Speech Language Pathologist (SLP)

La Rabida Children’s Hospital provides specialized, family-centered health care to children with medically complex conditions, disabilities, and chronic illness. Through expertise, compassion, and advocacy we help children and their families reach their fullest potential, regardless of their ability to pay.

Our not-for-profit hospital, licensed for 49 beds, helps transition children from neonatal or pediatric intensive care to home, by providing medical, rehabilitative and developmental care, and by training families to continue treatments and manage the necessary equipment in the home. La Rabida also provides extensive rehabilitation for those recovering from wounds or burns and treatment for exacerbations of chronic conditions.

The hospital’s enhanced pediatric patient-centered medical home provides primary care to children with complex medical conditions and their siblings. Children with medical homes elsewhere come to La Rabida for specialty services. La Rabida offers a wide range of specialty services provided to children with sickle cell disease, diabetes, and many others. Children are supported in their emotional and developmental growth, particularly in cases where such growth has been interrupted by accident or disease.

Finally, La Rabida provides forensic and treatment services for children exposed to abuse and neglect, comprehensive assessments for youth in care, early intervention for children between 0 and 3 years of age. Care coordination services for medically complex children are also provided for those who are covered by a health plan and receive care from providers in Cook County

The Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) is responsible for the provision of speech therapy services within her or his individual scope of clinical competence.  Services provided span across inpatient and outpatient, including early intervention and physician clinics.  The SLP is also responsible for upholding professional standards and promoting quality in practice. 

The SLP performs the duties of a professional Speech-Language Pathologist for an assigned caseload with an emphasis on providing comprehensive care.  They are responsible for the development of their professional skills.  In addition, the SLP shares their speech-language expertise within the department.  The SLP may supervise students in their clinical studies.  The SLP is responsible for administrative tasks related to the patient care services they provide and required for regulatory and organizational compliance.

Speech-Language Pathologist Essential Functions:

• Provides professional speech-language pathology services in accordance with the standards established by the professional association and other relevant regulatory requirements. 
• Selects appropriate evaluation tools, administers, and interprets findings correctly
• Communicates effectively and in a timely manner with patients, families, doctors, 3rd party payers, other professionals, etc.
• Treatment is safe and effective
• Demonstrates cost effectiveness, using extenders (aides) and materials appropriately
• Effective team leader and family-friendly
• Shows good knowledge of hospital and community resources; develops education materials as needed
• Effective educator
• Adapts to the family’s needs and comprehension
• Documentation of patient care at role-model level in regard to content and timeliness
• Documents all appropriate patient and family interactions in a timely and complete manner in accordance with department, organization, state, and federal regulations
• Communication with all appropriate members of a patient’s team.  Proactive communication. Close all communication loops
• Ensures referrals are appropriate, follows up as necessary
• Functions at the role model level in regard to the Team Leader and the Team member
• Advocates for patients as needed, goes above and beyond
• Completes letters of medical need
• Develop and monitor care plans
• Completion of daily billing activities
• Department, team, committee meetings
• Presenting and attending case presentations and in-services
• Participating in education activities for other departments, within the hospital, and for the community
• Provide supervision and training to allied health professional students 

•  Master’s degree in Speech and Hearing Science or equivalent required
• Graduate clinical practicum required; pediatric practicum experience and hospital experience preferred
• Current Illinois licensure (or license pending); ASHA CCC early intervention credential preferred, eligibility for EI evaluation credential
• Bilingual Spanish Speaking is strongly preferred. Communicates effectively; reflects the values of La Rabida in all interactions; demonstrates accountability, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
• CPR Required. Only certifications issued by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross will be accepted

La Rabida Children’s Hospital is very proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

La Rabida is a place unlike any other. We understand the needs of families with children dealing with the most serious or complicated of conditions. With teams of the best healthcare providers in Chicago, we give continuous, comprehensive care, education, and support, helping families face their unique obstacles head-on.   

La Rabida Children’s Hospital is very proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.