Knowledge of various billing mechanisms (Medicaid, Medicare and third party payers) that may be available for patient equipment and service needs to avoid undue cost to the hospital.
• Knowledge of anatomic structures, neuroanatomy and neurophysiology supporting speech, language, hearing, swallowing, and respiration.
• Knowledge of organic etiologies of disorders of communication.
• Knowledge of direct patient care for speech and language therapy patients.
• Knowledge of equipment and instruments used in daily activities.
• Knowledge of oral motor techniques with a strong emphasis on evaluation.
• Knowledge of regulations and practice standards as they relate to Speech Language Pathology.
• Knowledge in administering a variety of standardized assessments, being able to select the most appropriate test for a specific client.
• Knowledge to prioritize work in a busy inpatient and outpatient setting.
• Skill in working independently.
• Skill in maintaining good working relationships with community resources, referral sources and agencies.
• Skill in synthesizing knowledge of neurological diseases and formulating the results of evaluation into a treatment plan to assist physicians and other professional health staff in proper diagnosis and treatment.
• Skill in assessing, treating and evaluating speech and language therapy patients.
• Skill in using applicable equipment and instruments.
• Skill in assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects and demands.
• Skill in critical thinking in the performance of speech and language pathology.
• Skill in evaluating, treating disorders and the impact upon communication, health, vocation, socialization for the individual and family.

MINIMUM EDUCATION QUALIFICATION

A Master's degree in Speech Language Pathology from an accredited program.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATION

Non-supervisory - Two (2) years' experience providing therapy to the patient population served by this position. An equivalent combination of relevant education and/or training may be substituted for experience.

MINIMUM CERTIFICATION QUALIFICATION
• Licensed by the State of Alaska in the field of Speech Language Pathology OR possesses a current Speech Language Pathology License in another state and must obtain an Alaska Speech Language Pathology license within 6 months of hire.
• Certification of Clinical Competence in Speech Language Pathology by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
• Current Basic Life Support certification.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATION
• Acute care hospital experience of at least three years including subspecialty areas of dysphagia and neurology.
• Extensive experience with videofluoroscopic swallowing studies and bedside "clinical" swallowing examinations.
• Other specific specialty experience may be preferred by the department assigned.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

May be required to travel within Alaska to hold rural clinics.