Speech Language Pathologist - Acute Adult

Department Overview

The purpose of this position is to function as a member of the Rehabilitation services patient care team by providing speech-language pathology services such as screening assessments, diagnostic evaluations and patient training related to communication, swallowing and/or cognition. Therapists evaluate each patient referred, establish treatment goals and objectives, develop and implement the treatment plan, and assist in the process of discharge planning and post-hospital placement. Therapists are expected to supervise therapy interns, assist with other educational research activities conducted by the department or the hospital and meet hospital standards regarding documentation and productivity. This position may include weekend shift rotation.

Function/Duties of Position

Evaluation and Caseload Management

• Prioritizes patients care needs given medical necessity, discharge plan, medical stability and appropriateness to participate in rehabilitation
• Evaluates patients to determine appropriateness of referral
• Identifies rehab potential, establishes treatment goals specific to the scope of acute care rehabilitation, including functional outcomes, quantitative measures and target dates
• Performs diagnostic tests and maintains clinical competence (e.g. MBS, FEES)
• Develops treatment plans to achieve identified goals
• Documents evaluations in patient’s medical record in compliance with DNV, OHSU, OAR’s and third-party payer criteria
• Enters accurate codes for services performed and bills time in patient care accurately
• Provides surveillance and/or consultation in a time-efficient manner for patients, specific to care area; requesting orders and/or providing guidance to the patient’s team regarding activity or prevention of complications (including but not limited to diet/feeding recommendations)

Provides skilled rehabilitation treatment

• Prioritizes care needs given medical necessity, discharge plan, medical stability and appropriateness to participate in rehabilitation
• Performs and documents skilled patient care activities, including direct treatment and caregiver/patient/family education
• Monitors and adjusts treatment plans specific to patient progress
• Communicates patient needs and promotes carryover of communication strategies, swallowing precautions, etc. with nursing and other caregivers
• Updates recommendations to team regarding continuing rehabilitation needs and plan as patient’s condition and situations warrant
• Directs, supports and providers supervision as required for aides and volunteers
• Develops and enhances patient care program and patient outcomes in specialty area
• Documents treatment and other patient contacts in patient’s medical record in compliance with DNV, OHSU, OAR’s and third-party payer criteria.

Care Coordination

• Collaborates with patient, family, and medical team in multidisciplinary patient rounds, ensuring a common level of understanding of the patient’s rehabilitation needs, and providing recommendations for rehab after discharge
• Requests patient/family conferences as appropriate, and participates in conferences representing department, heightens awareness of and advocates for rehab needs of patient
• Enhances patient safety both during and after hospitalization by assisting the team in problem-solving, including but not limited to dysphagia, communication and cognition impairments
• Provides feedback and educates physicians, fellows, residents, and other health care providers about rehabilitation (including but not limited to medical necessity for skilled rehabilitation services and appropriate referrals and expectations for rehab outcome and intensity at various levels of care)

Other Duties as Assigned

Required Qualifications

• A master’s degree in Speech/Language Pathology and possess a valid Oregon State license in Speech/Language Pathology; OR,
• specifically, when the position is a Clinical Fellowship Year position (CFY), meet the educational requirements, have an OR state conditional license, and be in the process of accumulating the supervised experience required for licensure (completion of Clinical Fellowship Year). 
•  An Oregon State License in Speech/Language Pathology must be obtained within one year of appointment or employment will be terminated.
• Positions within person patient care: BLS certificate within 30 days of hire or prior to independent practice, whichever comes first.
• ASHA CCC's (Certificate of Clinical Competence)

Job Related Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Competencies):

• Requires knowledge of acute complex medical conditions to appropriately evaluate, establish and implement a plan of care.
• Must have knowledge of inpatient medical environments and equipment such as ventilators.
• Must be experienced with video fluoroscopy
• Exhibit the ability to respond quickly and appropriately to medical situations that may arise 
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without accommodation

Preferred Qualifications

• Acute Care speech-language pathology practice

Additional Details

Inpatient hospital environment. Ability to lift 25 lbs, repeatedly carry equipment weighing more than 5 lbs and walk extensively on hard and soft surfaces. Frequent bending and reaching to navigate medical equipment or perform treatment is required.

Why apply to OHSU?