Speech Language Pathologist

Where You’ll Work

Founded in 1946, Dignity Health - French Hospital Medical Center is a 112-bed, acute care, nonprofit hospital located in San Luis Obispo, California. Serving over 150,000 patients annually, the hospital offers a full complement of services including heart care, orthopedics, and a family birthing center. Additionally, French Hospital Medical Center has been recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. It is a Joint Commission-certified Primary Stroke Center, and has achieved an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group for every reporting period since 2012.

One Community. One Mission. One California 

Job Summary and Responsibilities

As our Speech Language Pathologist, you will be a vital clinician, expertly assessing, diagnosing, and treating communication and swallowing disorders to significantly improve patient quality of life.Every day, you will conduct comprehensive evaluations for all referred patients, meticulously implementing individualized treatment plans. You'll contribute clinical expertise to develop/upgrade treatment programs/protocols, and actively shape departmental and organizational goals.To be successful in this role, you will possess advanced clinical knowledge, exceptional diagnostic/therapeutic skills, and a compassionate, patient-centered approach.

• RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Under the direction of the department manager & upon appropriate physician referral, evaluates & treats patients to improve their functional status.
  • Works in outpatient and inpatient care as directed by the manager.
  • Communicates with families, physicians, other health team members, & participates in meetings as needed. Scope of practice to be consistent with APTA and California Physical Therapy Practice Act as well as, departmental policy & procedure.
  • Reports to department manager for both administrative & patient care duties.
  • Coordinates with other department members as directed by the department manager to optimize delivery of client services with available resources.
  • Evaluates inpatients within 24 hours of physician referral, observing departmental hours of operation. Outpatient evaluation must be within 30 days from date of physician referral.
  • Develops effective treatment plans & obtains necessary approval for services from referring physician.
  • Explains treatment objectives & methods to patients and, as appropriate, their families.
  • Communicates with department manager & other health team members as appropriate regarding patient progress, problems, status & plans.
  • Involved in in-service training for department & other health team members.
  • Records evaluations, daily treatment notes, weekly progress notes & discharge summaries per policy & procedure. Also records treatment charges accurately per policy & procedure.
  • Reports any problems with equipment or safety issues to department manager & completes appropriate written report.
• ANALYZING
  • Analyzes the work to be done; establishes priorities & identifies optimal sequences to accomplish them.
  • Assesses the resources available to meet departments & divisions goals.
  • Keeps aware of societal & contemporary working trends & their present or potential impact upon health care services.
  • Obtains, processes & disseminates information essential to job performance.
• ORGANIZING
  • Develops an effective & efficient organizational structure.
  • Develops efficient systems to conduct work (time management, delegation, etc.).
• LEADING: Climate Setting
  • Establishes a climate of mutual trust & respect by dealing with others in a fair & just manner.
  • Initiates, stimulates & effects appropriate change.
  • Encourages motivation in patient care delivery systems.
• LEADING: Problem Solving/Decision Making
  • Assumes responsibility for decision making under own scope of control. Influences the acceptance of those decisions & assumes accountability for them.
  • Views departmental issues within scope of the organizational & national health care environment.
  • Utilizes a systematic problem solving process.
  • Promotes group work to solve problems & achieve goals.
• LEADING: Conflict Management
  • Manages conflict by assessing the situation & utilizing the appropriate strategies to address & mediate conflict.
  • Promotes a win-win conflict resolution climate.

Job Requirements

Required

• Graduation from an accredited College or University with M.A./M.S. degree in speech language pathology., upon hire
• Speech Language Pathologist: CA, upon hire 
• Basic Life Support - CPR, upon hire