JOB SPECIFICS

Full-time with benefits; 72-80 hours per two week pay period; Monday through Friday day shift hours; 1 in every 4th weekend and holiday on call rotation required, on call from 8am until noon on Sat and Sun or holiday date for Acute Care patients' coverage; Primary weekday role will be for outpatients of all ages, pediatric patient population will make up a good portion of the patient demographics so candidate must be comfortable with this.

JOB SUMMARY

The purpose of the Speech Pathology Department is to provide comprehensive identification, consultation, habilitation and rehabilitation, referral and prevention services pertaining to communication, cognition, and swallowing disorders to patients of all ages (infants to geriatrics).

MAJOR JOB FUNCTION

The Speech Pathology Department provides inpatient and outpatient services to patients of all ages. A broad array of assessment and treatment services are offered including:

• Stroke-related communication deficits
• Delayed speech and language
• Articulation problems
• Stuttering
• Swallowing dysfunction of oral and pharyngeal stage
• Hearing loss / habilitation / rehabilitation
• Laryngectomy
• Voice disorders
• Communication problems associated with head injury, including cognitive retraining
• Communication problems associated with autism
• Dysarthria

Although we do collaborate with school personnel and various local school districts, our treatments and recommendations are based on a medical model of service provision. The Speech-Language Pathologist will report to the Rehab Services Director.

Hours of operation will vary depending on patient/caseload needs but will include coverage for outpatients Monday through Friday and for inpatients with on call/call back coverage for inpatients on all weekends and holidays as needed.

1. Provides direct patient care, evaluates functional needs and outcomes, and consults with other specialists as needed. Reassesses patient’s functional needs and adjusts care plan as indicated to ensure optimal patient outcome.
2. Performs instruction of patient, family, staff, student or intern with consideration to physical/developmental age, ability/readiness to learn, cultural/emotional religious/social barriers. Uses diagrams and/or handouts as necessary to facilitate the learning process.
3. Delivers age specific care to pediatric and geriatric clientele dependent on their growth, development and mental age/capacity. Responds appropriately to physically and mentally challenged clientele.
4. Communicates effectively with other professional and support staff in order to achieve positive patient outcomes.
5. Promotes and contributes to a positive, problem-solving environment.
6. Maintains established hospital and departmental policies and guidelines, objectives, quality improvement program, safety, environmental and infection control standards.
7. Documents evaluations, treatment goals and plans. Regularly updates documentation and maintains all required prescriptions and signatures.
8. Enhances professional growth and development of self and others through participation in educational programs, current literature, in-service meetings and workshops.
9. Provides direction and leadership to staff, students and new graduates.
10. Maintains a professional attitude and observes proper ethics.
11. Demonstrates proficiency in regards to the computer documentation of patient cares and any other related computerized patient information/documentation.
12. Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.

STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR

1. WORK ETHICS STANDARD: Affirm a commitment to making the Tomah Health work environment better through: patient advocacy, continuing education, and valuation of each individual person.
2. COMMUNICATION STANDARD: Affirm a commitment to use open and honest communication with all Tomah Health customers (in-house & community-wide) through: basic customer courtesy (phone, written, face to face) and active listening.
3. TEAMWORK STANDARD: Affirm a commitment to be a proud, dependable Tomah Health TEAM member through: basic customer courtesy, patient advocacy, flexibility, and valuation of each individual person.
4. QUALITY STANDARD: Affirm a commitment to provide respectful, compassionate, quality care with integrity to all Tomah Health customers (in-house & community-wide) through: job excellence, patient advocacy, and self-dignity.
5. PROFESSIONALISM STANDARD: Affirm a commitment to professional conduct towards all Tomah Health customers (in-house & community-wide) through: collaboration, teamwork, appearance, environment, and valuation of each individual person.
6. ATTITUDE STANDARD: Affirm a commitment to maintain a positive, professional perspective towards all Tomah Health customers (in-house & community-wide) through: honest feedback, confidentiality, basic customer courtesy, and valuation of each individual person.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology through an accredited program.
2. National and state certification required.
3. Current licensure to practice as a Speech Pathologist in the state of Wisconsin.
4. Previous experience in related area of practice preferred. Two years of experience as a speech therapist desirable.
5. Must hold (ASHA) American Speech-Language Hearing Associations Certificate of Clinical Competence or be in the process of completing the clinical fellowship year.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS

1. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
2. Excellent human relation skills as demonstrated by the ability to interface positively with all customers and employees.
3. Must acquire the knowledge and maintain established competency levels to perform essential speech pathology practice.
4. Must have proficient computer skills with the ability to operate within a Windows environment.
5. Must have the ability to work with frequent interruptions, under stress, with minimal supervision, and to exercise initiative and judgment in analyzing, organizing, planning, prioritizing, scheduling and coordinating work with others.
6. Needs to possess as high level of intelligence, integrity, sense of responsibility and ability to comprehend and analyze details.
7. Ability to demonstrate clinical competence and maintain current knowledge in caring for infant through geriatric patients.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

1. Good hearing is necessary to receive detailed information through oral communication.
2. Visual acuity is needed to assess facial and oral structures, to verify accuracy of written materials, and to administer various standardized tests.
3. The Speech-Language Pathologist is frequently required to stand, walk, and sit on the floor or at small child’s table and reach with hands and arms.
4. The Speech Pathologist may lift or move up to 25 pounds.