Speech Language Pathologist

JOB TITLE:    Staff Speech Language Pathologist    

REPORTS TO:  Director of Clinic / Director of Speech Therapy

JOB  SUMMARY:  Provide diagnostic and therapeutic services, patient/family counseling, and appropriate referrals as necessary to all patients from 18 months through adulthood exhibiting a speech, language, hearing, cognitive, and / or swallowing impairment.

EDUCATION:  

• Masters or doctorate degree from an ASHA accredited SLP program or foreign equivalent
• Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from ASHA in Speech Language Pathology, or a Clinical Fellow working towards CCC. 
• Licensed as Speech-Language Therapist by the State of California Board, or temporary Required Professional Experience (RPE) license
• Evidence of ongoing clinical education 

PREFERRED  EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum one year experience treating pediatric and adult patients in an out-patient setting, with speech, language, cognitive and swallowing impairments, or 
• Clinical Fellow with state licensure with out-patient clinical experience and GPA of at least 3.5
• ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence, or in process of obtaining during approved fellowship
• CPR certification

QUALIFICATIONS - ABILITY  TO:

• Use sound judgment in applying academic knowledge and clinical experience in providing 

      patient care

Provide leadership and guidance to staff

• Interact and communicate with Director of assigned clinic and/or speech director for all speech therapy-related issues pertaining to functioning within that clinic or to consult regarding patient care
• Self-motivate.Understand finance, marketing, billing/collecting, and HR functions, with assistance from            Administrative Team
• Establish rapport with physicians, case managers, patients, families, professionals, coworkers and the public 
• Organize time (including submitting all paperwork in a timely manner), set priorities, demonstrate flexibility
• Uphold executive decisions
• Maintain and demonstrate an attitude of excellence and quality both in patient care and clinic responsibilities

• Provide initial and ongoing clinical assessments for children and adults diagnosed with a variety of speech and language disorders, cognitive disorders, swallowing disorders, auditory processing disorders, and hearing impairments (including patients being treated by supervised SLPAs)
• Provide therapeutic services for children and adults diagnosed with a variety of speech and language disorders, cognitive disorders, swallowing disorders, auditory processing disorders, and hearing impairments
• Provide early identification and early intervention services (18 months to 3 years of age) for communication disorders
• Provide appropriate referrals and recommendations including but not limited to swallow instrumentation (MBSS, FEES), occupational therapy, physical therapy, ENT for laryngeal evaluation, oral prosthetics, electrolarynx, AAC, neurology, gastroenterology, ABA therapy, early developmental services…
• Provide information to other professionals and agencies with patient, primary caregiver/parent permission to provide optimal treatment
• Communicate with patient primary care and/or referring physician
• Maintain all paperwork and record keeping on treatment, progress, and discharge and submit to assigned personnel in a timely manner in order to keep physicians and insurances informed of progress and to ensure continuity of care
• Develop and select and prescribe multimodal augmentative and alternative communication systems, including unaided devices, manual communication boards, picture schedules)
• Facilitate the process of obtaining funding for equipment and services related to difficulties with communication and swallowing
• Address behaviors (e.g. perseverative or disruptive actions) and environments (e.g. classroom seating, positioning for swallowing safely or attention, communication opportunities) that affect communication and swallowing
• Select, fit, and establish effective use of prosthetics/adaptive devices for communication and swallowing (e.g. tracheoesophageal prosthesis, speaking valves, electrolarynxes etc..)
• Participate actively in professional organizations to contribute to best practices in the profession
• Attend scheduled speech meetings and clinic meetings
• Participate in clinic trainings, i.e. HIPPA and OSHA trainings
• Maintain appropriate certification, licensure and continuing education
• Maintain CPR certification
• Supervise Speech Language Pathology Assistants, Aides, clinical fellows or interns as designated
• Conduct training and education related to speech language pathology to relevant staff
• Uphold ethical standards and policy and procedures as established by the California Board of Speech Language Pathology, ASHA and All Star Physical Therapy.

ACCOUNTABILITY:

The staff speech language pathologist is directly accountable to the clinical director of designated clinic and to speech director for clinical matters directly related to speech language pathology and patient care.

PHYSICAL  REQUIREMENTS:

The Staff SLP must be able to pull, push, lift, and stoop as the situation requires.  Visual acuity must be such that the staff SLP is able to perceive reactions to treatments, tests, and measurements.  SLP must be able to read instruments accurately. 

1. 80%     Sitting
2. 5%       Standing and walking
3. 10%     Bending/Reaching
4. 5%       Lifting (Capacity 50lbs max.)