Job Title: Speech language Pathologist Department: Therapy Services

Reports to: Director of Therapy Services

Status: Non-Exempt Position Supervised: None

Speech Language Pathologist Limited License

Job Summary:

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) will work to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders in children and adults.

• Consulting with patients to learn about their condition, symptoms, and goals.
• Helps patient develop or regain speech-language and swallowing function or train compensatory strategies to increase independence.
• Provide augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems for individuals with severe expressive and/or language comprehension disorders.

• Work with people who don't have speech, language, or swallowing disorders, but want to learn how to communicate more effectively (e.g., work on accent modification or other forms of).
• Use advanced testing as directed by a referring physician (Training may be required):
  • Modified Barium Swallow Study
  • Flexible endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing
  • Video Stroboscopy Speech evaluation

The SLP performs in a manner consistent with Oswego Health’s mission, policies and initiatives while maintaining patient confidentiality at all times.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Provide skilled treatment plans in accordance with physician orders in compliance of New York State laws.
• Coordinate treatment plans with a variety of care providers such as physicians, nurses, dietitians, family members, physical therapists, occupational therapist, or case management as needed.
• Provide appropriate information for insurance carrier credentialing and authorization to provide patient insurance coverage.
• Assures continuation of therapeutic plan following discharge by designing home programs; instructing patients, recommending and/or providing assistive equipment; recommending follow-up programs.
• Record treatment charges daily, accurately, and in a timely manner.
• As Assigned; help improve the clinical effectiveness of the Clinical Fellow /Limited License through meaningful mentoring and feedback and assists the Clinical Fellow in developing independent clinical skills as necessary to complete the experience requirement. Keep Certificate of Clinical Competence up to date.
• Complies with the New York State Office of Professions regulations, Joint Commission standards, and policy and procedures associated with Oswego Health and the Therapy Services Department.
• Clinical instruction of SLP students with clinical rotations and shadowing students as assigned.
• Must be able to recognize and respond appropriately to urgent/emergent situations per protocols.
• Maintain clean work area, exam rooms and supplies.
• Maintain professional appearance and personal conduct at all times.
• Protects patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols.
• Work within budgetary allowances
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with physicians, staff and management.
• Keep regular clinic hours as approved by the supervisor.
• Attend meetings as requested.
• Participate in community based health promotion and education as directed.
• Ability to multi-task efficiently and effectively.
• Must be able to act calmly and effectively in a busy or stressful situation.
• Assist in management of frequently used supplies.
• Ability to communicate effectively in the English language in person, by phone and in writing.

• Work with a team approach for efficient use of resources in delivery care and administrative duties.
• Frequent interaction with a diverse population including team members, providers, patients, insurance companies and other members of the public.

Functionality:

• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of CPT & ICD-10 coding procedures.
• Thorough knowledge of speech and swallowing pathology principles and practices.
• Working knowledge of computer programs.
• Responsible for the completion of all procedures scheduled during the shift without interference to the quality of work.
• Respond to changes in work schedule as necessary.
• Consistently completes work left from previous shifts; always reports any incomplete assignments.
• Demonstrate willingness and ability to assist others as requested; regularly assists in other areas of the department such as receptionist and clerical duties. Requests the assistance of other staff members as needed.

Documentation:

• Promptly and thoroughly maintain confidential clinical and administrative records. Accurately, clearly and concisely record all pertinent information on the patient’s medical record, according to policy and procedures.
• Ensure accurate, timely, defensible, and ethical billing, and keeping track of goals and progress.
• Documentation meets needs of third party payer sources.
• Uses computer programs, including order entry, per policy and procedure as assigned.
• Document any contraindication or barriers to treatment in the Speech therapy setting.

Safety:

• Competently perform patient handling techniques such as bed positioning, transfers, ambulation, stairs climbing with proper body mechanics.
• Competently arrange, attach, or adjust immobilization devices to prevent patient from moving or falling and to lessen discomfort.
• Strictly follow principles of asepsis and infection control guidelines when performing patient care.
• Administer treatment modalities per department policy and procedures.
• Communicate any unexpected treatment outcomes or significant changes in the patient’s medical status to referral sources or appropriate team personal.
• Promptly report malfunctioning equipment to supervisor.
• Demonstrates complete knowledge of safety policies and procedures
• Participate in hospital emergency and disaster drills; knows role in event of a fire while on duty.

