SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST

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SEARHC is a non-profit health consortium which serves the health interests of the residents of Southeast Alaska. We see our employees as our strongest assets. It is our priority to further their development and our organization by aiding in their professional advancement.

Working at SEARHC is more than a job, it’s a fulfilling career. We offer generous benefits, including retirement, paid time off, paid parental leave, health, dental, and vision benefits, life insurance and long and short-term disability, and more.

This position is based in the Rehabilitation Services Department with a primary focus on providing general Speech - Language Pathology (SLP) evaluations and treatments which impact a patient’s functional abilities.  Performs in a professional manner, respects confidentiality, and demonstrates qualities endorsed by following the Seven Standards for Service Excellence outlined in the SEARHC Human Resources Manual.  Services are to be provided in compliance with hospital standards, Joint Commission Home Health regulations, Alaska state licensure requirements, regulatory and practice standards of SLP and the national professional guidelines established by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Speech - Language Pathologists are health care professionals responsible and accountable for patient assessment, evaluation, establishing a plan of care and therapeutic interventions for a wide range of ages with widely varying diagnosis and skills needs who present with a full spectrum of movement abilities, dysfunctions, and complexities.  The clinician needs to be able to inform clinical teams regarding decisions that involve SLP therapy while taking into consideration consultation provided by other care providers.  As patients are seen, recommendations may be made regarding their level of independence and rehabilitation needs which may impact services, care placement and further treatment.  The incumbent shall also demonstrate accountability for the contribution to program development, quality improvement, problem solving, and productivity enhancement in a flexible interdisciplinary fashion.  Documenting and processing interventions appropriately must be followed for continuity of care and reimbursement for services.     

This job can involve working in a small space, at a demanding pace, with a variety of people and sometimes difficult personalities and situations; good judgement, tact and personal skills are necessary for positive working relationships between patients and co-workers.  This job involves potential risks that the Therapist must work to avoid to the extent possible.  Exposure to infectious organisms is possible; use of precautions and appropriate protective equipment is necessary.  Latex may be present in the workplace.  The job may require repetitive or heavy lifting, up to 50 pounds, with physically demanding movements and positions; practice of good body mechanics and good judgement is necessary.  Services may be provided in a variety of settings including in-patient, out-patient, off-site locations, community events, home visits and remote locations.  There may be occasional travel to remote areas by boat or plane for multiple days, possibly in harsh weather.  This job is a covered position in accordance with the Indian Child Protection Act.

Salary: $36.46-$50.96 per hour/DOE

• The SLP provides services by physician referral in multiple settings, including inpatient, outpatient, Home Health, and Long-Term Care.  Provides assessment, performs evaluation, identifies therapy diagnosis, formulates therapy treatment plan with goals and implements treatment of Speech-Language Pathology services to patients.  Be responsible as the primary therapy provider to implement, supervise and modify a therapy plan of care based on assessment of patient response to optimize the outcome for each patient.  Review clinical records and case histories.   Attends care conferences, regular meetings/rounds and remains in contact with referring providers, nurses, and other rehabilitation professionals to review patient’s status and individual needs within the health care team concept.  Collaborates with other team members to assure appropriate medical equipment is arranged and care plan is established prior to discharge.  Documents patients’ encounter findings and treatments including diagnoses, treatment plan, recommendations, and prognoses in appropriate format according to hospital and/or Home Health policies.  Provide services in a timely manner after receipt of referral to both In-patient and out-patient settings as assigned.  Direct the work of support staff, students, or interns.
• Develop, implement, and conduct patient education and therapy programs based on patient and/or family needs. Provides patients and families home exercise programs to achieve the fullest rehabilitative potential. Advise patients and family members in methods that facilitate a capacity for self-care and independence, facilitating movement towards a healthcare partnership between providers, the patients, and their families. Home programs are clear and concise, and the provider ensures that these instructions are understood by asking for feedback and demonstration of programs by patient or caregivers.  Programs are taught demonstrating sensitivity to cross cultural issues.
• Community Service. Therapy services may be performed in SEARHC Community Health Services programs and the community at large including SEARHC Community clinics, Community Senior Centers, home assessments and other collaborative efforts. This may include participation with project or health promotion teams.  Video conferencing may be used for training, patient encounters, and administrative duties with off-site locations.  Home assessments for evaluation of patient’s living arrangements, use of Durable Medical Equipment and implementation of therapy plan in the home living environment.  Occasional multi-day travel to remote locations by boat or small plane which may be in in climate or harsh weather.
• Assist senior staff in administrative matters, clinic operations, and specialty/research areas as appropriate. Utilize the hospital computer system to obtain patient information, as well as keep abreast of hospital directives, and in general participate in the timely and efficient flow of information.  Provide summary of results, statistics, and metrics as required by management.  Assists acquisition and fit of durable medical equipment/devices based on needs of patient.  Maintain supply stocks and clinical area at acceptable levels.  Remain current in specific billing procedures/mechanisms (Medicare, Medicaid, and third-party payers) to aid in reimbursement of services and equipment, including plan of care concurrence with referring providers.  Maintain cleanliness of clinical space.
• Professional Collaboration/Education. Educates staff on SLP issues and educates patient/family with therapeutic exercises, activities, and equipment. Assist in committee and management duties within and representing the Rehabilitation Services Department as requested.   Provide therapy consultation, presentations, and in-service to medical staff, consultants, and other interdisciplinary health care personnel and patient populations regarding therapy services as assigned.  This may include participation in projects or health promotion teams.  To keep current with knowledge of therapy procedures/techniques and improve clinical service staff will participate as a learner or teacher in clinical education, in-service, etc.  Continuing educational funds will be allocated for the benefit of the department.  Adhere to the regulatory and practice standards of Speech-Language Pathology set by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.   Follow all SEARHC confidentiality and quality assurance standards. Demonstrate sensitivity to cross cultural issues.
• Perform other duties or activities as assigned.

