Speech-Language Pathologist I/II – Adv. Speech-Language Pathologist I/II (DH6004) - Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation

Navajo Preference Employment Act :In accordance with Navajo Nation and federal law, TCRHCC has implemented an Affirmative Action Plan pursuant to the Navajo Preference in Employment Act.  Pursuant to this Plan and corresponding TCRHCC Policy, applicants who meet the necessary qualifications for this position and (1) are enrolled members of the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, or San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe will be given preference in hiring and employment for this position, (2) are legally married to enrolled members of the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, or San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe and meet residency requirements will be given secondary preference, and (3) are enrolled members of other federally-recognized American Indian Tribes will be given tertiary preference.Overview:

POSITION SUMMARY

The Speech-Language Pathologist I/II / Advanced Speech-Language Pathologist I/II position serves to provide quality speech and/or language therapy services to a predominantly Native American population for the rehabilitation of patients with various developmental, cognitive and/or mental, emotional, and physical disabilities by planning and administering medically based speech therapy (regular work week, weekend services not available at this time) for inpatient and outpatient. Responsible for assessing and interpreting evaluations and test results for patients ranging in age from birth through geriatric and documentation in electronic health record; determining speech therapy treatment plans by physician referral or in consultation with physicians and setting realistic treatment goals depending on the patient’s physical, mental abilities, needs, and evaluation findings and/or diagnosis; recommending and implementing adjustments and modification to therapy plan based on patient’s progress; document results of patient’s assessment, treatment, follow-up, and termination of services in patient records; select and construct therapies according to the patient’s goals and needs; instructs patient, family, and staff in appropriate speech-language procedures/therapies or home program to allow carry over of therapeutic remediation and goals in daily activities; provision of specialty services include but not limited to swallowing evaluation, Videofluoroscopy (VFSS) or Modified Barium Swallowing (MBS), Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES); cognitive treatment, voice treatment, pediatric speech/language therapy treatment, pediatric feeding evaluation; provision of specialty clinics including but not limited to Geriatric clinic, Assistive Technology/adaptive equipment evaluation/treatment; assist direction and development of the speech therapy service to include continued quality improvement, risk management and safety; complies with federal, and state speech therapy certification requirements and follow TCHRCC policy and procedures; complies with the American Speech-Language Hearing Association and Scope of Practice as set forth by the American Speech-Language Association; provide training and in-services for student and staff education; consult with Physical Rehabilitation team, and other health care workers (e.g., physicians, nurses, social workers, etc.); and other duties as assigned.  Responsibilities also include maintaining TCRHCC Medical Staff Credentialing Core Privileges.

Qualifications:

NECESSARY QUALIFICATIONS

Education (Speech-Language Pathologist I/II & Advanced Speech-Language Pathologist I/II):

• Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from a school accredited by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA). Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY) graduate may be considered.
• If incumbent does not have certification of clinical competence and is eligible for Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY) upon hire, the incumbent must complete post-graduate Clinical Fellowship Year for certificate process and obtain certification of clinical competence within 18 months of hire.

      Licensure (Speech-Language Pathologist I/II & Advanced Speech-Language Pathologist I/II):

• Must have and maintain certification of clinical competence in Speech-Language Pathology from ASHA or eligibility for Clinical Fellowship Year.
• Applicant must possess a valid, current, full and unrestricted Speech-Language Pathology license from Arizona Department of Health or in any state within the United States, District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or must obtain Temporary Speech-Language Pathology licensure from Arizona Department of Health.

Certification:

Must have and maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification by the American Heart Association during employment at TCRHCC

Credentialing:

Applicant must meet requirements to be credentialed to serve on the Medical Staff.  All related information required for credentialing must be provided.

Experience:

Speech-Language Pathologist I

• Less than 2 years of experience as a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist

Speech-Language Pathologist II

• A minimum of two (2) years of healthcare experience as a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist

Advanced Speech-Language Pathologist I

• A minimum of four (4) years of healthcare experience as a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist

Advanced Speech-Language Pathologist II

• A minimum of six (6) years of healthcare experience as a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist
• Specialty Board Certification in addition to licensed Speech-Language Pathologist

If the applicant is hired as a Speech-Language Pathologist I, he/she will have the opportunity to advance to Speech-Language Pathologist II and then to Advanced Speech-Language Pathologist I/II.  Eligibility for Advanced Speech-Language Pathologist I/II is determined by completion of required credentialing, licensing, and experience qualifications.  Experience and criteria will be evaluated by the Director of Physical Rehabilitation Services to determine and approve which tier the applicant will be placed.

 

Other Skills and Abilities:

A record of satisfactory performance in all prior and current employment as evidenced by positive employment references from previous and current employers.  All employment references must address and indicate success in each one of the following areas:

