Speech Therapist Acute Per Diem

MetroWest Medical Center is the largest community health care system between Worcester and Boston. MetroWest Medical Center is committed to providing high quality, comprehensive care, at a location close to home. The 307-bed regional healthcare system includes Framingham Union Hospital, Leonard Morse Hospital in Natick and the MetroWest Wellness Center. MetroWest Medical Center has been named to the 2019 America’s 100 Best Hospitals List by Healthgrades.

GENERAL SUMMARY

As a member of the speech pathology team, the per diem SLP will provide comprehensive diagnostic evaluations and develop treatment plans for adult patients with dysphagia and speech/language/cognitive communication disorders in the inpatient acute care setting. The clinician will work closely with the interdisciplinary team to establish treatment plans that maximize patient safety and quality of life across wide range of patient populations. The per diem SLP will exercise excellent clinical judgement, and provide high quality education to patients and their families regarding clinical findings and recommendations, as well as make appropriate referrals to specialists and assist with discharge planning. This position may also include performing and interpreting modified barium swallow studies.

Our current needs include regularly scheduled week day coverage (1-2 days per week), as well as at least 1 weekend day per month.

The ideal candidate will have at least one year of experience in an acute care setting, and experience independently performing and interpreting modified barium swallow exams is preferred.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Clinical Practice: Performs all aspects of clinical practice, including being responsible for evaluation and treatment according to standardized techniques, departmental standards, and age-appropriate guidelines. Develops treatment plans for assigned patients, including specific goals, established in conjunction with the patient and family, and therapeutic activities. Re-evaluates and modifies treatment plans at periodic intervals and as necessary. Provides patient and family education and maintains patient confidentiality. Demonstrates appropriate clinical decision making in all aspects of clinical practice, and determines proper equipment usage, application, and body position/mechanics in the administration of treatment. Is competent in usage of all equipment/modalities standard in the practice of rehab. Supervises SLP students after one full year of clinical experience.

Documentation: Prepares written documentation as required, including, but not limited to: evaluations, treatment plans, progress reports, billing documentation, treatment notes, and other reports as requested. Writes legibly and documents in accordance with professional, departmental, and hospital standards.

Communication: Communicates observations, facts, and comments to interdisciplinary team members, individually and through team meeting presentations, to ensure efficient coordination of overall health care plan. Encourages and engages in open communication to develop and reinforce professional, efficient work environment.

Teamwork/Attitude/Professionalism: Maintains department policies, procedures, objectives, and quality assurance, safety, environmental, and infection control programs. Participates in performance outcome and improvement activities, continuing education and research activities, and clinical program development activities. Attends meetings as required and participates on committees as directed. Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, current literature reviews, in-service attendance, conference/workshop attendance, etc.

Productivity/Efficiency: Provides direct treatment and billing and daily units (per day and per patient) within an acceptable range. Demonstrates independent time management skills for all duties such that documentation and billing duties are completed in a timely fashion within department standards. Is reasonable and flexible in approach to job and changing job requirements.

Onboarding Process: Please be advised that candidates must successfully complete a background check and pre-employment health screening which includes a drug screen.

OTHER JOB KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND REQUIREMENTS:
1. MS or Doctorate Degree in Speech and Language Pathology from accredited program. Successful completion of all clinical affiliations and degree requirements.
2. Valid licensure in Massachusetts and CPR certification.
3. Must have SLP-CCC credential
4. Outpatient experience preferred

*1 weekday per week

WORKING CONDITIONS:
1. Patient care environment. One-to-one or small group interactions with patient/client, family/caregiver, peers, and other personnel; frequent interruptions/distractions; potential transfer between units/areas, programs, and/or off-site locations. Occasional time spent outdoors or in hot, cold, or wet conditions.
2. Light to heavy lifting, prolonged standing and walking, frequent pushing, bending, lifting, and/or carrying objects 2-75 lbs. Occasional sitting, twisting, and climbing.

Tenet complies with federal, state, and/or local laws regarding mandatory vaccination of its workforce. If you are offered this position and must be vaccinated under any applicable law, you will be required to show proof of full vaccination or obtain an approval of a religious or medical exemption prior to your start date. If you receive an exemption from the vaccination requirement, you will be required to submit to regular testing in accordance with the law.