Job Summary:

Provides direct patient care to members having communication and swallowing disorders by evaluating, diagnosing, developing and implementing therapy / treatment programs.

• Upholds Kaiser Permanente's Policies and Procedures, Principles of Responsibilities, and applicable state, federal and local laws.
• Administers diagnostic tests and provides individualized treatment to adults and children for a variety of communication disorders, voice and swallowing impairment and neurological defects.
• Advises physicians of test results and subsequently recommends and implements appropriate treatments.
• Monitors status of results and collaborates with physicians when altering treatment program.
• Serves as a consultant on interdisciplinary teams.
• Serves as a clinical expert in specialized areas such as pediatric speech, traumatic brain injury, etc.
• Trains CFY candidates.
• Ensures compliance with TJC, federal, state, and local requirements.
• May participate in the development of department policies and procedures.
• Develops protocols and treatment programs within specialized areas.
• Develops and presents in service programs in area of specialty.
• Performs diagnostic clinical swallowing evaluations on a diversified patient population, including adults and children with a wide variety of neurologic and medical diagnosis and surgical histories.
• Interpret and report the results of evaluations/tests to referring physicians, therapists and other medical staff.
• Participates in the design and implementation of therapy programs addressing speech/language voice and swallowing problems for a diversified patient population.
• Documents patients progress; maintains accurate records.
• Adjusts program to improve effectiveness; meets client needs and determines further courses of treatment or intervention that may be necessary.
• Performs diagnostic voice evaluations on a diversified patient population.
• Interprets and reports results and provides recommendations regarding the need for further evaluation or services in the area of speech and pathology when appropriate.
• Administers and analyzes test results to determine patient's communicative abilities; examines patients medical history, neurological ad psychological test results in order to determine necessary therapy.
• Treats speech and language impairments such as functional articulatory disorders, stuttering, voice problems, delayed speech and organic disorder including cleft palate, cerebral palsy, aphasia and impaired hearing.
• Interprets findings and treatment to patients families, teachers or other concerned parties; provides guidance and counseling.
• Plans and conducts remedial programs designed to improve or restore communicative facility; administers treatment in individual or group sessions with patients; may refer patients to specialists in medicine, dentistry, psychology education or related areas.
• Writes report on diagnostic findings, therapy used and progress made.
• Provides in-service training in the basic elements of speech therapy to members of the health care staff and supervises the development and treatments of Speech Pathology Assistants.
• Keeps abreast of developments in the field of speech therapy by attending professional seminars and workshops.
• Establishes and maintains courteous cooperative relations with other departments and other personnel.
• Demonstrates professional competence in assessing patient's condition at the onset and through all phases of the speech pathology program.
• Demonstrates professional competence in the planning and implementation of treatment program/plan.
• Demonstrates professional competence and rehabilitative techniques particular to the speech pathology field.
• Demonstrates ability to communicate effectively. Performs other duties as assigned.