Job Description

Kern Medical has been a community cornerstone since its founding in 1867. Today, we are an acute care teaching center with 222 beds, offering the only advanced trauma care between Fresno and Los Angeles. Kern Medical cares for 15,500 inpatients and 125,000 clinic patients a year.

• New Hire Bonus $6,000.00
• Extra-help employment has a limited term (up to 9 months).
• Health Benefits coverage may be offered.
• Shift Differentials vary per classification.

Position Speech Language Pathologist - Clinical Fellow - Full Time

The estimated pay for this position is $37.0928 to $49.8497 per hour. This reflects only a portion of the total compensation package for this position. Additional compensation may be available for this role through differentials, incentives, and bonuses.

The Speech Language Pathologist Clinical Fellow (SLP-CF or CF) is a mentored professional experience that begins after the completion of academic course work and clinical practicum. The goal of the Clinical Fellowship is to allow the CF to transition between being a student enrolled in a communication sciences and disorders (CSD) program and being an independent provider of speech-language pathology clinical services.

The purpose of the CF is to integrate and apply the knowledge from academic education and clinical training, evaluate strengths and identify limitations, develop and refine clinical skills consistent with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Scope of Practice in Speech-Language Pathology, and advance the CF from needing constant supervision to being an independent practitioner.

Under general direction, provide services including evaluation, diagnosis, goal setting, treatment planning, individual therapy, and family/patient education and training in order to enhance speech-language proficiency and communication effectiveness; perform related duties as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

This position will allow the incumbent, under the supervision of the Clinical Instructor, to obtain the experience and develop the responsibility to diagnosis speech/hearing disorders and provide therapy and education in treatment of the disorders. Those who complete the requirements of the CF with California licensure as an SLP may be promoted to the Speech Pathologist classification without further examination, subject to recommendation of the Therapy Department and the approval of Human Resources.

Practice Requirements:

As a Speech-Language Pathology Clinical Fellow, the following requirements must be met:

• A Kern Medical CCC-SLP will be designated as the Clinical Fellow’s Clinical Instructor. The CCC-SLP will provide mentorship, instruction, guidance and oversight during the Clinical Fellowship, ensuring all requirements are met.
• The CCC-SLP therapist shall co-sign all patient notes on the same day care is provided by the Clinical Fellow.

Clinical Fellow practice will follow the ASHA Clinical Fellowship Experience Guidelines:

• Eighty percent of the Clinical Fellow’s work week must be spent in direct clinical contact related to the management of disorders that fit within the ASHA Scope of Practice in Speech-Language Pathology, which include but are not limited to:
  • Screening, Response to Intervention, and/or observations of the client/patient
  • Assessment/diagnostic evaluations
  • Treatment
  • Writing of reports, notes; billing
  • Family/client consultation
  • Family/client counseling
  • Meetings, rounds, or other meetings related to the management of a client/patient’s diagnosis and treatment plan
• Twenty percent of the work week can be spent doing other activities such as attending in-services or providing trainings and presentations.

Essential Functions:

Under the Supervision of the Clinical Instructor, the incumbent is expected to:

• Perform assessment management of dysphagia including bedside swallowing evaluation, modified barium swallow study; assign appropriate diet levels to avoid aspiration.
• Conduct and document a thorough assessment of the patient to determine and diagnose communicative deficits and equipment needs.
• Develop and implement an individualized treatment program based on the initial evaluation and containing achievable functional goals.
• Instruct ancillary staff in appropriate procedures and provide supervision in accordance with applicable regulations.
• Chart processes in a clear and concise manner using prescribed format.
• Assess and revise treatment plans accordingly.
• Orient patients to program services and treatment procedures appropriate to their needs. Inform patients of any potential risk during procedure.
• Work with nursing staff, patient and families to maximize patient’s use of functional abilities.
• Instruct patients and family/other caregiver about therapeutic procedures to be continued by the patient at home following discharge.
• Assist in the referral process when a patient requires additional services following discharge. Maintain current knowledge of community resources.
• Attend and participate in rehabilitation team conferences regarding patient progress, problems or needs.
• Attend and participate in other department/facility meetings, as required.
• Access continuing education opportunities appropriate to discipline and responsibilities in order to maintain clinical currency.
• Participate in and/or provide in-service education sessions.
• Participate in the quality improvement process by responding appropriately to results of medical record audit, patient satisfaction surveys, safety activities and regulatory requirements.
• Promote the programs and services of the organization through formal and informal interactions with the community.
• Act in compliance with organization, regulatory and professional standards and guidelines.
• Adhere to facility policies and procedures and participate in facility quality improvement and safety programs.
• Perform other duties as assigned and required to provide quality care to patients.

