Speech Language Pathologist-Clinical Fellow Pediatric Feeding

Schedule: Monday-Friday between hours 7:30 a.m. -6:00 p.m. with rotating weekends & holidays 1 year fellowship opportunity Children's is currently searching for a Speech Language Pathologist-Clinical Fellowship in Pediatric Feeding. The Speech Language Pathologist Clinical Fellowship in Pediatric Feeding is a 12 month position in which the team member will: perform evaluations, establish appropriate goals, formulate treatment plans, provide treatment interventions, maintain comprehensive documentation, and assist with coordination of care within the scope of practice of speech language pathology with an emphasis on pediatric feeding and dysphagia for patients in the inpatient, outpatient, and ambulatory care clinic settings Throughout Clinical Fellowship Year, therapist will be mentored and become independent within the pediatric feeding and swallowing scope from birth-21 years in inpatient, outpatient, and ambulatory care clinic settings. In addition to providing care in all settings, the Clinical Fellow will be required to provide inpatient therapy coverage for 6 weekends and 1 holiday during the final 6 months of the fellowship. At Children’s, the region’s only full-service pediatric healthcare center, our people make us the very best for kids. Come cultivate your passion, purpose and professional development in an environment of excellence and inclusion, where team members are supported and deeply valued. Opportunities for career growth abound as we grow our services and spaces, including the cutting-edge Hubbard Center for Children. Join our highly engaged, caring team—and join us in providing brighter, healthier tomorrows for the children we serve. Children's is committed to diversity and inclusion. We are an equal opportunity employer including veterans and people with disabilities. A Brief Overview The Speech Language Pathologist Clinical Fellowship in Pediatric Feeding is a 12 month position in which the team member will: perform evaluations, establish appropriate goals, formulate treatment plans, provide treatment interventions, maintain comprehensive documentation, and assist with coordination of care within the scope of practice of speech language pathology with an emphasis on pediatric feeding and dysphagia for patients in the inpatient, outpatient, and ambulatory care clinic settings Throughout Clinical Fellowship Year, therapist will be mentored and become independent within the pediatric feeding and swallowing scope from birth-21 years in inpatient, outpatient, and ambulatory care clinic settings. In addition to providing care in all settings, the Clinical Fellow will be required to provide inpatient therapy coverage for 6 weekends and 1 holiday during the final 6 months of the fellowship. Essential Functions

