Facility: Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center

Job Summary:

The speech language pathologist evaluates patients and develops the speech/language plan of care in the areas of speech, language, voice, cognition and swallowing in collaboration with the physician. Services are provided across the full continuum and rendered in a cost conscious, quality focused and customer oriented manner. Compliance with all applicable regulatory standards is also required in this role.

Core Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

Treatment Planning and Provision of Care

• Implements the speech language therapy treatment plan
• Selects appropriate treatment activities to progress patient towards goals.
• Revises goals/plan of care with patient/family input
• Provides ongoing patient/family education and training
• Provides discharge instructions, follow-up and referral to community resources as appropriate
• Acts as a referral source for staff, families, physicians on services and equipment related to rehabilitation services.

Patient Assessment

• In collaboration with the physician, responsible for the establishment and ongoing evaluation of treatment programs, plan of care, goals and discharge plans for the patients as related to speech, language, cognition, voice and swallowing.
• Establishes a plan of care in conjunction with the patient and/or family members.
• Establishes realistic discharge plan incorporating patient and/or family member goals.

Documentation

• Documents the evaluation and plan of care according to departmental guidelines
• Documents each treatment session according to departmental protocols
• Completes and submits family education, discharge and other required documentation within facility and program guidelines

General requirements

• Adheres to ethical business practices by striving to perform in a manner that conforms to the highest standards of ethical behavior, integrity and honesty.
• Embraces diversity and demonstrates the ability to work together.
• Maintains confidentiality of all patient information.
• Maintains attendance/punctuality in accordance with system policy and procedure.
• Adheres to departmental dress code policy, including wearing and displaying ID badge appropriately.
• Communicates information effectively both verbally and in writing with all team members. Attends and participates in staff meetings, required inservices, process improvement activities, and other meetings as requested.
• Organizes workload to complete responsibilities in an appropriate and timely manner.
• Utilizes materials and equipment in a safe and cost-effective manner.
• Observes infection prevention precautions

Customer Service

• Strives to help lead the industry through vision, technology, innovation and customer service. Strives to make a difference in the lives of our employees and patients.
• Consistently applies AIDET principles in all interactions with patients.
• Encourages a positive environment and experience for co-workers and patients. Treats patients and fellow team members with respect. Fosters teamwork with trust, support and collaboration.
• Demonstrates knowledge of service recovery principles and implements appropriately

Professional Development

• Participates in professional development and mandatory education activities.
• Completes core and annual competencies according to established departmental timelines.
• Completes all educational requirements required by discipline to maintain licensure.
• Participates in orientation and training of new employees.
• Completes all mandatory hospital and/or system mandatory requirements

Performs other duties as assigned

Complies with all WellStar Health System policies, standards of work, and code of conduct.

Required Minimum Education:

Graduate from an accredited speech-language pathology program.
in Speech-Language Pathology or other related degree.

Required Minimum License(s) and Certification(s):
All certifications are required upon hire unless otherwise stated.

• Speech Language Pathologist
• Basic Life Support or BLS - Instructor

Required Minimum Skills:
Effective communication skills,
customer service focused,
team oriented, and
basic computer skills.