Education, Certifications, and Licenses Required

• Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology from an accredited program.
• Incumbent must obtain or have CCC-SLP within the first year of employment and maintain certification throughout employment.
• Licensed by the State of Alaska in the field of Speech Language Pathology
• Certification of Clinical Competence in Speech Language Pathology by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association is required after the first year of employment.
• Basic Life Support certification or obtain within 3 months of hire.
• Current and valid Alaska Driver’s License.

Experience Required

• Acute care hospital experience of at least 3 years including subspecialty areas of dysphasia and neurology is preferred in settings where inpatient services are provided.
• Experience with modified barium swallow / video fluoroscopic swallowing studies and bedside “clinical” swallowing examinations is preferred in settings where this service is provided.
• Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) preferred.
• Pediatrics, Outpatient, and FEES experience preferred.

Knowledge of

• Physiology of speech production and swallowing including respiration, phonation, articulation resonance anatomic structures, neuroanatomy and neurophysiology supporting speech, language, hearing, swallowing, respiration, the vocal/aero digestive tract, and organic etiologies of disorders of communication. To administer a variety of standardized assessments, being able to select the most appropriate test for a specific client and implement treatments accordingly.
• Various techniques for providing sound assessments, evaluation & treatment planning, and treatments for patients presenting various diagnosis with functional deficits among the general population.
• Regulations and practice standards as they relate to SLP including billing mechanisms (Medicaid, Medicare, and third-party payers) that may be available for patient equipment and service.

Skills in

• SLP evaluation and treatment skills: skill in assessing, treating, and evaluating speech and language therapy patients while synthesizing knowledge of neurological diseases and formulating the results of evaluation into a treatment plan to assist physicians and other professional health staff in proper diagnosis and treatment including modified barium swallow exams in settings where this service is available.
• Expressing self clearly and effectively in written and spoken communication, such as in both daily documentation of written reports, client progress notes, narrative summaries, as well as in effectively training clinical and non-clinical staff; consulting with upper management, outside agencies, organizations, and subordinates; networking with other providers in the community; and proficient in public speaking.
• Utilizing information technology. Proficiency with computers including multiple software applications, interface with multiple programs and use of laptops, tablets, and imaging devices.

Ability to

• Must have the ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, teachers, community members and non- SLP service professional persons of any level of understanding. Including the ability to translate complex SLP service diagnoses, evaluations, and therapies into simple oral and written language that others can understand.
• Must have the physical ability to deliver treatment techniques and assist patient mobility while keeping patients self-safe. Allowing the therapist to work effectively with patients and their families for proven therapeutic progress.
• Must have the ability to exercise sound judgment in all aspects of employment such as patient care, workplace safety and employee relations.