The incumbent in this position is responsible for providing direct patient care, evaluations, consultations and treatments in order to assist patients in reaching maximum language, communication, swallowing and cognitive performance in an acute care hospital setting. The Speech Language Pathologist may work in one or more hospital units. Skills in multidisciplinary team care conferences, discharge planning, evaluating and treating acutely ill patients, medically complex patients in acute care, participation interdepartmental education and departmental work teams, and oversight of Rehab techs and SLP students. Use of multiple aspects of EMR for documentation, billing and communication. Shift requirements may vary, working weekends and holidays.

Essential Job Functions

• Supports and models behaviors consistent with Billings Clinic’s mission, vision, values, code of business conduct and service expectations. Meets all mandatory organizational and department requirements. Maintains competency in all organizational, departmental and outside agency standards as it relates to

• Evaluates patients’ physical and functional status with regard to developmental and chronological age by administering and Interpreting tests. Develops individual treatment plan to include objective measures-, assessment-, short- and long-term goals, frequency and duration of therapy. Observes and interviews patients, reviews medical charts and consults with physicians or nursing personnel as appropriate. Maintains compliance within departmental QA.

• Demonstrates creativity, skill and efficiency in implementing treatment plans that include the use of recognized treatment techniques and modalities appropriate to the age and disability being treated and goals to be achieved for the acute care setting.

• Documents timely and regular initial evaluations, progress and discharge notes consistent with department policy, regulatory agency and reimbursement requirements.

• Completes daily patient charges.

• Demonstrates competency with all acute care medical equipment both rehabilitation and nursing.

• Maintains compliance within departmental QA

• Participates in discharge planning and/or care conferences with physicians, nursing and social services personnel to ensure patients have appropriate assistance and continuation of rehabilitation at home or in other care settings.

• Maintains compliance within departmental QA

• Identifies need and sets goals for own professional growth and development; meets all mandatory requirements. Participates and attends educational meetings with respect to continuing education, co-worker in-services, and Billings Clinic educational course offerings to enhance knowledge and further professional skills.

• Maintains competency in all organizational, departmental and outside agency environmental, employee or patient safety standards relevant to job performance.

• Students, job shadows, mentor new staff (Prorated based on FTE)

• Performs other duties as assigned or needed to meet the needs of the department/organization.

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

•Billings Clinic policy and procedures, both organizational and departmental

•Personal computers, hardware and software

•Microsoft Office Programs (i.e., Windows, Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.)

•Billings Clinic Code of Business Conduct

•Billings Clinic Corporate Compliance Program

•HIPAA and confidentiality requirements

•Patient’s rights

•Patient safety standards

•Customer service techniques and Personal Service Excellence (PSE) skills

•Regulatory requirements and standards (i.e., DNV, OSHA, etc.)

•Safety and infection control practices and procedures

•Speech therapy treatments

•Anatomy, physiology and developmental growth

•Third party and government payer reimbursement methodologies and practices in acute care setting

•Restraint reduction

•Professional communication (both verbal and written) and interviewing skills

•Demonstrating empathy and sensitivity necessary to elicit patient’s/resident’s cooperation and allay apprehensions

•Analytical and creative skills necessary in order to prepare treatment plans, coordinate and implement effective speech language therapies and to develop solutions to problems concerning patient’s mental or physical well being

•Documenting and billing in patient care records- Cerner

•Communication to providers and other allied health team members- Cerner.

•Use of electronic Tracking Shell for patient scheduling- Cerner

•Incorporate cultural diversity and age appropriate care into all aspects of communication and patient care; scope of services provided will encompass age groups ranging from infant through geriatric

•Establish and maintain collaborative relationships; working effectively with nursing, allied health and all other medical personnel and customers/guests

•Maintain flexibility to adapt to a variety of work load assignments

•Stand for periods of time

•Work independently

•Utilize time management concepts and maximize time effectively

•Concentrate and pay close attention to detail when planning and performing professional rehabilitation services, resolving patient care problems and dealing with patients, family and other guests, often during stressful situations

•Lift, push, pull and move in excess of 50 pounds unassisted

•Assesses patient’s progress frequently and revises treatment plan as necessary based on subjective and objective responses

•Errors in judgment can potentially result in serious physical harm to patients

•Frequent opportunity to make documentation and billing errors which may be detected by fellow workers, supervisors, clients, reimbursement agencies, which can cause delay, expense and re-work to correct.