SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST - FEEDING PROGRAM

Brief Description

Speech Language Pathologist, Center For Pediatric Feeding Disorders responsible for evaluating child’s feeding skills, developing feeding protocol, administering protocol, assess patient’s progress, monitoring data, overseeing implementation of protocols by other staff members, parent training, and perform duties necessary for program development. Supports Hospital's mission to provide the highest quality care by complying with regulatory guidelines, meeting agency standards, and obtaining appropriate certification.

Job Duties / Responsibilities

• Provides day patient and outpatient services in feeding therapy in accordance with the American Speech & Hearing Association's scope of practice guidelines. Demonstrates competency in the skills required by the facility on at least a bi-annual basis.
• Administers initial evaluation including baselines, reinforcer assessment, oral motor evaluation, and food preference and texture assessment, if clinically indicated.
• Evaluates and regularly re-evaluates the feeding needs of the patient. Initiates, develops, implements and makes necessary revisions to the patient's plan of care. Assesses the patient's continual care needs. Includes all problems identified in the assessment in the plan of care or documents rationale for not doing so.
• Makes referrals to other disciplines as indicated by the needs of the patient or documents rationale for not doing so.
• Assesses oral-motor and swallowing function and recommends the need for an instrumental swallow study.
• Develops individual behavioral and/or oral motor feeding protocol with input, as necessary, from the Behavioral Psychologist.
• Reviews recent swallow test, obtains baseline measures and administers Vital Stim therapy (if certified) upon clearance from medical personnel and signed parental consent.
• Collects, compiles and analyzes data accurately.
• Embraces the model of patient and family centered care and works in collaboration with parents to develop goals and track progress.
• Properly trains caregivers in treatment protocols prior to discharge from Feeding Program.
• Coordinates the total plan of care and maintains continuity of patient care by liaising with other professionals, school & daycare staff, and extended family, as needed.
• Completes documentation accurately in a timely manner and according to policies.
• Integral part of orienting and training new staff to Feeding Program.
• Sanitizes and organizes feeding therapy room equipment (i.e., chairs/toys) daily.
  
  

Requirements

Formal education required:

Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology

ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence

Current New York State license to practice Speech-Language Pathology

Previous Experience Required

Minimum of 1 year experience in pediatric/feeding preferred.

Summary

Join our fabulous team of professionals where big hearts help little patients!

We RECOGNIZE ability and REWARD excellence. We offer a competitive salary and generous benefits:

• Excellent individual/family benefits
• Generous paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Life insurance
• Flexible spending accounts
• 403(b) retirement plan
  
  

St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children is committed to nurturing a compassionate environment that welcomes all children, young adults, families, and staff; built on the belief that what makes us different makes us stronger, and provides unity throughout our community

St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children is an Equal Opportunity Employer

M/F/D/V/SO