The speech and language pathologist implements patient care services for patients with speech, language, fluency, voice, swallowing, and cognitive disorders. The speech and language pathologist accurately assesses patients’ needs; identifies and initiates appropriate speech and language therapy interventions; provides patient and family teaching; and works cooperatively with other patient team personnel to maintain standards of professional speech and language therapy practice.
Responsibilities:
• Performs patient assessment and treatment related to speech deficits and disorders through the process of obtaining history, performing relevant systems review, and selecting and administering specific tests and measures to obtain data. Collaborates with the patient and/or caregivers to establish goals geared toward the experiences, values, priorities, and desired outcomes.
• Establishes an individualized plan of care and selects therapeutic interventions that address the specific impairments identified in the evaluation and in accordance with physician orders.
• Conducts ongoing reassessment of the patient and their response to treatment.
• Initiates and manages the discharge plan beginning at the first visit and continuing throughout treatment.
• Supervises and delegates to ancillary staff and students consistent with state laws and department policy.
• Completes legible, accurate, and clear documentation within the established timeframe identified in the department policy and procedure and in accordance with accreditation requirements and insurance regulations.
• Communicates with the patient, family, caregivers, significant others, and members of the health care team to promote maximum benefit of care utilizing AIDET.
• Assesses educational needs of the patient, family, caregiver, or significant other and provides education to meet those needs.
• Participates in professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, including in-service meetings, workshops, and by reading current literature concerning scope of practice.
• Actively participates in quality improvement activities.
• Provides an environment conducive to safety for patients, visitors, and staff. Complies with appropriate and approved safety standards.
• Functions within scope of practice as defined by the state’s practice act.
• Performs other related duties as required and directed.
