Under the direction of the Director or Assistant Director of Speech Pathology & Audiology, the Speech Therapist II provides diagnostic and therapeutic intervention to all patient populations and completes all indirect and direct departmental procedures and duties related to the position of Speech Therapist II.

The Speech Therapist II must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his/her unit – pediatric through geriatric. The Speech Therapist II must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span; possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status; interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to their age-specific needs; and to provide the care needed as described in the Speech Pathology & Audiology Department's policies and procedures.

Type of supervision exercised: Team Leader. Jobs reporting to this position: Student Interns, Administrative Secretary, Volunteers.

EDUCATION:

Master's degree in Speech and Language Pathology from an accredited program required.

WORK EXPERIENCE:

Minimum of one (1) year experience in rehabilitation preferred.

SPECIAL EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

Must possess Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech and Language Pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association; or be in the process of obtaining certificate.

PA state licensure in the area of Speech Pathology required.

Membership in the American Speech/Language/Hearing Association required.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills and interpersonal skills required for effective communication with staff, patients, families, or significant others, management, and other professionals.

Valid PA driver’s license required for travel when presenting in-service programs.

Must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide individualized care appropriate to the age specific need and culture of the patient served.

Must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide individualized care appropriate to the age specific need and culture of the patient served.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Light work: duties require exerting up to 20 lbs. of force occasionally (approx 10-33% of shift), and/or up to 10 lbs. of force frequently (approx 33-66% of the time), and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move, lift, carry, push, and pull objects such as in the retrieval, using, and storing of materials and equipment used in therapy.

Position involves bending, reaching, and stooping (occasionally in strained position) throughout shift.

Ability to transport self throughout facility is required.

Position involves ambulating when performing tests and therapy; reaching for, handling, and fingering equipment controls and work aids; feeling patient's lips, mouth, jaw and throat.

Verbal skills are required to convey information and give instruction.

Acute hearing for determining differentiation in speech impairments and progress of patients under treatment is required.

Visual acuity is required for reading data and equipment controls and to observe mouth and lips in formation of sounds.

ACCIDENT OR HEALTH HAZARDS:

Occasional exposure to X-ray radiation while performing videofluoroscopic swallowing studies.

Occasional contact with body fluids during dysphagia and oral peripheral examinations and intervention.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Works in a well-lit office environment or treatment space.

Required Skills

+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF JOB: | | | | E = Essential Element                       NE = Nonessential Element | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 60%  Provides direct patient care such as diagnostics, treatment, | | consultations and counseling.  (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 15%  Prepares all clinical records in accordance with departmental and | | hospital-wide policy. Prepares reports of speech, language, dysphagia | | and videofluroscopy evaluations for distribution to referring | | individuals and agencies. Keeps records of therapeutic units and writes | | progress reports to referring physicians and agencies.  (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 10%  Counsels patients, families and other staff members as to the need | | for and goals of speech therapy; and instructs in procedures which will | | be involved in speech, language and dysphagia therapy.  (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 10%  Provides diagnostic and therapeutic videofluoroscopy services as | | needed. Follows-up with reports to physician, rehabilitation team, and | | referring agencies.  (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 2%  Presents in-service programs within and outside the facility and | | attends weekly patient staffings.  (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 1%  Supervises the activities of the Student Intern, supportive staff | | and volunteers.  (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 1%  Assumes responsibilities related to the departmental Performance | | Improvement program as assigned by the Director.  (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 1%  Notifies or recommends the purchase of specific supplies as needed.  | | (NE) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+

Required Experience

+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF JOB: | | | | E = Essential Element                       NE = Nonessential Element | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 60%  Provides direct patient care such as diagnostics, treatment, | | consultations and counseling.  (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 15%  Prepares all clinical records in accordance with departmental and | | hospital-wide policy. Prepares reports of speech, language, dysphagia | | and videofluroscopy evaluations for distribution to referring | | individuals and agencies. Keeps records of therapeutic units and writes | | progress reports to referring physicians and agencies.  (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 10%  Counsels patients, families and other staff members as to the need | | for and goals of speech therapy; and instructs in procedures which will | | be involved in speech, language and dysphagia therapy.  (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 10%  Provides diagnostic and therapeutic videofluoroscopy services as | | needed. Follows-up with reports to physician, rehabilitation team, and | | referring agencies.  (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 2%  Presents in-service programs within and outside the facility and | | attends weekly patient staffings.  (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 1%  Supervises the activities of the Student Intern, supportive staff | | and volunteers.  (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 1%  Assumes responsibilities related to the departmental Performance | | Improvement program as assigned by the Director.  (E) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 1%  Notifies or recommends the purchase of specific supplies as needed.  | | (NE) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+