Job Description

As a patient-focused organization, University of Utah Health exists to enhance the health and well-being of people through patient care, research and education. Success in this mission requires a culture of collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect. University of Utah Health seeks staff that are committed to the values of compassion, collaboration, innovation, responsibility, integrity, quality and trust that are integral to our mission. EO/AA

This position provides evaluation and therapeutic management for patients with speech, language, and/or cognitive disorders.

Corporate Overview: The University of Utah is a Level 1 Trauma Center and is nationally ranked and recognized for our academic research, quality standards and overall patient experience. Our five hospitals and eleven clinics provide excellence in our comprehensive services, medical advancement, and overall patient outcomes.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions

• Evaluates patients' abilities and limitations.
• Establishes treatment goals based on the evaluation and reason for the referral and team interaction.
• Administers therapy according to the established plan, utilizing appropriate procedures, equipment and techniques within the scope of practice of Speech Pathology.
• Educates the patient and caregiver about the goals of the program, methods of accomplishing goals, how to perform the home program, and injury prevention.
• Recommends adaptive equipment and completes the equipment justification forms.
• Re-evaluates patients, assesses their progress and makes recommendations regarding discharge.
• Consults and co-treats with therapists from other disciplines.
• Provides documentation of patient care according to established criteria.
• Participates in continuous quality improvement projects.
• Supervises the patient care activities of aides, assistants, attendants, and volunteers.
• Participates in in-services, medical conferences, staff meetings, continuing education courses, team meetings, and other related activities.
• Assists with departmental maintenance and supplies.
• Provides in-services for staff, other departments and the community.
• May administer dye to patients undergoing swallow studies.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Ability to provide evaluation and/or treatment for speech, language, and swallowing and/or cognitive disorders and develop and implement treatment plans.

• Ability to provide work direction to aides, volunteers and students; identify program needs; develop new areas of activity; and respond to emergency situations.

• Knowledge of the principles of life span growth and development.

• Ability to assess data regarding the patient's status and provide care as described in the department's policies and procedures manual.

• Demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills.

Qualifications

Licenses Required

• Current licensure to practice as a Speech Pathologist in the State of Utah.

• Current RQI Healthcare Provider eCredential through the University of Utah Health RQI system. The eCredential is to be obtained within 30 days of hire.

* Additional license requirements as determined by the hiring department.

Qualifications (Preferred)

This position is based in the new born intensive care unit.

Prior pediatric experience is required.

Preferred

• Experience in the following areas; dysphagia, stroke, head trauma, diffuse brain pathology, neurologic diseases and disorders, developmental language delay, dysfluency, voice pathology, motor speech disorders, cognitive disorders.
• This is not a CFY eligible position

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Employee must be able to meet the following requirements with or without an accommodation.

• This is a sedentary position in an office setting that may exert up to 10 pounds and may lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. This position involves sitting most of the time and is not exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

Physical Requirements

Carrying, Lifting, Listening, Manual Dexterity, Pulling and/or Pushing, Reaching, Sitting, Speaking, Standing, Stooping and Crouching, Walking