When you join the growing BILH team, you're not just taking a job, you’re making a difference in people’s lives.
The Lead Speech-Language Pathologist – NICU is responsible for providing specialized evaluation and treatment for neonates with feeding and swallowing disorders in the NICU. In partnership with the Manager of Voice, Speech, and Swallowing and the NICU leadership team, this role leads the development and implementation of clinical practice guidelines, advances evidence-based care, and oversees staff training and program development to support high-quality patient outcomes.
Job Description:
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Conduct comprehensive assessments and provide treatment for neonates with feeding and swallowing disorders in the NICU.
- Provide family-centered education and support regarding feeding readiness, safe swallowing practices, and discharge planning.
- Ensure safe and coordinated transitions from hospital to home or outpatient services, with a focus on engaging and empowering families of medically fragile infants.
- Develop and implement clinical practice guidelines for feeding and swallowing interventions in the NICU, in collaboration with the Manager of Voice, Speech, and Swallowing and the NICU leadership team.
- Collaborate with NICU leadership to integrate evidence-based practices into patient care protocols.
- Provide training, competency oversight, and clinical support to SLP staff involved in NICU care.
- Participate in interdisciplinary NICU rounds and contribute to patient care planning as needed.
- Educate nursing staff and other healthcare professionals on neonatal feeding and swallowing best practices.
- Partner with department leadership to advocate for program resources and enhancements to support NICU care.
- Monitor and evaluate program outcomes; implement quality improvement initiatives as appropriate.
- Maintain clinical documentation, billing, and data tracking in accordance with hospital and department standards.
- Participate in department meetings, interdisciplinary committees, and continuing education activities.
- Maintain high standard of continuing education in evidence-based NICU practice.
Qualifications
Required:
- Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from an accredited program.
- Current licensure as a Speech-Language Pathologist in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
- Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
- Minimum of 5 years of clinical practice, with at least 2 years of direct NICU experience.
- Demonstrated expertise in neonatal feeding and swallowing disorders.
Preferred:
- Experience developing clinical practice guidelines or protocols.
- Prior leadership or program coordination experience in a healthcare setting.
- Specialized training or certification in neonatal feeding and swallowing preferred.
Skills and Competencies
- Advanced clinical skills in neonatal dysphagia evaluation and treatment.
- Strong interdisciplinary collaboration and communication skills.
- Ability to develop and deliver staff education and training.
- Proficient in critical thinking, problem-solving, and clinical decision-making.
- Commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous quality improvement.
- Ability to work independently while effectively collaborating with teams.
Pay Range:
$47.38 – $66.34
The pay range listed for this position is the base hourly wage range the organization reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for this position at this time. Actual compensation is determined based on several factors, that may include seniority, education, training, relevant experience, relevant certifications, geography of work location, job responsibilities, or other applicable factors permissible by law. Compensation may exceed the base hourly rate depending on shift differentials, call pay, premium pay, overtime pay, and other additional pay practices, as applicable to the position and in accordance with the law.
