SPEECH/LANG PATH-REH

Evaluates, diagnoses, and treats patients with swallowing, communication, cognitive, and speech disorders resulting from illness, injury, surgery, or neurological conditions within the Maui Health system.

Administers diagnostic tests and provides individualized treatment to adults for a variety of communication disorders, voice and swallowing impairment and neurological defects. Advises physicians of test results and subsequently recommends and implements appropriate treatments. Monitors status of results and collaborates with physicians when altering treatment program. Serves as a consultant on interdisciplinary teams. Serves as a clinical expert in specialized areas such as stroke, neurodegenerative disease, traumatic brain injury etc. Performs diagnostic clinical swallowing evaluations on a diversified patient population, including adults and children with a wide variety of neurologic and medical diagnosis and surgical histories. Performs instrumental swallow studies to assess suspected dysphagia, analyze swallowing function, identify aspiration and swallowing impairments. Interprets and report the results of evaluations/tests to referring physicians, therapists and other clinical team members. Provides recommendations regarding the need for further evaluation or services in the area of speech and pathology when appropriate. Documents patients progress; maintains accurate records. Administers and analyzes test results to determine patients communicative abilities; examines patients medical history, neurological ad psychological test results in order to determine necessary therapy. Treats speech and language impairments such as dysarthria, aphasia, apraxia, and cognitive-linguistic impairment. Interprets findings and treatment to patients, families, or caregivers; provides guidance and counseling. Participates in the design and implementation of therapy programs addressing speech/language voice and swallowing problems for a diversified patient population. May participate in the development of department policies and procedures. Develops protocols and treatment programs within specialized areas. Develops and presents educational programs in area of specialty. Demonstrates professional competence in assessing patients condition at the onset and through all phases of the speech pathology program. Develops and maintains reports and data with outcome results pertaining to caseload management, quality assurance and peer review issues. Participates in orientation of new staff and student interns. Available for on-site observation by students.