Speech Language Pathologist

St. Luke’s Health-Memorial paves the way for quality innovative health care in East Texas and provides more than a quarter of a million patient services each year. With hospitals in Lufkin Livingston and San Augustine St. Luke’s Health-Memorial provides millions of dollars in charity care and community support each year.

Speech Language Pathologist provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services in Speech and Language Pathology. Screens, evaluates, and provides therapeutic intervention for individuals identified with disabilities that interfere with their ability to perform daily life activities; must possess professional judgment and clinical knowledge to develop individualized programs under the direction of the Market Director of Rehabilitation Services. Exercises independent judgment and decision making within the limitations and scope of practice. Displays professional, safe conduct in all interactions. Maintains positive working relationships with staff, other departments, physicians and peers. Displays conduct in support of St. Luke’s Health Memorial Mission & Vision. 

1. Performs comprehensive diagnostic evaluations to determine the status of the speech, language, cognitive and swallowing abilities of inpatients and outpatients, considering patient population, diagnosis and age-specific needs.
2. Develops and implements, with patient/family participation, individualized treatment plans, as indicated, considering diagnosis and age specific needs, with measurable goals, methods to achieve goals, frequency and duration.
3. Initiates and completes discharge planning in a timely manner to include patient/family education, home programs, and recommendations for equipment and continuation of care.
4. Documents services provided in a timely manner to include Initial Evaluations, Plans of Care, Daily Progress Notes, Weekly Progress Notes (if indicated), Discharge Summaries (if indicated) and other notations as appropriate.
5. Assists with coordination and supervision of student interns in compliance with ASHA, CHI St. Luke’s Health Memorial policies. 
6. Demonstrates competence to perform assigned patient care responsibilities in a manner that meets the physical, psychological, cultural, age-specific and developmental needs of the patients served by the department.
7. Demonstrates a high degree of proficiency in the use of a wide range of therapy tools, equipment, machines and instruments.
8. Participates in patient care conferences, family conferences, in-service programs, and departmental and interdepartmental meetings.
9. Demonstrates tact and professionalism in working and communicating with patients/families, physicians, other members of the rehabilitation team and other employees of the healthcare system.
10. Actively assists with clinical aspects of the department to include, but not limited to, orientation of new employees, scheduling of patients to assure quality patient coverage, and performance improvement activities.
11. Complies with and develops efficient and creative ways to maintain departmental productivity standards.
12. Maintains an awareness of other agencies within the community in order to make appropriate referrals, when indicated, to network and to increase knowledge of community resources.
13. Fosters and promotes positive and professional relationships with members of the medical staff, case managers, social workers and other referral sources.
14. As a member of the Rehabilitation Team, ensures that the patient/family is satisfied with the rehabilitation services provided and that any issue that arises is addressed and resolved promptly.
15. Plans and organizes work in a systematic manner to enhance patient care and departmental outcomes and achieve established productivity standards. 
16. Promotes and supports positive and professional customer service, while interacting with clients, guests and team members. 
17. Works collaboratively with all members of the interdisciplinary team, other departments and disciplines to assure patients and customer’s needs are met in a timely manner. 
18. Encourages the active participation of the patient and/or family in goal setting and patient/family training/education.
19. Provides positive and constructive feedback to enhance departmental operations. 
20. Completes all necessary documentation as outlined by departmental policy and documentation review. This includes, but is not limited to, patient care charting, charge entry, completing peer chart and peer reviews, and documenting on daily schedule.
21. Utilizes available information management systems to support departmental and organizational goals. This includes utilization of e-mail, information announcements, policies, annual mandatories, charge entry, and accessing patient care related information
22. Demonstrates tact and professionalism in working and communicating with patients/families, physicians, other members of the Rehabilitation Services Team, and other employees of the healthcare system.
23. As a member of the Rehabilitation Services Team, ensures that the patient/family is satisfied with the Rehabilitation Services provided any that any issue that arises is addressed and resolved promptly. 
24. Complies with and develops efficient and creative ways to maintain departmental productivity standards.
25. Adheres to St. Luke’s Health Memorial policies, including but not limited to “Values & Ethics at Work”, HIPPA, PHI, ePHI, Privacy Rule, and confidentiality. 
26. Maintains safe work habits; adheres to safety rules; immediately reports any unsafe condition; immediately reports any incident / injury.
27. Supports department-based goals and contributes to the success of the organization.  
28. Complies with hospital policies and procedures; attends required in – services, education and training.
29. Performs duties in accordance with that of hospital policies and procedures, and regulatory agency guidelines. 
30. Wears identification badge and clocks in appropriately.
31. Demonstrates a willingness to follow the chain of command, regularly channels suggestions, criticisms and complaints to the appropriate person.
32. Performs other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience Required:

• Master’s Degree - Speech & Language Pathology

Licensure / Certification Required:

• Licensed as a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) in the state of Texas issued through TDLR (Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation) – SLP(TDLR) 
• BLS certification (through an approved AHA program)

Preferred: 

• Certification of Clinical Competence (CCC) through ASHA (American Speech Language Hearing Association).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Must be able to effectively use computer and computer programs for documentation, departmental information and inter/intra departmental communication.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successful perform the essential functions of the job.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear.  This position is very active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling and stooping all day.  The employee must frequently lift or move items weight over 20 pounds.

Definitions:

Note Present: Activity is not required

Rarely: Up to 15% of the shift

Occasionally: From 16-45% of the shift 

Frequently: From 46-100% of the shift

Disclosure Statement:

The above statements reflect the general details considered necessary to describe the essential functions of the job as identified, and shall not be considered a detailed description of all work requirements that may be inherent in position.