Job Description

OF POSITION:

• The Speech Pathologist provides professional skills in the comprehensive evaluation of patients with speech and language swallowing and cognitive impairments and to facilitate habilitative and rehabilitative treatment services. Participates and is certified in scoring outcome measures as required by IRF regulation. Documents and communicates evaluation results, daily progress notes, weekly summaries and discharge notes in electronic medical record. Communicates both written and orally with patients, staff, families and physicians.

SUPERVISION: Reports directly to the Director of Physical Medicine

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Consistently provides appropriate patient assessment and documents functional needs and goals on IRF-PAI.
• Prescribes appropriate rehabilitation plan of care. Documents swallow precautions in dining room and medical record.
• Effectively performs patient and family education and training.
• Proficient in performing objective measurements of receptive and expressive language skills and swallowing efficiency.
• Exhibits clinical expertise and knowledge of speech and language treatment.
• Uses therapeutic process to effectively implement and evaluate the patient plan of care.
• Oversees the care of all assigned patients and all care givers rendering such care, including support staff, volunteers and students.
• Prepares reports and communicates patient progress to appropriate individuals in medical record.
• Documents weekly change in function on patient indicators for comprehension and expression.

The above statements are only meant to be a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those stated in this description.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE

• Successful completion of clinical training at a Master's level program in speech therapy.
• Graduate of a program satisfying the American Speech and Hearing Association's academic and practicum requirements for the certificate of Clinical Competence, must hold ASHA certification.
• Use of a variety of equipment such as: Audiometer, Therapeutic computer, Refrigerator, Books, Manuals, Telephone, MBS chair, MBS recording system, Feeding substances, Adaptive Feeding Equipment, FM Wireless Microphone and FM amplification Unit. Preferably certified Vital Stim for Facial Weakness and dysphagia.
• Current Louisiana State License of Speech Pathology; CPR certification; Must maintain required hours of in-service per year to meet requirements for CEU's as stipulated by the State Board that governs the profession of Speech Pathology.
• Ability to communicate well with patient, family, peers and medical personnel.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

• Work is medium, usually up to 25 pounds of lifting or carrying without help or over 25 pounds with help, usually in the form of assisting patients, especially pushing wheelchairs.
• Positions required include standing and walking on an occasional basis; sitting on a frequent basis; stair climbing, stooping and bending on an occasional basis; pushing/pulling on an occasional basis, including wheelchairs.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

“Experience Memorial” is more than a slogan, it’s the care we provide our patients and it’s the commitment to our community and our team members. As a nationally certified Great Place to Work, at Lake Charles Memorial Health System you will have the opportunity to be a part of an organizational culture that supports not only exceptional patient care but also the well-being and professional growth of our employees. Join us and be a part of a team where your contributions are valued, your growth is nurtured, and your success is celebrated.

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