Job Description

This role requires an experienced Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) to work within an Adult Outpatient Voice and Swallowing Center, with a focus on cognitive-communication evaluations and treatments. This position involves specialized, interdisciplinary care for adults with complex neurological, oncological, or functional disorders of cognition and communication. These roles focus on high-level diagnostics and therapeutic interventions to improve quality of life. This role also requires supervision of students.

Reporting to the Voice and Swallowing Center supervisor, the staff Speech-Language Pathologist conducts comprehensive assessments of inpatients and outpatients with disorders of swallowing, communication, voice, breathing, language, feeding and cognition. The Speech-Language Pathologist plans and implements individual/group speech-language pathology evaluations and treatments. The Speech-Language Pathologist collaborates with other disciplines to arrange for appropriate care and follow-up and facilitates a successful return to function in home, leisure, and work environments. The Speech-Language Pathologist will receive training according to departmental guidelines. All Speech staff are encouraged to participate in continuous education and engage in student supervision and education/instruction for others. Research is an important aspect of the role as allowed by departmental needs.

Position: Speech Language Pathologist

Department: Center for Voice - Swallowing

Schedule: Part Time, 20 Hours, Weekends, Holidays, and Weekdays

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

Clinical Capabilities:

• Conducts speech-language pathology evaluation procedures according to professional and departmental guidelines.
• Selects evaluation procedures that reflect understanding of the patient’s diagnosis, abilities, and limitations.
• Administers evaluation procedures according to the guidelines of speech-language pathology; adapts evaluation procedures as indicated to accommodate the specific needs of patients.
• Interprets evaluation results, develops an integrated diagnostic impression, and makes recommendations.
• Performs re-evaluations according to departmental policies, change in patient’s status or response to treatment.
• Educates patient and caregiver regarding evaluation findings and management of care recommendations.
• Establishes treatment/therapy goals and plans that reflect the needs of the patients while meeting departmental, institutional, and third party reimbursement requirements.
• Formulates treatment goals and plans that reflect the patient’s unique psychological and functional deficits.
• Establishes and modifies measurable and attainable short and long-term goals in collaboration with patient and/or caregiver.
• Communicates patient care and discharge needs to team members as needed. Arranges for appropriate follow-up.
• Establishes treatment priorities based on evaluation results and the specific needs of the patients.

Administrative & Operational Duties: Complies with departmental, institutional, and accrediting agency policies and standards.

Completes area specific documentation in an accurate thorough and timely manner according to department standards. Completes patient care charges accurately. Meets area specific productivity standards. Participates in the peer review process. Completes form thoroughly, gives meaningful and constructive feedback, and provides learning experience to peer. Completes mandatory requirements (ex: CPR, and license renewal) within the required time frame. Follows all isolation and infection guidelines and dons/doffs personal protective equipment appropriately. Manages own caseload and schedule. Ensures accurate and appropriate patient assignment.

Continuing Education & Development: Shows evidence of on-going professional growth and knowledge of regulations and standards.

Initiates independent learning opportunities, seeks out and integrates new information in daily practice. Communicates learning needs to supervisor. Stays current with advances in speech-language pathology treatments and techniques through attendance of professional meetings, continuing education, and reading of current literature. Shows knowledge of professional federal and state rules and regulations governing the practice of speech-language pathology.

Leadership & Influence: Participates in the development and evaluation of speech-language pathology programs.

Identifies assigned needs and communicates with others and supervisor. Contributes to the development and updating of unit files and other pertinent resource material. Participates in departmental projects and initiatives. Collects data required to complete research projects, clinical outcome studies, and departmental quality improvement projects in compliance with the Joint Commission standards. Contributes to the assessment, planning, and implementation of speech-language pathology programs in collaboration with supervisor and peers.

Professionalism & Values:

• Collaborates with colleagues and other professionals to provide high quality patient care.
• Serves as clinical resource for other health care professionals on assigned floors.
• Works as part of the SLP team, helping and supporting staff members as needed; listens to and seeks feedback from others; shares knowledge with others in positive manner; expresses opinions clearly.
• Accommodates to change by being adaptable and flexible and maintains professional demeanor during periods of stress.
• Attends and participates in all mandatory department meetings. Arrives prepared and on time.
• Accepts and completes additional assignments as requested by supervisor, including membership in department and hospital task forces and committees.
• Provides at least on evidence-based area in-service annually. Provides in-services to other hospital personnel as requested.
• Prepares for a verbal presentation using peer-reviewed journals and presents this information in a clear, organized, and concise manner.
• Participates responsibly in the supervisory process, follows through on suggestions and recommendations, and utilizes supervision time for own professional growth. Comes prepared to meetings.
• Develops and meets annual goals with a high quality of performance.

Conducts student performance evaluations, discusses evaluation with students, and submits the completed form to the student program coordinator in a timely fashion. Utilizes hospital's Values as the basis for decision-making and to facilitate the division's hospital mission. Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures

Teaching

May occasionally assist or precept students or observers with supervision

Provides basic in-services when requested.

Research, Quality Improvement, and Scholarship:

May attend or minimally support research or QI projects.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Work requires a Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from an accredited institution or equivalent combination of education and experience.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE (If none, please enter “N/A”):

Acute care experience is preferred. Experience with instrumental evaluations of swallowing (FEES, MBS) are highly preferred. The ideal candidate would possess up to four years of professional experience in Speech-Language Pathology. This position is part of the Speech Pathology career ladder and serves as the entry level; advancement to Senior Speech Pathologist is based on meeting the defined promotion criteria.

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED (If none, please enter “N/A”):

Work requires a current license required by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. ASHA membership.

Work requires a current CPR certification.

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS PREFERRED (If none, please enter “N/A”):

N/A

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES (KSAs) (If none, please enter “N/A”):

Work requires interpersonal skills necessary to effectively interact with patients, families and various members of the health care team.

Work requires analytical abilities sufficient to evaluate patients’ condition, capabilities and progress to develop appropriate treatment programs.

• Foundational knowledge of speech, language, swallowing, feeding, and communication disorders relevant to assigned population.

• Ability to administer standardized assessments and implement evidence-based treatment approaches.

• Effective oral and written communication skills with patients, families, and multidisciplinary teams.

• Cultural humility and ability to provide patient-centered care in a diverse safety-net hospital setting.

• Basic critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills; recognizes limits and seeks guidance when needed.

• Organizational skills to manage caseload, scheduling, and documentation efficiently.

• Commitment to professionalism, ethics, and lifelong learning consistent with ASHA standards and BMC values.

Compensation Range:

$46.13- $56.23

This range offers an estimate based on the minimum job qualifications. However, our approach to determining base pay is comprehensive, and a broad range of factors is considered when making an offer. This includes education, experience, and licensure/certifications directly related to position requirements. In addition, BMCHS offers generous total compensation that includes, but is not limited to, benefits (medical, dental, vision, pharmacy), contract increases, Flexible Spending Accounts, 403(b) savings matches, earned time cash out, paid time off, career advancement opportunities, and resources to support employee and family wellbeing.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans

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