Speech Pathologist

Function of Job

Employees in this classification are professional specialists engaged primarily in studying, evaluating, and treating individuals with disorders in the comprehension and production of speech and language. The work requires professional knowledge of the nature of these disorders, their organic and functional causes, and methods of therapeutic treatment. It is performed in several settings (such as hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, and educational institutions). Employees may engage in any one or a combination of the following work functions: (1) rendering direct clinical services to patients by screening, identifying, evaluating, and treating speech disorders through planned courses of therapy; (2) providing learning opportunities to undergraduate- and graduate-level students in the form of lectures or clinical practice; and; (3) performing research activities in conjunction with, or separate from, direct clinical services.

Employees in this classification coordinate and supervise the activities of a unit that employs professional specialists in speech pathology and others engaged in professional or semi-professional work in the field of speech.

A(n) Speech Pathologist typically -

1. assigns, coordinates, and reviews the work of subordinate staff within the unit:
   1. sets unit priorities;
   2. assigns case load, training, and research activities to professional staff members according to their professional interests, capabilities, and time limitations;
   3. confers with professional staff members regarding progress of cases and treatment programs; provides advice on more difficult cases and suggests new approaches, techniques, or resources;
   4. assures that required case files, records, and reports are properly maintained;
   5. makes recommendations to superiors as to the selection, evaluation, and discipline of subordinate staff;
2. evaluates, enhances, and expands the quantity and quality of patient care provided by the unit:
   1. conducts periodic internal audit of cases evaluated and treated by the unit to assure that patient care is carried out in accordance with accepted professional practices and administration policy;
   2. keeps current with trends and new developments in speech and hearing practices, procedures, and techniques; evaluates their adaptability to the unit's program and available facilities and recommends adop­tion, if feasible;
   3. seeks and establishes contacts with accredited outside treatment and rehabilitation centers (such as hospitals, special education programs in public and/or private schools, Board of Health Clinics, and mental rehabilitation centers) to enlarge the number of referral resources available to the unit;
   4. arranges and participates in regular conferences with professionals in other disciplines (such as medicine, surgery, dentistry, psychiatry, nursing, and other therapy and clinical services) to promote coopera­tion and to consult with them regarding program planning for specific patients;
   5. speaks before community and in-house groups to acquaint them with the unit's programs and services and to encourage patient referrals;
3. conducts, assigns, and reviews instructional, training, and research activities of the unit:
   1. provides appropriate learning opportunities to undergraduate and graduate students assigned to the unit for internship training and clinical practica in speech pathology; e.g. (i) establishing orien­tation program for new students; (ii) assigning cases to students and providing appropriate guidance; and (iii) preparing written evaluation of the students' performance at the end of the training or learning period;
   2. presents, or assigns other professional staff members to present, in-service education and lectures designed to instruct physicians, nurses, and other professional personnel in the basics of speech pathology;
   3. may perform, and encourage staff members to perform, research pro­jects concerned with developing new theoretical bases for professional operations or new clinical approaches and tools;
4. develops annual budget requests for the unit, recommends the purchase of equipment and material and, within approved budget, approves expenditures for equipment, supplies, and miscellaneous items;
5. completes, or directs the completion of, regular annual, quarterly, and special reports required by management concerning unit activities, ac­complishments, and goals;
6. performs related duties as assigned.

CREDENTIALS TO BE VERIFIED BY PLACEMENT OFFICER

1. Current license as a Speech-Language Pathologist as required by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
2. Two (2) years (24 months) of experience as a licensed Speech Pathologist.

1. Knowledge of speech and hearing science and neurogenic and psychological correlates that underly speech, language, and voice problems.
2. Knowledge of diagnostic and therapeutic techniques appropriate to the patient's problem.
3. Skill using technical equipment, sound level meters, other speech and hearing testing, and therapeutic devices.
4. Ability to establish rapport with patients and families and to instill interest and enthusiasm toward therapy.
5. Ability to prepare concise and complete case records and reports.
6. Ability to establish work priorities; assess workflow; assign, review, and evaluate the work of others.