Speech Language Pathologist
Shepherd Center
Atlanta, GA
Sign-On Bonus

Speech Pathologist -SHARE Military Initiative

Shepherd Center, located in Atlanta, Georgia, is a private, not-for-profit hospital specializing in medical treatment, research and rehabilitation for people with spinal cord injury, brain injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, spine and chronic pain, and other neuromuscular conditions. Join us in our mission to help people with a temporary or permanent disability, rebuild their lives with hope, independence and dignity, advocating for their full inclusion in all aspects of community life. At Shepherd Center, you'll discover a diverse and inclusive environment, enlightened leadership, a culture of teamwork, professionalism and mutual respect. If you are seeking career advancement, continuing education opportunities coupled with a welcoming and fun workplace, competitive compensation and employment benefits, visit our careers page to explore current openings. The SHARE Military Initiative at Shepherd Center is a comprehensive rehabilitation program that focuses on assessment and treatment for active duty or separated service members who have served in the U.S. military since September 11, 2001 and who are experiencing symptoms of or have a diagnosis of mild to moderate brain injury, or concussions and any co-occurring psychological or behavioral health concerns, including post-traumatic stress. Job Responsibilities: * Evaluates patient's speech, language, cognitive, and swallowing abilities and develops a Plan Of Care that is individualized towards the patient's cognitive-linguistic and/or swallowing capabilities to maximize their functional independence and safety. * Completes appropriate diagnostic assessments via standardized and non-standardized means to create an individualized and patient centered plan of care. * Plans and delivers education and training so that the patient and/or caregiver understand the patients current cognitive-linguistic and /or swallowing capabilities and how these clinical recommendations can impact the patient's environmental and safety needs. * Integrates comprehensive diagnostic information to differentiate between motor speech, cognitive-communication, language, voice and dysphagia disorders. * Makes recommendations for specialty services or consultations as needed. * Uses evaluation and treatment findings to determine appropriate discharge planning needs. * Effectively participates in intra-departmental staff meetings, and intra-departmental discipline/program committee assignments. * Will participate in education programs by teaching and/or supervising students. * Participates in research projects as warranted by departmental and/or organizational needs. * Completes all required Speech Therapy documentation in accordance with the polices and expectations of Shepherd Center. * Performance is consistent with Shepherd Center standards, clinical policies, and adheres to State of Georgia licensure and ASHA Certification guidelines. * Adheres to Professional behaviors and expectations. * Practices proper safety techniques in accordance with Center and departmental policies and procedures. Responsible for the reporting of employee/patient/visitor injuries or accidents, or other safety issues to the supervisor and in the occurrence notification system. * Actively participates in center-wide initiatives that affect speech therapy practice and delivery * Effectively Collaborates with team members, other colleagues and community stake holders. * May float to inpatient or post-acute programs to provide patient evaluation or treatment sessions as needed. * Performs other duties as required/requested. Required Minimum Education: * Master's or Doctoral degree from an accredited program in speech-language pathology. Required Minimum Certification: * Licensed to practice in the state of Georgia. * Current certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech Language Hearing. Association or eligible for completion of Clinical Fellowship leading to ASHA certification. * BLS Certification. Required Minimum Experience: * Placement within programs will depend on prior experience with given population and/or successful completion of identified clinical competencies. Required Minimum Skills: * Basic computer skills. * Effective time management skills. * Knowledge in diagnosis and treatment for speech, language, cognitive, swallowing impairments. * Able to design a plan of caregiver that is patient centered with ability to address functional needs based upon the patient and caregiver environment of care. * Successful completion of identified core competencies pertinent to specific treatment setting as it relates to age specific patient needs (i.e. adolescent, adult and geriatric) * Demonstrates competency in time management, organization, planning to manage and maintain the demands of patient care caseload and all corresponding job responsibilities. * Takes initiative for personal and clinical growth via opportunities for continuing education and maintaining licensure and certification. * Communicates effectively using timely verbal, non-verbal and written communication. * Collaborates with the organizational support structure (ST Therapy Manager, Program manager and/or director) in adapting to the changing work demands and environment. Preferred Qualifications: * Exposure or experience with diagnosis and treatment of patients with neurological impairments. Physical Demands: * Delivers therapy in a variety of modes such as at bedside, wheelchair level or in a table top manner. * May involve walking or standing or exerting up to 15 pounds of force occasionally or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. May include assisting with and/or performing transfers as appropriate and positioning of patients, consistent with lifting up to 30 lbs. Working Conditions: * Normal patient care environment. * Some potential for exposure to blood and body fluids. * Some potential exposure to infectious viruses. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified.