Speech & Lang Pathologist

To be part of our organization, every employee should understand and share in the YNHHS Vision, support our Mission, and live our Values. These values - integrity, patient-centered, respect, accountability, and compassion - must guide what we do, as individuals and professionals, every day.

Responsible for the evaluation and treatment of patients in a variety of inpatient and /or outpatient areas, as assigned. Collaborates with interdisciplinary treatment team members. Performs other clinical, teaching and administrative duties as required. Serves as positive ambassador for all Rehabilitation Services. Essential duties and responsibilities include the following.

EEO/AA/Disability/Veteran

• 1. Clinical 1.1 Able to interpret physician referrals to perform basic clinical evaluations. 1.2 Demonstrates technical skill and accuracy in performing evaluation, treatment planning and providing therapy, performed consistent with demonstrated knowledge of developmental stages and age-specific criteria. 1.3 Develops population specific treatment programs that reflect compliance with established clinical protocols where appropriate, monitors patient responses and terminates treatments when appropriate. 1.4 Sets functional, measurable and appropriate goals based upon evaluation findings, and which reflect patient/family involvement. 1.5 Provides comprehensive and appropriate patient and family education. 1.6 Constructive, collaborative participation in team conferences/rounds/clinics/discharge planning. 1.7 Initiates discharge planning and makes appropriate recommendations to community resources.
• 2. Comprehensive Patient Care 2.1 Utilizes assistant and support staff and volunteers appropriately and safely in the delivery of patient care. 2.2 Appropriately addresses patient care handoff to ensure continuity of care during scheduled time off. 2.3 Demonstrates ability to function as collaborative interdisciplinary team member, communicating findings and care plan consistently. Follows through with requests for change in treatment plan, re-evaluation of patient status, and completion of discharge reports and notes. 2.4 Serves as contact person for family, referral source, funding source and other outside agencies, as required. 2.5 Assures that discharge planning and arrangements for necessary follow up services are in place, per department standards and within established timeframes. 2.6 Initiates interdisciplinary referrals when appropriate, as determined by review of reports, feedback from other disciplines, and utilization review.
• 3. Clinical Supervision 3.1 Appropriately delegates responsibility to therapy assistants, clinical students and support staffs, and maintains an appropriate and compliant level of clinical supervision and documentation review/co-signature.
• 4. Documentation 4.1 Maintains concise and accurate patient care documentation and billing in accordance with system, hospital and department policy and regulatory requirements. 4.2 Re-evaluates and updates patient goals and plans as necessary, based on patient's response to treatment.
• 5. Education 5.1 Demonstrates participation in professional development and stays informed of current developments in the field by attending department in-services, and seeking opportunities to expand own knowledge of the profession and related fields. 5.2 Updates assessment and therapy procedures to integrate newly acquired information and learning. 5.3 Assists with orientation/onboarding, education and guidance of therapy staffs, support staffs, students, and volunteers as appropriate. 5.4 Meets required educational contact hours to maintain Connecticut state licensure, and consistently maintains documentation of all completed continuing education.
• 6. Administration 6.1 Uses equipment in a safe and effective manner. Reports malfunctioning or missing equipment to Supervisor and takes corrective action to remove equipment from use. 6.2 Maintains safe and orderly work environment. 6.3 Maintains a high standard of professional accountability with respect to safety, efficiency, effectiveness, ethics and legal issues, and promotes regulatory compliance in daily work and actions. 6.4 Demonstrates compliance with all hospital and department policies, procedures, standards and regulations. 6.5 Demonstrates consistency and timeliness with non-clinical tasks, and plans and organizes daily schedule for optimal time utilization. 6.6 Participates in department Quality Assurance activities. 6.7 Manages patient caseload that reflects productivity standard of department/unit. 6.8 Assumes other clinical responsibilities as assigned, and consistently seeks out other professional duties. 6.9 Provides weekend and holiday coverage as per schedule. 6.10 Participates consistently in team and departmental meetings. Reports pertinent information on timely basis. 6.11 Submits payroll information, reimbursement reports and day off requests according to system/department standards within established period.

EDUCATION

Graduate of accredited Speech Language Pathology program or equivalent and M.S. degree

EXPERIENCE

No experience required. One (1) to two (2) years' experience in an academic/large medical center based practice preferred. Experience working with children and/or adults depending on the assigned setting. Clinical experience with a variety of diagnoses to include post-surgical, developmental, neurological, genetic, oncologic, and traumatic.

LICENSURE

Must maintain a current unencumbered license or temporary permit to practice as a Speech Language Pathologist in CT. All newly hired employees must have current BLS certification or obtain within two months of hire. Membership in American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) required.

SPECIAL SKILLS

The individual should demonstrate age-specific knowledge in basic anatomy and physiology, psychology and Speech Language Pathology theory, evaluations, and treatment techniques to be applied to a diverse patient population. Observation skills, communication skills (both verbal and written), and an ability to work with patients, families and other providers in a synergistic manner are essential. The individual should also be willing and able to assume increased responsibilities as required. Experience with FEES, MBS and TEP preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMAND

May require exposure to blood and body fluids, hazardous materials and communicable diseases; long periods of standing and walking; lifting and positioning of patients. The worker must be able to stand, walk, talk, hear, lift, push, pull, reach, stoop, kneel, climb and perform repetitive motions, of the wrist, fingers or hands., The worker is subject to inside environmental/atmospheric conditions such as poor ventilation and is also subject to hazards, such as exposure to chemicals., The worker must be able to operate various exercise equipment, whirlpools, ultrasound and electrical stimulation equipment., The worker must be able to exert up to 100 lbs. of force occasionally, and /or up to 50 lbs. of force frequently and/or up to, 20 lbs. of force constantly to move objects or the human body. Functions with or without the assistance of reasonable accommodation as determined on a case by case basis. Incumbents as well as external and internal applicants who become disabled must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without the assistance of reasonable accommodation as determined on a case-by-case basis.

HOURS: Full time, M-F, wkd & holiday rotation may be required

Adult medically complex patient population, FEES/MBS trained, complex head & neck cancer rehabilitation, adult neurogenic speech-language & cognitive communication disorders in addition to dysphagia management. Clinical experience in TEP a plus. OR pediatric medically complex, speech-language, infant driven feeding/dysphagia management, MBS/FEES trained. Excellent interpersonal, clinical, and organizational skills. CT State SLP license & ASHA CCCs required.