Feeding & Dysphagia Specialist - Casual / Speech Therapy

Casual position - 12-15 weekends per year & 1-2 holidays per year

Children's is searching for a Speech Language Pathologist or Occupational Therapist to work as a Feeding & Dysphagia Specialist Casual to perform clinical feeding evaluations, establish appropriate goals, formulate treatment plans, provide treatment interventions, maintain comprehensive documentation, and assist with coordination of care within the scope of practice of speech or occupational therapy for pediatric patients with feeding and dysphagia disorders.  Primary setting will be inpatient setting including ICU/CCU/Med Surg.  May also provide care in the outpatient, ambulatory care clinic

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Conducts clinical feeding assessments/reassessments according to department policy and procedure & appropriate to area of service delivery and indication for care. 
• Gathers and analyzes information obtained from diagnosis, indication, medical history, current status, chronologic/cognitive/developmental age, parent/caregiver/physician concern, past response to care.  
• Analyzes information to plan for, select and complete a comprehensive, objective assessment of development, feeding schedule, state of regulation prior to/during/after feed, oral exam, motor control, oral motor/feeding skills, feeding devices used, oral intake including efficiency/effectiveness, safety of swallow, that encompasses the components necessary for reporting clinical findings and developing  recommendations and plan of care related to the specific needs of the client
• Performs assessments according to department procedure on patients with prematurity, cardiac impairment, neurologic disorders, sensory dysfunction, genetic conditions, orthopedic conditions, developmental delays and other commonly seen pediatric disorders.
• Identifies risk of aspiration and recommends appropriate modifications &/or need for further diagnostics
• Utilizes information gathered through the clinical feeding evaluation/reassessment to develop a plan of care that includes frequency of intervention, types of intervention, functional goals
• Collaborates with patient, caregiver, and other healthcare providers in setting realistic goals and in developing a plan of care that is patient/caregiver focused and outcomes oriented
• Identifies appropriate and measurable short term & long-term goals addressing areas of deficit, feeding progression, oral motor/feeding skills that are realistic to the current status and expected outcomes
• Continuously assesses, reassesses and modifies goals and plan of care based upon patient status, patient response to care, caregiver feedback and patient needs.
• Utilizes an Episodes of Care model from initial assessment through discharge (outpatient setting)
• Provides high quality feeding and dysphagia therapy that reflects appropriate clinical reasoning, safe practices, evidence-based care, and that optimizes patients potential for functional gains, improved quality of life, & increased care giver participation in the areas of oral motor/feeding skills & activities of daily living related to feeding.
• Adequately prepares for sessions
• Includes caregivers in therapy sessions and provides education, strategies, techniques that can be incorporated into daily routines
• Demonstrates good problem-solving skills and ability to adapt without difficulty
• Proactively pursues opportunities to collaborate with other healthcare professionals; provides and accepts information from all members of the multidisciplinary team to facilitate goal accomplishment
• Utilizes effective communication skills with client, caregiver, professionals and other healthcare providers
• Facilitates referrals to appropriate resources/agencies within the organization and community
• Addresses patient attendance issues by educating on and enforcing the department policy and procedure (outpatient setting)
• Completes comprehensive documentation appropriate to the setting in which the occupational therapy intervention occurs and according to hospital and department policy and procedure
• Documentation clearly and concisely records patient status, plan of care, intervention provided, response to care, progress towards goals, patient/caregiver education/home program and need for continued intervention in the area of occupational therapy.
• Documentation is completed in a professional, timely manner and supports billed charges
• Able to complete assessments, treatments, documentation within the scope of speech or occupational therapy with pediatric patients who have non-feeding related impairments.
• Assists team in providing programs, systems, processes that support high quality care, current clinical practice, outcomes measures, and fiscally responsible practice.
• Actively participates in team meetings by identifying opportunities for improvement & growth, sharing insight into topics under discussion, openly listening to ideas of others
• Actively contributes towards the completion of new programs, projects, processes by volunteering to assist and completing assigned tasks/responsibilities within identified time frame.
• Supports decisions of team by incorporating new programs, systems, processes into current practice
• Facilitates growth and skill development of self, team, students and community
• Openly and willingly shares knowledge and expertise with other team members. Utilizes internal and external resources to enhance own knowledge and skills
• Prepares for and actively participates in educational opportunities provided within the department including presentations, article reviews, in- services, discussions
• Assists with the orientation of new team members into the department and organization including student education and student observations to further promote the profession

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Requires the ability to communicate effective, both verbally and in writing
• Requires basic computer skills
• Requires the ability to organize responsibilities and manage time wisely
• Requires the ability to work effectively in a team setting

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Master's or Doctorate degree from accredited college or university in Occupational Therapy or Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Communication Disorders/Speech Language Pathology required
• Minimum 3 years of experience in pediatric feeding and dysphagia assessment & treatment preferred
• Knowledge of pediatric feeding skills across settings (inpatient, outpatient, multidisciplinary clinics)
• Experience in Oral Pharyngeal Motility Studies preferred
• Experience in acute care pediatric setting preferred

CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS

• Current and valid Basic Life Support (BLS) through the American Heart Association is required.
• Current and valid Nebraska State License in Speech Language Pathology or Occupational Therapy required.
  • If filled by a Speech Language Pathologist, must have current and valid Certification of Clinical Competency from American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) required

EOE/Vets/Disabled