Radiation Safety:

• Demonstrate an awareness of radiation safety procedures for self and others; wears protective lead apron, thyroid shield, and goggles along with Dosimeter badge.
• Minimizes radiation exposure to the patient and self in keeping with the “ALARA” principles of radiation dose

Required Skills/Abilities (Unit Specific):

• Accuracy – Ability to perform work accurately and thoroughly.
• Communication – Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Computer Skills – Proficient ability to use a computer and electronic medical record.
• Confidentiality – Maintain patient, team member and employer confidentiality. Comply with all HIPAA regulations.
• Customer Service Oriented – Friendly, cheerful and helpful to patients and others. Ability to meet patients and others needs while following office policies and procedures.
• Detail Oriented – Ability to pay attention to the minute details of a project or task.
• Flexibility – Ability to adapt easily to changing conditions and work responsibilities.
• Positivity – Display a positive attitude and is a positive agent for change.
• Teamwork – Work as part of a team and collaborate with co-workers.
• Working Under Pressure – Ability to complete assigned tasks under stressful situations.

Education and Experience:

• Graduate from an accredited Speech therapy program.
• Current New York State Speech Therapist license or permit working toward license.
• Speech pathology experience preferred.

Certification and Licensure:

• Maintain Licensure requirements such as continuing education and associated fees
• Certification/Licensure: CPR certification for Health Care Providers or achieve within 3 months of hire.

Working Conditions:

• Hearing: Adequate to perform job duties in person and over the telephone.
• Speaking: Must be able to communicate clearly to patients in person and over the telephone.
• Vision: Visual acuity adequate to perform job duties, including visual examination of patient and reading information from printed sources and computer screens.
• Requires frequent lifting and carrying items weighing up to 50 pound unassisted, including assisting patients when required. Using proper body mechanics and/or available equipment.
• Adequate physical ability including sufficient manual dexterity to perform the requisite health care service.
• Requires frequent bending, reaching, repetitive hand movements, standing, walking, squatting and sitting, with some heavy lifting, pushing and pulling exerted regularly throughout a regular work shift.
• Prolonged periods of sitting and working on a computer; subject to intermittent interruptions.
• Ability to perform prolonged or extensive standing, walking, and/or traversing.
• Possible exposure to bodily fluids, communicable diseases, toxic substances, and other conditions common to a medical environment.
• Exposure to radiation which is minimized by the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as protective lead aprons, gloves and other shielding devices and monitored by radiation badges
• Possible exposure to bodily fluids, infectious specimens, communicable diseases, toxic substances, ionizing radiation, medicinal preparations and other conditions common to a medical environment
• Frequent interaction with a diverse population including team members, providers, patients, insurance companies and other members of the public
• Serve patients of different ages, backgrounds, etc. When performing the essential functions of the role, the individual must identify the patient age group to be served and apply the appropriate care based on the patient’s age and background
• Actively participates in Quality Assurance, CQI, cross-training, in-service programs; attend all mandatory classes, meetings and committees as required; complete department-specific requirements/competencies; accept assignments to other units/shifts as hospital needs require.
• Comply with DOH requirements for annual health assessments and required immunizations.
• Attendance ensures that job requirements are met

Pay Range: $42.00/hour

Employee salary is based on commensurate experience and other qualifications.

About Oswego Health:
The mission of Oswego Health is to provide accessible, quality care and improve the health of residents throughout Oswego County. As a nonprofit healthcare system established in 1881, Oswego Health is proud to be Oswego County’s largest private employer. More than 1,300 employees spread throughout its 18 locations, work for the Oswego Health system, which includes the 132-bed community Oswego Hospital, a 32-bed psychiatric acute-care facility with multiple outpatient behavioral health service locations, The Manor at Seneca Hill, a 120-bed skilled nursing facility, and Springside at Seneca Hill, an independent retirement community. The health system also operates Oswego Health Home Care, the only hospital-based certified home healthcare agency in the County, as well as two outpatient centers, including the Fulton Medical Center, offering urgent care, lab, medical imaging, physical therapy, and occupational health services, and the Central Square Medical Center, offering urgent care, lab, medical imaging, and physical therapy services. In addition, the healthcare system includes Oswego Health Medical Practice, a multi-specialty medical group offering the community accessible, high-quality healthcare. 100+ physicians and advanced practice providers offer an extensive array of services across CNY, including primary care and specialty care in the areas of orthopedics, cardiology, ENT, gastroenterology, breast care, general surgery, urology, and bariatrics.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Oswego Health is committed to providing equal opportunity in all employment-related matters, without regard to race (including traits historically associated with race), creed, color, religion, sex/gender, national origin, age, marital or familial status, disability, pregnancy-related condition, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, citizenship status, ancestry, arrest/conviction record, military or veteran status, domestic violence victim status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, reproductive health decision making, relationship or association with a member of a protected category, or any other legally protected characteristic. Decisions affecting your position including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, training, tuition assistance, leaves of absence, disciplinary action, layoff/recall, and terminations will be made in accordance with this policy.