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 wards of the state, 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

SUMMARY:  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 Pathologies for an assigned caseload with an emphasis on providing comprehensive care.  They are responsible for 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.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Patient care                                                                  60%

Indirect patient care services                                         30%

Administrative and Educational Activities                      10%

1. Patient Care (time spent in billable patient care activities) – 60%
   • 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 family’s needs and comprehension

1. Indirect patient care services -30%
   • 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 role model level in regard to Team Leader and Team member
   • Advocates for patients as needed, goes above and beyond
   • Completes letters of medical need
   • Develops and monitors care plans

1. Administrative and Educational Activities – 10%
   • 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

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS:

Performs other duties as assigned - Frequent.

Works with colleagues and clients from cultural backgrounds different from one’s own - Frequent

Ordering materials and inventory of materials – Frequent

Attendance at Department and Section Meetings – Regularly scheduled

Assists in training and mentoring new staff - Infrequent

Supervision of CFY (new grad SLP) - Infrequent

Education:                                            Master's degree in Speech and Hearing Science or equivalent required

Related Work Experience:                     Graduate clinical practicum required; pediatric practicum experience and hospital experience preferred

Licensure/Certification:                         Current Illinois licensure (or license pending); ASHA CCC (or eligibility as CFY); early intervention credential preferred, eligibility for EI evaluation credential

Specialized Knowledge and Skills:         Communicates effectively; reflects the values of La Rabida in all interactions; demonstrates accountability, problem solving and leadership skills; Prefer bi-lingual skills (Spanish and English)

CPR required:                                               Effective 7/1/2026 New hires will obtain RQI BLS within 30 days of hire or prior to direct patient care and will maintain certification quarterly. 

PALS required:                                                           New hires will obtain RQI PALS within 6 months of hire and will maintain certification quarterly.

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.