Speech Language Pathologist

Dignity Health Mercy San Juan Medical Center is a 370-bed not-for-profit Level 2 Trauma Center located in Carmichael California serving the areas of north Sacramento County and south Placer County for more than 50 years. It is one of the area’s largest and most comprehensive medical centers. Dedicated to the community’s well-being our staff and volunteers provide excellence in care for our patients each year. Mercy San Juan Medical Center has received recognition for being a Comprehensive Stroke Center and Center of Excellence for Bariatric Surgery along with Certificates of Excellence in Perinatal Care Hip- and Knee- Replacement.

The incumbent demonstrates competency in patient care for neonate pediatric adult and geriatric patients.

Job Specific Duties
1.1 Evaluations are completed according to department protocol. Completed within 48 hours once evaluation has been initiated.
1.2 Provides effective and adequate treatment. Implements effective and adequate treatment following department guidelines. Ongoing assessment of treatment effectiveness. Goals and treatment are modified as appropriate in relation to working toward goals. Selects appropriate treatment interventions. Utilizes specialized techniques. Patient safety is addressed with follow-up recommended. Recommends/obtains equipment as appropriate. Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the lifespan of the patient.
1.3 Patient/family education and training. Addresses patient/family education. Demonstrates a variety of teaching methods. Methods are appropriate to the level of understanding.
1.4 Complies with department policy regarding documentation. Completed in a timely manner according to department policy. Concise, legible, correct grammar using medical terminology and approved abbreviations. Reflects all interventions used in treatment, all ongoing assessment of treatment effectiveness, and changes in goals and treatment plan as appropriate. Addresses quality improvement indicators per policy. Reflects interdisciplinary teamwork and collaboration. Timecards, productivity logs, billing, and other logs for departmental functions are completed in a timely manner per department policy.
1.5 Communication & Collaboration with Team/MD: Appropriately communicates treatment plan and patient status with team and MD with no more than 1 complaint per year. Participates in team conferences. Addresses verification of payor guidelines/authorizations as needed, in a timely manner (i.e., prior to scheduling/treating patient or obtaining equipment. Attempts made to contact MD with patient concerns or changes in status in a timely manner. Solicits feedback from MD and coworkers to improve teamwork and collaboration (or uses unsolicited feedback) with no more than 1 valid complaint per year and no more than two complaints of the same nature per year.
1.6 Delegates to and Supervises Others: Delegates to and supervises support staff and students in achieving desired outcomes with no more than 1 complaint per year. Delegates appropriately to support staff within licensure and practice standards (i.e., does not over or under utilize support staff. Precepts internship student after meeting preceptor qualifications and if requested. Leads by example by providing necessary and appropriate treatment plan for support. Staff/student to perform treatment. Provides appropriate clinical supervision and feedback to support staff/students.
1.7 Time Management: Complies with department policy for productivity. Demonstrates appropriate time management needed to meet productivity standard, according to department policy. Initiates and completes projects within established time frame, in keeping with the productivity standard. Initiates adjustments in the schedules necessary to meet the department productivity standard
1.8 Performs other related duties as assigned or requested in a professional manner.

• Previous experience as a speech pathologist is preferred, current BLS certification is required and the incumbent is required to exhibit the following knowledge, skills, and abilities.
  
  • Current speech pathology techniques, standards, principles, and procedures. * Specialized assessment for the appraisal of neuropathologies as they relate to communication and swallowing function including aphasia, cognition, dysphagia, and dysarthria * Medical terminology * Proper body mechanics * Infection control procedures Ability to: * Assess patient condition based upon sound pathophysiological principles * Develop and implement appropriate patient treatment plan * Complete and maintain records of speech pathology observations, treatments, and actions * Plan and organize work effectively and efficiently * Develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with physicians, nursing and other hospital personnel * Maintain the confidentiality of medical information * Fully meet the obligations of the Mission and Philosophy of Catholic Healthcare West * Flexibility within a changing health care environment
    
• This position requires graduation from an accredited school of Speech Pathology and current California State licensure.
• This position requires a MA/MS degree.
• CCC required