Scope of Position

The Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Institute is the patient care component of The Ohio State Universitys Comprehensive Cancer Center. The Speech-Language Pathologist is the member of The James Ambulatory Care Team with the goal of providing personalized health care to patients throughout our outpatients clinics. The team members report to the rehabilitation manager as part of the James Ambulatory Rehab program structure.

Position Summary

The Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) is specialized in the assessment and treatment of various voice and swallowing disorders and contributes to current evidence-based practice research in the field. The SLPs specialized knowledge of the larynx uniquely qualifies this professional to aid in the diagnostic and treatment process with a team that may include other SLPs, otolaryngologists, pulmonologists, and/or various other medical professionals. This professional is furthers sub-specialized in the assessment and treatment of speech, voice, and swallowing disorders related to head and neck cancer.

Duties and Responsibilities

75% Clinical Practice

Clinical Practice consists of patient/family orientation, evaluations, assessments, observations, treatment procedures, training, interventions, educational sessions, and counseling conducted as part of a team approach or as a single practitioner. The documentation of care and communication about patients care among team members are integral components of clinical practice.

• Both evaluation and treatment sessions may be conducted in individual sessions with one or more practitioners (i.e. co-treatment), in groups of patients with similar or divers skill levels, or within groupings of patients who focus on individual goals but participate in care within general treatment areas, other locations within the medical center or in the community.
• Professionals use a wide variety of approaches for evaluation and treatment, consistent with the individual needs of the persons served, their families, and caregivers. Approaches include: salient factors: - those key issues that must be addressed to achieve the established discharge plan; use of clinical pathways, algorithms, and clinical guidelines; use of specific protocols to address component functions or skills established within the Rehabilitation Plan of Care (as applicable to venue of care). Each practitioner within the patient care team is responsible for assuring a 24-hour rehabilitation environment by establishing continuity of care among all shifts of team members throughout the day.
• Education/training and support sessions are as important as sessions that focus of physical or other specified skills.
• Incorporates in-hospital activities and outings related to therapy goals.
• Clinical practice for licensed professional also includes the supervision of assistants (PTA, COTA), rehabilitation aides, as assigned. Scope of work of assistants and aides is specified in their job descriptions, consistent with the laws of the State of Ohio and guidelines established by national professionals associations.
• Diagnoses, treats, and performs research related to speech and hearing problems.
• Consults with medical staff on a continuing basis regarding the evaluation and therapy performed.
• Serves as a team member of the rehabilitation units to coordinate patient treatment.
• Plans, conducts, and directs therapy programs designed to restore, conserve or improve communicative ability.
• Trains patients with functional or organic speech disorders to produce, improve or conserve proper speech.
• Provides guidance and counseling to speech and language handicapped individuals.
• Performs screening examinations to detect hearing problems and appropriate referrals to the audiologist.
• Prepares reports on diagnostic findings, therapy used, progress made and final summary reports.
• Provides in-service programs for members of the hospital staff.
• Provides clinical experience and training to students (Speech Pathology and Allied Medical).

15% of time - Educational Activities

Educational Activities are those that promote advanced knowledge and skills of Speech Language Pathology Fellow and include but are notlimited to: attending and/or presenting at SLP journal club, grand rounds, strobe/dysphagia review, research meetings, fellow conferences, a national voice conference (i.e. fall voice), completing surgical observations, completing instruction within the academic program of singing health and speech and hearing, participating in singing health research, and completing self-study of current evidence to further voice and swallowing clinical practice.

5% of time - Team Activities

Team Activities are those that support care of the persons served, including scheduling, daily care planning sessions, family conferences, internal continuing education sessions, team and divisional business meetings. Team members also participate in clinical quality and outcomes management activities. In addition, team members may have opportunities to participate in medical center committee activities including event coverage and outreach opportunities. Specific requirements and schedules for team activities are established by management personnel in cooperation with team members.

5% of time - Professional Discipline Activities

It is particularly important in an interdisciplinary environment that rehabilitation team members maintain formal links with members of their own profession, having opportunities to pursue discipline-specific continuing education, teach students and other professionals about aspects of practice, participate in research activities, and interact with members of their profession within and outside the medical center.

All team members will establish specific goals and activities that relate to their professional discipline, including inservice education and periodic discipline-specific professional business meetings/conferences both within and outside the medical center. Some members of the rehabilitation team may have indirect, but specific ties to a central department of the medical center, if applicable.

Organizational Expectations

Practices within the Medical Center's policies and procedures. Adheres to the Intensive Caring Value statements as demonstrated through positive patient/guest relations, positive and effective interactions with staff, and formulating and meeting developmental goals.

Minimum Qualifications

All Physical Therapy Residents must hold current licensure with the State of Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Athletic Training Board.

A Masters degree in Speech Pathology or equivalent combination of education and experience is required. Individuals completing a Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY/SLP).

Ongoing: Maintains professional licensure; demonstrates commitment to continuing education; meets mandatory educational and health requirements, demonstrates competence in technical, interpersonal, and cognitive skills required to meet essential job functions.