Speech Pathology Specialist - Head & Neck

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is an independent, nonprofit organization providing adult cancer treatment and groundbreaking research focused on cancer and infectious diseases. Based in Seattle, Fred Hutch is the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Washington.

 

With a track record of global leadership in bone marrow transplantation, HIV/AIDS prevention, immunotherapy and COVID-19 vaccines, Fred Hutch has earned a reputation as one of the world’s leading cancer, infectious disease and biomedical research centers. Fred Hutch operates eight clinical care sites that provide medical oncology, infusion, radiation, proton therapy and related services, and network affiliations with hospitals in five states. Together, our fully integrated research and clinical care teams seek to discover new cures to the world’s deadliest diseases and make life beyond cancer a reality.

 

At Fred Hutch we value collaboration, compassion, determination, excellence, innovation, integrity and respect. Our mission is directly tied to the humanity, dignity and inherent value of each employee, patient, community member and supporter. Our commitment to learning across our differences and similarities make us stronger. We seek employees who bring different and innovative ways of seeing the world and solving problems.

 

Under the general direction of the Sr. Manager, Rehabilitation Services, the Speech Pathology Specialist is responsible for providing speech language pathology services to Fred Hutch patients with communication and swallowing disorders. Besides clinical duties, the Speech Pathology Specialist is responsible for maintaining thorough documentation of services to patients and also serves as a clinical resource to all Fred Hutch departments and clinicians. Facilitates referrals to internal and community resources as appropriate.

• Evaluating, planning, directing, and administering treatment to Fred Hutch patient with communication and swallowing disorders, specifically with expertise in head neck and thoracic cancer patient populations
• Maintaining patient documentation per institutional and payor requirements
• Evaluating treatment goals and progress towards these goals.
• Provide education and home program training for patients and their family/caregivers
• Collaborates with other disciplines as appropriate to coordinate continuity of patient care
• Make recommendations for equipment and product ordering associated with service and appropriate labeling, storage, and organization of equipment and products
• Provides leadership for care coordination within scope of clinical program
• Actively participates in programmatic quality improvement projects
• Effectively collaborates with physicians and speech-language pathologists across sites for continuity of care
• Completes other duties as assigned by Rehabilitation Services Sr. Manager to meet the mission of the program, including but not limited to educational lectures, student instruction, networking with other clinical services, and volunteer supervision

 

Required:

• Master's degree in Speech Language Pathology or Communication Sciences and Disorders.
• WA State DOH License in speech-language pathology by start date.
• Current BLS AHA Health Provider Card (or equivalent course, such as by the American Red Cross) and renewal required every two years

• At least 3 years of clinical experience including the management of complex head-neck oncology patients; OR 2 years of clinical experience including specialty post-graduate clinical fellowship within a multidisciplinary otolaryngology or head-neck oncology practice.

• Proficiency in performing and interpreting flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) and video-fluoroscopic swallow studies (VFSS/MBSS).Experience working with laryngectomy population including alaryngeal speech restoration and voice prosthesis management.
• Demonstrates behaviors that are consistent with Fred Hutch's Mission and Values
• Follows organizational and departmental policies and procedures
• Displays excellent customer service and relations skills
• Communicates concisely and effectively, both orally and written, with co-workers, physicians, patients, and caregivers
• Ability to promote and maintain excellent interpersonal relationships
• Ability to demonstrate flexibility, attention to detail, and work under pressure
• Ability to adapt to rapidly changing and stressful situations including balancing the need for quality of work with the need to respond to workload
• Ability to take initiative in identifying and resolving problems and participating in making improvements for the purpose of improving quality of care and services
• Ability to be proactive, use strategic thinking and sound judgment to accomplish tasks
• Accepts responsibility for all aspects of the position
• Demonstrates ability to work independently to perform job duties and refers appropriate questions and/or decisions to their supervisor
• Works well with team members toward a common purpose; reinforces the efforts and goals of the work group; and supports the team's decision regardless of individual viewpoint
• Demonstrates flexibility in schedule and assignments in order to meet the needs of the program
• Improves productivity through proper time management
• Seeks feedback from customers and team members in order to identify and improve processes and outcomes
• Demonstrates excellent organizational skills with ability to handle multiple demands with a high work volume
• Seeks ways to improve care efficiency by optimizing time management
• Demonstrates excellent organizational skills and ability to triage multiple competing demands within a fast-paced high-volume clinical program
• Readily accepts necessary constructive feedback and modifies performance as needed to meet job expectations.
• Expands job-related knowledge and skills to improve performance
• Ability to accurately and consistently evaluate and interpret diagnostic tests within scope of practice
• Maintains and utilizes supplies in a cost-effective manner
• Establishes and adjusts care plan based on patient acuity and changing clinical situations
• Recognizes emergency situations, initiates code procedures, and administers first aid as needed
• Practices appropriate infection prevention procedures to prevent cross-contamination to patients, caregivers, and staff
• Experience in providing speech-language pathology services to a broad patient population within the context of a multidisciplinary tertiary cancer center or oncology-specific practice.

Preferred:

• Clinical fellowship year/fellowship training in head-neck oncology or other oncology specialty
• Active Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) issued by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
• Board certification in swallowing and swallowing disorders from the American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (ABSSD) or documentation of advanced training in dysphagia management.
• Documented training in the evaluation and management of head-neck lymphedema, or actively certified lymphedema therapist (CLT)
• Experience with lecturing to various audience types, clinical research, professional conference oral/posters presentations, and/or publications in peer reviewed professional journals
• Experience in providing speech-language pathology services to a broad patient population within the context of a multidisciplinary tertiary cancer center or oncology-specific practice

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The annual base salary range for this position is from $95,888 to $143,811, and pay offered will be based on experience and qualifications.  

 

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center offers employees a comprehensive benefits package designed to enhance health, well-being, and financial security. Benefits include medical/vision, dental, flexible spending accounts, life, disability, retirement, family life support, employee assistance program, onsite health clinic, tuition reimbursement, paid vacation (12-22 days per year), paid sick leave (12-25 days per year), paid holidays (13 days per year), and paid parental leave (up to 4 weeks).

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, disability (physical or mental), marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, political ideology, or membership in any other legally protected class. We desire priority referrals of protected veterans. If due to a disability you need assistance/and or a reasonable accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to Human Resources at hrops@fredhutch.org or by calling 206-667-4700.