Speech Language Pathologist - Acute Relief

Department Overview

The purpose of this position is to function as a member of the Rehabilitation services patient care team by providing speech-language pathology services such as screening assessments, diagnostic evaluations and patient training related to communication, swallowing and/or cognition. Therapists evaluate each patient referred, establish treatment goals and objectives, develop and implement the treatment plan, and assist in the process of discharge planning and post-hospital placement.

Therapists are expected to supervise therapy interns, assist with other educational research activities conducted by the department or the hospital and meet hospital standards regarding documentation and productivity. This position may include weekend shift rotation.
Relief employees must be available to work at least four (4) days per pay period as determined according to the department needs

Evaluation and Caseload Management

• Prioritizes patients care needs given medical necessity, discharge plan, medical stability and appropriateness to participate in rehabilitation
• Evaluates patients to determine appropriateness of referral
• Identifies rehab potential, establishes treatment goals specific to the scope of acute care rehabilitation, including functional outcomes, quantitative measures and target dates
• Performs diagnostic tests and maintains clinical competence (e.g. MBS, FEES)
• Develops treatment plans to achieve identified goals
• Documents evaluations in patient’s medical record in compliance with DNV, OHSU, OAR’s and third-party payer criteria
• Enters accurate codes for services performed and bills time in patient care accurately
• Provides surveillance and/or consultation in a time-efficient manner for patients, specific to care area; requesting orders and/or providing guidance to the patient’s team regarding activity or prevention of complications (including but not limited to diet/feeding recommendations)

Provides skilled rehabilitation treatment

• Prioritizes care needs given medical necessity, discharge plan, medical stability and appropriateness to participate in rehabilitation
• Performs and documents skilled patient care activities, including direct treatment and caregiver/patient/family education
• Monitors and adjusts treatment plans specific to patient progress
• Communicates patient needs and promotes carryover of communication strategies, swallowing precautions, etc. with nursing and other caregivers
• Updates recommendations to team regarding continuing rehabilitation needs and plan as patient’s condition and situations warrant
• Directs, supports and providers supervision as required for aides and volunteers
• Develops and enhances patient care program and patient outcomes in specialty area
• Documents treatment and other patient contacts in patient’s medical record in compliance with DNV, OHSU, OAR’s and third-party payer criteria.

Clinical Education

• Provides evidence-based clinical instruction experiences and supervision for Clinical Fellows and professional students
• Ensure student completion of weekly goals; identifies and facilitates achievement of affiliation objectives
• Provides regular feedback and completes evaluations on schedule
• Participates in the supervision and training for students from other disciplines

Care Coordination

• Collaborates with patient, family, and medical team in multidisciplinary patient rounds, ensuring a common level of understanding of the patient’s rehabilitation needs, and providing recommendations for rehab after discharge
• Requests patient/family conferences as appropriate, and participates in conferences representing department, heightens awareness of and advocates for rehab needs of patient
• Enhances patient safety both during and after hospitalization by assisting the team in problem-solving, including but not limited to dysphagia, communication and cognition impairments
• Provides feedback and educates physicians, fellows, residents, and other health care providers about rehabilitation (including but not limited to medical necessity for skilled rehabilitation services and appropriate referrals and expectations for rehab outcome and intensity at various levels of…