Speech Language Pathologist

Dignity Health Mercy San Juan Medical Center is a 370-bed not-for-profit Level 2 Trauma Center located in Carmichael California serving the areas of north Sacramento County and south Placer County for more than 50 years. It is one of the area’s largest and most comprehensive medical centers. Dedicated to the community’s well-being our staff and volunteers provide excellence in care for our patients each year. Mercy San Juan Medical Center has received recognition for being a Comprehensive Stroke Center and Center of Excellence for Bariatric Surgery along with Certificates of Excellence in Perinatal Care Hip- and Knee- Replacement.  

The incumbent demonstrates competency in speech pathology for pediatric, adult, or geriatric patients as applicable for the site/level of care of employment. The incumbent provides patient assessments, develops and implements individual patient treatment programs, provides therapeutic interventions utilizing current and effective methodologies, and maintains effective documentation.

• Evaluations are completed according to department protocol. Completed within 48 hours once evaluation has been
  initiated.
• Provides effective and adequate treatment. Implements effective and adequate treatment following department
  guidelines. Ongoing assessment of treatment effectiveness. Goals and treatment are modified as appropriate in relation
  to working toward goals. Selects appropriate treatment interventions. Utilizes specialized techniques. Patient safety is
  addressed with follow-up recommended. Recommends/obtains equipment as appropriate. Demonstrates knowledge of
  the principles of growth and development over the lifespan of the patient.
• Patient/family education and training. Addresses patient/family education. Demonstrates a variety of teaching methods.
• Methods are appropriate to the level of understanding.
• Complies with department policy regarding documentation. Completed in a timely manner according to department policy.
  Concise, legible, correct grammar using medical terminology and approved abbreviations. Reflects all interventions used
  in treatment, all ongoing assessment of treatment effectiveness, and changes in goals and treatment plan as appropriate.
  Addresses quality improvement indicators per policy. Reflects interdisciplinary teamwork and collaboration. Timecards,
  productivity logs, billing, and other logs for departmental functions are completed in a timely manner per department
  policy.
• Communication & Collaboration with Team/MD: Appropriately communicates treatment plan and patient status with team
  and MD with no more than 1 complaint per year. Participates in team conferences. Addresses verification of payor
  guidelines/authorizations as needed, in a timely manner (i.e., prior to scheduling/treating patient or obtaining equipment.
• Attempts made to contact MD with patient concerns or changes in status in a timely manner. Solicits feedback from MD
  and coworkers to improve teamwork and collaboration (or uses unsolicited feedback) with no more than 1 valid complaint
  per year and no more than two complaints of the same nature per year.

Experience: 

• Previous experience as a speech pathologist is preferred, current BLS certification is required and the incumbent is required to exhibit the following
  knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Previous experience as a speech pathologist. (Preferred)

Education:

• This position requires graduation from an accredited school of Speech Pathology and current California State licensure. This position requires a MA/MS degree.

Lincensure:

• Will consider candidate who has not yet obtained CCC if department staffing allows. Must obtain CCC within 12 months of hire.

Job Specifications:

Knowledge of: *Current speech pathology techniques, standards, principles, and procedures. * Specialized assessment for the appraisal of neuropathologies as they relate to communication and swallowing function including aphasia, cognition, dysphagia, and dysarthria *Medical terminology *Proper body mechanics *Infection control procedures Ability to: *Assess patient condition based upon sound pathophysiological principles *Develop and implement appropriate patient treatment plan *Complete and maintain records of speech pathology observations, treatments, and actions *Plan and organize work effectively and efficiently *Develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with physicians, nursing and other hospital personnel *Maintain the confidentiality of medical information *Fully meet the obligations of the Mission and Philosophy of Catholic Healthcare West *Flexibility within a changing health care environment