Speech Pathologist, Adults - Full-Time, Days

Be a part of a world-class academic healthcare system, UChicago Medicine, as a Speech Pathologist. Here you will work alongside our Adult Speech Pathology team. This position is a 100% onsite opportunity. You will need to be based in the greater Chicagoland area.

Under the direction and supervision of the Clinical Director of Speech Pathology and Section Administrator (BSD).  Provides speech pathology services (consultation, evaluation, and therapy) in an acute care hospital and clinical outpatient setting.  Provides prompt and efficient attention to patient needs.  Manages and performs administrative duties related to clinical role.

Essential Job Functions 

• Evaluate inpatient and outpatient customers with communication and swallowing disorders; plan and provide speech/language and/or swallowing therapy to meet patient care needs.
• Write daily progress notes to document each patient contact, keep written documentation of transactions regarding each patient (i.e., telephone conversations, family meetings, etc.), use departmental data base to track patient care activity and charges
• Complete and submit departmental charge forms for each patient reflecting billing for the appropriate level of service.
• Assist in maintaining therapy and examination rooms in a neat and orderly condition. Monitor supply utilization to insure adequate levels of supplies are available in each room.
• Prepare reports and submit outpatient reports for placement in medical record and clinic shadow files.
• Attend patient care rounds weekly to maintain multidisciplinary interaction and cooperation. Identify patients who may benefit from speech pathology services and report on patients who are currently being seen for speech pathology services.
• Provide basic science lecture and inservice instruction for medical students, resident physicians, nursing staff and other allied health professionals.
• Assist the Clinical Director of Speech Pathology in the formulation, development and conduct of relevant clinical research projects and continuous quality improvement projects.
• Attend and participate in weekly speech pathology staff meetings and monthly clinical staff meetings.
• Follow all appropriate hospital patient care, regulatory, and administrative policies.
• Performs other duties as requested by senior management.

Required Qualifications 

• Master of Science/Arts in Speech-Language Pathology is required.
• The candidate must be eligible for ASHA certification. The candidate must hold current licensure with the State of Illinois in Speech-Language Pathology.
• Knowledge and utilization of appropriate patient care protocol relating to the physical and psychological needs of neonatal, pediatric, adolescent, and geriatric patients is required and may be obtained through on-the-job competency training.
• Candidate should demonstrate proven ability to consistently perform assigned tasks promptly and with a high level of customer satisfaction. Ability to handle contacts with patients, physicians and/or external contacts courteously and pleasantly while providing prompt and efficient attention to customer needs is also essential.
• Requires skill in handling sensitive matters and patients with tact, courtesy and discretion. Requires excellent verbal communication skills, particularly with respect to one-on-one interpersonal communication.  Requires demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently; including determining priorities, organizing work, working independently, and working in a fast paced environment.
• Computer and typing proficiency (minimum 30 words per minute) is required for data entry functions and utilizing internal information systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• 1-3 years of clinical experience

• Experience in an acute care setting, including management of patients with complex medical conditions including tracheostomy management. 

• Experience in the assessment and treatment of dysphagia across diverse patient populations.

• Experience in assessment and ongoing treatment of acquired neurogenic communication disorders in a rehabilitation (inpatient and/or outpatient) setting

• Proficiency with Videofluoroscopic Swallow studies (VFSS).

• Experience conducting Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES).

• Strong clinical judgement, interdisciplinary collaboration skills, and commitment to evidence-based practice.

Position Details 

• Job Type/FTE: Full-Time (1.0 FTE)
• Shift: Days, Monday - Friday 8 am - 4:30 pm, shared weekend shift rotation to supplement PRN coverage of weekends, with an average of 1 shift every 2 months
• Work Location: Onsite - Hyde Park
• Unit/Department: Speech Pathology - Adults
• CBA Code: Non-Union