Additional Duties:

• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Employment Standards:

• Graduation from an accredited communication sciences and disorders program with a Masters or Doctorate degree in SLP.
• Prior to the start of the Speech-Language Pathology Clinical Fellowship, the Clinical Fellow must have an active temporary license through the state of California under the Speech-Language Pathology required professional experience program. It is the responsibility of the Clinical Fellow to obtain this temporary license. It is understood that the application for this temporary license typically does not take place until after accepting a Clinical Fellow position and can take up to 4-12 weeks to process. The Clinical Fellowship will commence on the start date determined by human resources and the therapy services department.
• Must possess and maintain a current American Heart Association Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) card; Appointees not possessing the BLS card must successfully complete appropriate training and qualify for the BLS card within 30 days of employment
• Employees must maintain all health requirements designated by Kern Medical
• Other unit specific certification may be required.

Knowledge of:

• Current principles, methods, techniques, equipment and materials used in speech-language pathology;
• Possible reactions of and hazards to patients during treatment, and of precautionary and remedial measure;
• Anatomy and physiology related to treatment and physiological problems of persons with disabling conditions.

Ability to:

• Organize and implement speech therapy treatment programs;
• Conduct individual and group treatment programs;
• Interpret and adapt physician’s orders and/or written reports;
• Communicate effectively; work independently; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with patients, families, staff and others;
• Maintain excellent customer relations;
• Perform essential physical/mental requirements, with or without reasonable accommodation, including but not limited to: sitting for long periods, demonstrate good vision, color perception, hearing and articulation, and demonstrate good decision making and concentration skills.

Supplemental:

The Speech-Language Pathology Clinical Fellowship at Kern Medical is designed to meet all ASHA requirements in a 9-month period, however, if need arises during the Clinical Fellowship, the timeline can be adjusted to expand to a 12-month period.

Those who complete the requirements of the CF with California licensure as an SLP may be promoted to that classification without further examination, subject to recommendation of the Therapy Department and the approval of Human Resources.

Upon completion of the Clinical Fellowship, the Clinical Fellow will submit for review to ASHA. During this time of review, the Clinical Fellow can continue to work in this same capacity (as a Clinical Fellow). Upon approval of completion, Clinical Fellow can be promoted to CCC-SLP.

Dependent upon assignment, applicants may be required to pass an extensive background investigation, and be fingerprinted. Disqualification for felony, misdemeanor, and traffic offenses will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

All Kern Medical employees are designated “Disaster Service Workers” through state and local laws (CA Government Code Sec. 3100-3109 and Ordinance Code Title 2 - Administration, Ch. 2.66 Emergency Services.) As Disaster Service Workers, all county employees are expected to remain at work, or to report for work as soon as practicable following a significant emergency or disaster.

If position responsibilities require driving a personal vehicle, then possession of a current valid California Driver’s License and adherence to the Kern County Hospital Authority Vehicle Use and Driving Standard Policy (ENG-EC-119) is required.

If position responsibilities require driving a vehicle owned, leased or rented by Kern Medical, then possession of a current valid California Driver’s license, a signed authorization for Release of Drivers Record Information and adherence to the Kern County Hospital Authority Vehicle Use and Driving Standard Policy (ENG-EC-119) is required.