• Develop and maintain constructive, cooperative, positive working relationships with others. Maintains positive professional attitude.
• Demonstrates strong interpersonal communication skills – written and verbal.
• Ability to communicate positively, effectively, and professionally with others – written, verbal, computer/email.
• Demonstrates a strong work ethic.
• Possession of high ethical standards and no history of complaints.
• Reliable and dependable; reports to work as scheduled without excessive absences or tardiness. Record of reliable attendance.
• Proficient with the Microsoft Suite applications – Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point, Access.
• Solid analytical, creative and problem-solving abilities; ability to assist, direct and coordinate others.
• Ability to work in an organized, efficient manner with a high-level of accuracy, attention to detail and timely follow-through.
• Demonstrates good time management skills and the ability to consistently meet deadlines, while maintaining work quality.
• Aware of the impact of job duties pertaining to the overall quality of patient care and safety and efficiency of the clinic.
• Maintains safe and clean work area and adheres to facility safety standards.
• Reports to work at the time designated and coordinates schedule with supervisor to achieve maximum productivity and efficiency during assigned shift.
• Responsible for electronic health records data entry pertinent to patient service to duties as assigned.
• Must have the ability to multi-task and handle a busy work environment effectively.
• Completion of and, above-satisfactory scores on all job interviews, demonstrating to the satisfaction of the interviewees and TCRHCC that the applicant can perform the essential functions of the job
• Successful completion of and positive results from all background and reference checks, including positive employment references from authorized representatives of past and current employers demonstrating to the satisfaction of TCRHCC a record of satisfactory performance and that the applicant can perform the essential functions of the job
• Successful completion of fingerprint clearance requirements, physical examinations, and other screenings indicating that the applicant is qualified to be employed by TCRHCC and demonstrating to the satisfaction of TCRHCC that the applicant can perform the essential functions of the job
• Submission of all required employment-related documents, applications, resumes, references, and other required information free of false, misleading, or incomplete information, as determined by TCRHCC.

MENTAL AND PHYSICAL EFFORT

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical:

The SLP will be expected to move patients, equipment, and supplies commensurate with the demands of a busy Physical Rehabilitation Department. Must be able to handle stooping, bending, squatting, kneeling, some lifting, and performance of therapeutic exercise programs for minimally to severally physically impaired patients, to move patients to and from beds/chairs, wheelchairs, etc. and ability to lift up to 50 lbs. Work requires various working positions such as walking, long periods of standing, bending, and writing/typing. Must be able to wear personal protective equipment (e.g., face mask, goggles, latex/non-latex gloves, radiology gowns, etc.) as needed. This position requires prolonged lifting, pushing, or pulling of up to 10 lbs., frequent lifting, pushing, or pulling of 11-24 lbs., and occasional lifting, pushing, or pulling of 25- 50 lbs., The position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, bending, kneeling, crouching, twisting, reaching, and maintaining balance, frequent climbing, and occasional driving.

Mental:

Must be able to work with a high degree of independence in judgement, planning and carrying out complex treatment objectives based upon their professional knowledge and experience plus exercises tact, good judgment and persuasiveness with patients, management and providers.  Work in a fast-paced environment with allotted time of patient care appointments in various clinical settings. Communicate so others can understand by speaking and/or writing. Position requires the ability to frequently cope with a high level of stress, make decisions under high pressure, cope with anger/fear/hostility of others in a calm way, concentrate, handle a high degree of flexibility, handle multiple priorities in a stressful situation, work alone, demonstrate a high degree of patience, adapt to shift work, and work in areas that are close and crowded, and occasionally manage altercations.

 

Environmental:

This position will have prolonged exposure to infectious disease and hazardous or moving equipment, Occasional exposure to chemical agents, dust, fumes, gases, and loud noises.

Responsibilities:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Clinical duties:

1. Performs professional work requiring the application of knowledge in the concepts, principles and practices of Speech-Language Pathology for the evaluation, treatment, and/or prevention of various developmental, cognitive and/or mental, emotional, and physical disabilities.
2. Responsible for a high degree of professional competence, skill and judgment in assessment, planning and carrying out the full range of treatment modalities, patient education and discharge planning of a variety of inpatient and outpatient situations. Treatment objectives are complex, and procedures involve application of highly specialized skills and knowledge.
3. Provides consultation to medical or clinical staff on matters pertaining to speech therapy and/or patient progress. Exercises tact, good judgment and persuasiveness when dealing with other health care providers.
4. Provides and assures quality patient care.
5. Participates in clinical research efforts and assists in specialty clinics.
6. Assists the supervisor and staff in all aspects of Speech Therapy Services and administrative tasks as assigned.
7. Advanced Speech-Language Pathologist II – patient care within specialty scope of practice according to board certification.
8. Ensure proper PPE is worn at all times while on duty including but not limited to, face mask, gloves, gown, isolation gown, NIOSH-approved N95 filtering facepiece respirator or higher, if available), and eye or face shield.
9. Complete all donning and doffing tasks in a safe acceptable method and discard of used PPE accordingly. (see CDC website for most current updates)
10. Complete task training for all routine cleaning and decontamination processes for all surfaces contaminated by a communicable disease to ensure a high level of patient, visitor, employee, and external customer satisfaction.
11. Other duties as assigned.

Education (Speech-Language Pathologist I/II & Advanced Speech-Language Pathologist I/II):

1. Maintains and/or obtains training, certification, or continuing education requirements for licensure and/or other specialties. Provides information to staff.
2. Assists with direction and coordination of educational programs; assists with training and in-service in speech therapy techniques for physical rehabilitation therapists/technicians, students, volunteers, and hospital staff.
3. Counsels patients, family members, and care providers on all patient education, safely and effectively, of material pertaining to plan of care/ therapeutic intervention.
4. Advanced Speech-Language Pathologist II – maintain all requirements for specialty scope of practice according to board certification.

Performance Improvement (Speech-Language Pathologist I/II & Advanced Speech-Language Pathologist I/II):

1. Identifies and reports any departmental issues pertaining to patient care, process flow, provider interaction, supplies, and other issues that create inefficiencies or dissatisfaction. Identifies area for improvement to reduce the risk of patient care injury and to enhance departmental operations.
2. Evaluates clinical skills as needed to enhance patient care and department operations.
3. Maintains recommendations upon identifying area needing of improvement. Re-evaluate needs for further improvement.
4. Participates on hospital committee as a representative for physical rehabilitation services. Provides and receives information for departmental improvement, disseminates information and offers implementation at the department level.
5. Participates and continues with professional association, continuing education, workshops, networking and collaboration to maintain knowledge of speech therapy practice.