Job Summary:
Provides direct patient care to members having communication and swallowing disorders by evaluating, diagnosing, developing and implementing therapy/treatment programs.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Upholds Kaiser Permanentes Policies and Procedures, Principles of Responsibilities, and applicable state, federal and local laws.
- Administers diagnostic tests and provides individualized treatment to adults and children for a variety of communication disorders, voice and swallowing impairment and neurological defects.
- Advises physicians of test results and subsequently recommends and implements appropriate treatments.
- Monitors status of results and collaborates with physicians when altering treatment program.
- Serves as a consultant on interdisciplinary teams.
- Serves as a clinical expert in specialized areas such as pediatric speech, traumatic brain injury, etc.
- Trains CFY candidates.
- Ensures compliance with TJC, federal, state, and local requirements.
- May participate in the development of department policies and procedures.
- Develops protocols and treatment programs within specialized areas.
- Develops and presents in service programs in area of specialty.
- Performs diagnostic clinical swallowing evaluations on a diversified patient population, including adults and children with a wide variety of neurologic and medical diagnosis and surgical histories.
- Interpret and report the results of evaluations/tests to referring physicians, therapists and other medical staff.
- Participates in the design and implementation of therapy programs addressing speech/language voice and swallowing problems for a diversified patient population.
- Documents patients progress; maintains accurate records.
- Adjusts program to improve effectiveness.
- Meets client needs and determines further courses of treatment or intervention that may be necessary.
- Performs diagnostic voice evaluations on a diversified patient population.
- Interprets and reports results and provides recommendations regarding the need for further evaluation or services in the area of speech and pathology when appropriate.
- Administers and analyzes test results to determine patients communicative abilities; examines patients medical history, neurological ad psychological test results in order to determine necessary therapy.
- Treats speech and language impairments such as functional articulatory disorders, stuttering, voice problems, delayed speech and organic disorder including cleft palate, cerebral palsy, aphasia and impaired hearing.
- Interprets findings and treatment to patients families, teachers or other concerned parties; provides guidance and counseling.
- Plans and conducts remedial programs designed to improve or restore communicative facility.
- Administers treatment in individual or group sessions with patients; may refer patients to specialists in medicine, dentistry, psychology education or related areas.
- Writes report on diagnostic findings, therapy used and progress made.
- Provides in-service training in the basic elements of speech therapy to members of the health care staff and supervises the development and treatments of Speech Pathology Assistants.
- Keeps abreast of developments in the field of speech therapy by attending professional seminars and workshops.
- Establishes and maintains courteous cooperative relations with other departments and other personnel.
- Demonstrates professional competence in assessing patients condition at the onset and through all phases of the speech pathology program.
- Demonstrates professional competence in the planning and implementation of treatment program/plan.
- Demonstrates professional competence and rehabilitative techniques particular to the speech pathology field.
- Demonstrates ability to communicate effectively.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Basic Qualifications:
Experience
- One (1) year clinical experience in Speech Pathology.
Education
- Masters or Doctorate Degree in Speech Language Pathology from an accredited program.
License, Certification, Registration
- Basic Life Support required at hire from American Heart Association
Additional Requirements:
- Knowledge of federal, state and local regulatory requirements.
- Ability to demonstrate knowledge and to utilize theories, principles, practices, techniques and methods of Speech Therapy.
Preferred Qualifications:
- One (1) year clinical experience in dysphagia management.
Notes:
- Position is for OP/IP.
- Based on operational needs, location may shift to FON IP/OP.
- Additional locations depending on program expansion.