Speech Language Pathologist

Description

Are you a compassionate and dedicated Speech-Language Pathologist looking to make a meaningful difference in a rural community? At the Klickitat Valley Health Wellness and Therapy Clinic, you’ll have the opportunity to provide high-quality care to patients of all ages, helping them overcome speech, language, cognitive-communication, and swallowing challenges. Working alongside an interdisciplinary team, you’ll play a vital role in developing and delivering personalized treatment plans that empower patients and improve their quality of life.

If you're passionate about patient-centered care and are ready to bring your expertise to a community that values your work, we’d love to hear from you!

GENERAL SUMMARY:

 The Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) is responsible for providing high-quality speech and language services to patients, including assessing and diagnosing speech, language, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders. The SLP works collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team to develop and implement individualized treatment plans to improve patient outcomes and provide a positive therapeutic experience.

Qualifications

Minimum Education, Training & Experience (includes licenses or certifications):

Safety Sensitive per WASB5123: NO

Education/Licensure:

• Must be a graduate of an accredited Speech-Language Pathology program (leading to a Master's or Doctorate degree in Speech-Language Pathology).
• Must be currently licensed as a Speech-Language Pathologist in the state of Washington.
• Professional membership with active participation in ASHA (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association) is preferred.
• Maintains AHA BLS certification.

Experience:

• One to three years or more clinical experience preferred, ideally in a healthcare setting.

Skills/Knowledge/Abilities:

• Possesses effective communication skills and ability to work with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and educational experiences.
• Possesses good time management and work ethics.
• Possesses the ability to make independent patient care judgments and is self-direction.
• Presents a professional appearance and promotes a positive work environment.
• Demonstrates computer literacy.
• Can meet the physical requirements as outlined in this job description.

GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Patient rights and organization ethics
  • Ensure patient dignity and respect patient values.
  • Operate within ethical standards. Participate in the treatment planning process, including discharge planning and regular evaluation and update of patient-centered treatment plans.

• Care of Patients

• Participate in the treatment planning process, including discharge planning and regular evaluation and update of patient-centered treatment plans.
• Develops and implements individualized treatment plans based on assessments.
• Plan and conduct scheduled SLP group sessions/ programs, and individual sessions as needed in accordance with the treatment plan and daily priorities of patients and the needs of the unit.
• Adapt group and individual activities and goals to meet the needs of the patients.
• Provide supervision of patients on therapeutic trips when assigned.
• Assist with orientation of patients and families to rehab facility and program.
• Meet the patient's goals and needs and provide quality care by assessing and interpreting evaluations and test results; and determining SLP treatment plans in consultation with physicians or by prescription.
• Promote maximum independence by selecting and constructing therapies according to an individual's capacity, intelligence level, and interest.
• Prepare patient for return to employment by consulting with employers; determining potential employee difficulties; retraining employees; and helping employers understand necessary physical and job result accommodations.
• Evaluate results of speech therapy by observing, noting, and evaluating patient's progress; recommending and implementing adjustments and modifications.
• Assure continuation of therapeutic plan following discharge by designing and instructing patients, families, and caregivers in home programs; recommending and/or providing assistive equipment; recommending outpatient or home health follow-up programs.
• Document patient care services by charting in patient and department records.
• Involves patients and families in the treatment process, providing education, resources, and home exercises as needed.
• Coordinates with physicians, other clinicians, and the interdisciplinary team to ensure comprehensive care for patients.
• Participates in interdisciplinary team meetings, contributing to patient care planning and discharge planning.

• Education
  • Participate in patient teaching by working directly with the patient/family and the interdisciplinary team to identify and meet education needs.
  • Provide ongoing education to patient and family as needed.
  • Use equipment properly and seek training as necessary. 
  • Develop and promote educational and public service information programs in cooperation with the hospital and in consideration of overall marketing strategy.
• Continuum of care
  • Provide resources and support for patients before, during, and after treatment of patient.
  • Participate in discharge/aftercare planning by working with the interdisciplinary team to identify and meet patient/family needs as documented in the patient care plan.
  • Participate in and/or facilitate community meetings, activity groups, and patient education groups.
  • Participate in preparing the patient/family for discharge by providing the necessary discharge teaching to the patient and family and documenting the same.
  • Report to the charge nurse or other appropriate staff all pertinent patient/unit observations/actions to ensure continuity of care.
  • Complete discharge planning by consulting with physicians, nurses, social workers, and other health care workers; contributing to patient care conferences.
  • Participate consistently in team meetings, reporting the results of assessments, interventions, and planning for the continued treatment and discharge of patients and families.
  • Participate in and conduct community and professional education programs as requested.
• Improving organizational performance
  • Communicate results and trends to supervisor.
  • Provide feedback to the supervisor on an ongoing basis regarding concerns, improvements, changes, etc.
  • Identify areas needing improvement and participate in facility Quality Improvement activities.  Actively participate in a comprehensive program evaluation system.
• Surveillance, prevention, and control of infection
  • Utilize universal precautions always to prevent and control infection.
  • Complete infection control competency for the department.
  • Recognize hazards of the job. Namely, exposure to communicable diseases.
• Management of the environment of care
  • Ensures a safe, clean environment for therapy activities and patient care.
  • Identifies and reports safety hazards to the appropriate staff or supervisor.
• Management of human resources
  • Complete all required competencies per program regulations.
  • Keep current on CEU requirements to maintain licensure status.
  • Participate in the orientation of new employees.
• Management of information
  • Ensure confidentiality of all information encountered.
  • Complete routine paperwork within the prescribed time frames and efficiently document on appropriate forms all required, pertinent, and meaningful observations and information.
• Community Engagement:

• Participate in community outreach programs, health fairs, and educational initiatives to promote occupational therapy services and wellness as assigned.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Salary : $45 - $64