• Conducts feeding &/or communication assessments/reassessments according to department policy and procedure that are appropriate to area of service delivery and indication for service.
  • Gathers and analyzes information obtained from diagnosis, indication, medical history and status, chronologic/cognitive/developmental age, parent/caregiver/physician concern, past response to care.
  • Analyzes information to plan for, select and provide a comprehensive, objective assessment of feeding & dysphagia skills &/or expressive/receptive communication skills that encompasses the components necessary for reporting diagnostic findings and developing clinical recommendations and plan of care related to the specific needs of the client.
  • Performs clinical feeding assessments according to department procedure.
• Performs Oral Pharyngeal Motility Studies (OPM’s) according to hospital procedure & interprets OPM’s accurately in coordination with the Radiologist to determine patient swallowing function/dysfunction.
  • Performs receptive &/or expressive communication assessments according to department policy. Utilizes information gathered through assessment/reassessment of feeding &/or communication skills to develop a plan of care to include frequency of intervention, types of intervention, goal setting. Collaborates with patient, caregiver, and other healthcare providers in setting realistic goals and in developing a plan of care that is patient/caregiver focused and outcomes oriented.
• Identifies appropriate and measurable long-term goals and short-term goals for communication and/or feeding skill development that are realistic to the current status and expected outcomes.
  • Continuously assesses, reassesses, and modifies goals and plan of care based upon patient status, patient response to care, caregiver feedback and patient needs.
  • Utilizes an Episodes of Care model from initial assessment through discharge. Provides high quality patient care that reflects appropriate clinical reasoning, evidence-based practice that optimizes patient’s potential for functional gains, improved quality of life, & increased care giver participation in feeding &/or communication.
  • Adequately prepares for sessions, beginning and ending on time.
  • Includes caregivers in therapy sessions and provides education, strategies, techniques that can be incorporated into daily routines.
  • Demonstrates good critical thinking skills and ability to adapt without difficulty.
• Proactively pursues opportunities to collaborate with other healthcare professionals; provides and accepts information from all members of the multidisciplinary team to facilitate goal accomplishment.
• Utilizes effective communication skills with client, caregiver, professionals, and other healthcare providers.
• Facilitates referrals to appropriate resources/agencies within the organization and community.
• Addresses patient attendance issues by educating on and enforcing the department policy and procedure. Completes comprehensive documentation appropriate to the setting in which the speech therapy intervention occurs and according to hospital and department policy and procedure.
• Documentation clearly and concisely records patient status, plan of care, intervention provided, response to care, progress towards goals, patient/caregiver education/home program and need for continued intervention in speech therapy.
• Ensures documentation is completed in a professional, timely manner and supports billed charges.
• Assists team in providing programs, systems, processes that support high quality care, current clinical practice, outcomes measures, and fiscally responsible practice.
• Actively participates in team meetings by identifying opportunities for improvement & growth, sharing insight into topics under discussion, openly listening to ideas of others.
• Actively contributes towards the completion of programs, projects, processes by volunteering to assist and completing assigned tasks/responsibilities within identified time. Assists team in providing programs, systems, processes that support high quality care, current clinical practice, outcomes measures, and fiscally responsible practice.
  • Actively participates in team meetings by identifying opportunities for improvement & growth, sharing insight into topics under discussion, openly listening to ideas of others.
  • Actively contributes towards the completion of programs, projects, processes by volunteering to assist and completing assigned tasks/responsibilities within identified time.
  • Supports decisions of team by incorporating latest programs, systems, processes into current practice
• Facilitates growth and skill development of self, team, and community. Throughout the clinical fellowship year, the following extra-curricular tasks will need to be completed and signed off on for successful completion of the program: observation and participation as appropriate in multidisciplinary clinics (Aerodigestive, Feeding and Growth), observation and treatment within Craniofacial team, shadow NICU therapist, surgical observation, Radiology observation, Dietician observation, observe other therapy disciplines, present at least 1 specific topic at a feeding team meeting, participate in 1 presentation to staff outside of rehab (nursing, dietician, physician, etc.).
  • Openly and willingly shares knowledge and expertise with other team members. Utilizes internal and external resources to enhance own knowledge and skills.
• Prepares for and actively participates in educational opportunities provided within the department including presentations, article reviews, in- services, discussions
• Regular attendance at work is an essential function of the job.
• Perform physical requirements as described in the Physical Requirements section

Education Qualifications

• Master's Degree from an accredited college or university in Communication Disorders/Speech Language Pathology Required

Experience Qualifications

• Completion of coursework in dysphagia Required and
• Completion of a student externship/practicum in an inpatient setting (adult or pediatric) Required and
• Completion of a student externship/practicum with dysphagia experience (adult or pediatric) Required and

Skills and Abilities

• Requires the ability to communicate effective, both verbally and in writing (High proficiency)
• Requires basic computer skills. (High proficiency)
• Requires the ability to organize responsibilities and manage time wisel (High proficiency)
• Excellent oral and written communication skills for effective communication of information and positive people skills (High proficiency)
• Ability to function within an interdisciplinary environment (High proficiency)
• Requires the ability to work effectively in a team setting. (High proficiency)

Licenses and Certifications

• BCLS - Basic Life Support through the American Heart Association Required and
• SP-L - Licensed Speech Pathologist current and valid Nebraska State License Required
• Certificate of Clinical Competency through ASHA will be required after 12 months of hire Required

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