Job Description

Examines, tests, diagnoses and administers remedial treatments for patients with speech and hearing disorders, and evaluates patients regarding the application of a wide variety of therapeutic techniques for rehabilitation of speech, language, hearing, and oral motor disorders. The Speech and Language Pathologist maintains active and support communication with the patient regarding progress, problems, home programs and other issues related to the therapeutic process.

1. Patient Care
   1. Develops individualized speech therapy programs based on thorough evaluation of patient's receptive and expressive language skills, speech fluency, vocal and oral motor competence, articulation, and auditory skills. Ensures that care plans have the patient's health, safety, and well-being in mind in an effort to facilitate rehabilitation of speech and language, hearing, and oral-motor disorders.
   2. Monitors patient progress during therapy, records relevant information regarding therapy, and maintains frequent communications with rehabilitation team members in order to ensure that treatment plans are effective and appropriate. Attends weekly team conferences in order to actively participate in discharge planning.
   3. Adapts conventional speech and language therapy techniques to meet the needs of patients unable to comprehend verbal commands or voluntarily carry out a regime of therapeutic exercises.
2. Regulatory/Quality
   1. Observes and adheres to all departmental and hospital policies and procedures, and follows all safety, quality assurance, and infection control standards.
   2. Observes and adheres to quality standards established by the department. Participates in continuous quality improvement programs in order to foster the provision of quality health care services by the department and hospital and ensures that all services are provided with compassion, understanding, and respect for others.
   3. Participates in educational programs, in-service meetings, and training sessions in an effort to share his/her own expertise with others and further the quality of education and personal growth provided to new personnel, volunteers, and interning students.
   4. Utilizes all equipment, supplies, facilities, and resources in a prudent and efficient manner in order to ensure efficient departmental operations and the provision of high quality health care services.
   5. Promotes the quality and efficiency of his/her own performance through participation in staff educational programs, approved continuing education courses, and specialized skill training programs.
3. Interdisciplinary Teamwork
   1. Communicates with patient and family members in a caring and compassionate manner on issues regarding patient progress and problems, available home programs, and the therapeutic process.
4. Other Duties As Assigned
   1. Performs other duties as assigned or requested.

Education - Master's Degree

Licensure - BLS Certification; State licensed Speech Pathologist or eligible for Clinical Fellowship year

Our Lady of the Lake is uniquely capable of caring for a full range of illness or injury, including those that are extremely complex, for both pediatric and adult patients. Our family of services includes:

• An 988-bed hospital and the area’s only Level II Trauma Center
• A freestanding Children's Hospital
• A 545-provider care network covering more than 40 specialties
• Two free-standing emergency rooms—Our Lady of the Lake Livingston and Our Lady of the Lake North
• A network of nearly 15 urgent care clinics
• Outpatient imaging and surgery centers
• Assumption Community Hospital
• Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
• Our Lady of the Lake Ascension, a 78-bed, community hospital providing emergency, inpatient, outpatient, and surgical services to Ascension Parish and surrounding areas

We serve 38,000 inpatients and 820,000 outpatients annually and are committed to building a healthy community through excellence in patient care and education. A part of FMOL Health, Our Lady of the Lake is consistently awarded for compassionate care, clinical expertise, leading edge technology and innovation.