SPEECH PATHOLOGIST
Company : Covenant Health
Location : Oak Ridge, TN, 37830
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 4 January 2026
Overview
Pediatric Speech Pathologist
Full Time, 80 Hours Per Pay period, Day Shift
With more than 30 specialties from Cardiology and Neurosurgery to Orthopedics and Vascular care, Methodist Medical Center was one of the first hospitals in East Tennessee to offer cutting-edge treatments and technologies that benefit people with life-threatening aneurysms, severely damaged knee, hip and shoulder joints, sudden heart failure, and non-healing wounds.
- 283 licensed beds
- 25 ICU beds
- 12 intermediate care beds
- 38 emergency suites
- 2 cath labs
- 8 LDRP suites
- Over 250 active and courtesy physicians
- Over 800 employees
Position Summary:
Under general supervision, plans, evaluates, and implements treatment programs for speech therapy patients. Modifies treatment plans in accordance with patient progress.
Recruiter: Rachel Dudek-Fleming || apply@covhlth.com
Responsibilities
- Performs patient evaluations (initial, progress, and discharge evaluations), establishes treatment plans, makes recommendations, and sets goals in accordance with patient needs and evidence based practice.
- Involves patient and family in treatment, education, and goal setting. Coordinates with other medical personnel regarding patient’s progress, needs, and discharge planning.
- Demonstrates knowledge and competency including providing for age-specific needs of the population served.
- Serves as a resource person for support staff and other health system staff.
- Assists with training, orientation, and supervision of support staff.
- Assumes responsibility for the educational development of assigned students.
- Maintains and updates patient documentation in accordance with professional, departmental, organizational, and payer guidelines and timeframes. Maintains established targets for compliance with chart audits.
- Meets established target for quality/outcome measures, service/patient satisfaction measures, financial/productivity measures, and growth/patients-per-day measures.
- Demonstrates leadership by including, but not limited to, supervising support staff, participating in professional organizations/meetings (ASHA/TAASLP), and volunteering for Covenant Health activities such as the marathon, golf tournament, sports physicals, employee education, etc.
- Completes partnering activities per established targets per month for physician office visits, community lectures/volunteering, Case Manager visits/marketing, and providing in-services.
- Remains mentally alert and maintains concentration with attention to detail for prolonged periods, at times under stress. Maintains adaptability, flexibility, initiative, persistence, and efficiency of time management and action.
- Does not pose a direct threat to health or safety of self or others. Provides safe, efficient, and competent care to population assigned. Meets MMC Environment of Care Standards.
- Follows policies, procedures, and safety standards. Completes required education assignments annually. Works toward achieving goals and objectives, and participates in quality improvement initiatives as requested.
- Perform other related duties as assigned or requested.
Qualifications
Minimum Education:
None specified; however, must be sufficient to meet the standards for achievement of the below indicated license and/or certification as required by the issuing authority.
Minimum Experience:
None. Feeding Therapy Focus is a plus.
Licensure Requirement:
Must have and maintain Tennessee State Speech Pathology License or provisional license as a Speech Pathologist Clinical Fellow. CPR required.
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Frequently asked questions
Oak Ridge's healthcare sector is growing steadily, with a moderate demand for speech pathologists. Candidates with pediatric experience or Tennessee licensure tend to stand out, as local providers prioritize professionals familiar with state regulations and community health needs.
While the Tennessee state speech pathology license is mandatory, additional credentials like CPR certification and specialized training in pediatric feeding therapy can enhance job prospects in regional hospitals, including Covenant Health and Methodist Medical Center.
Working with pediatric patients requires adapting techniques to each child's developmental level, managing family involvement, and coordinating with multidisciplinary teams. Speech pathologists at Covenant Health often balance clinical evaluations with creating engaging, evidence-based therapy plans.
Career growth often starts with clinical fellowships or entry-level roles, advancing to specialized pediatric or adult therapy, supervisory positions, and involvement in professional organizations. Opportunities at Covenant Health include leadership roles and participation in community outreach programs.
Covenant Health emphasizes community engagement and continuous education, offering Speech Pathologists chances to lead volunteer initiatives like health marathons and employee training. Their integration with diverse specialties allows clinicians to broaden skills beyond traditional therapy.
The organization encourages ongoing education through workshops, in-service training, and participation in professional bodies like ASHA. They provide resources for licensure renewal and foster a collaborative environment that nurtures clinical and leadership skills.
Speech Pathologists in Oak Ridge typically earn between $65,000 and $85,000 annually, depending on experience and specialized certifications. Positions at Covenant Health may offer competitive compensation packages aligned with regional healthcare standards.
Expertise in pediatric speech therapy, feeding therapy, and evidence-based treatment planning are highly valued. Additionally, proficiency in interdisciplinary collaboration and patient-family communication enhances effectiveness in the Oak Ridge clinical environment.
Oak Ridge's moderate cost of living and community-focused culture support a balanced lifestyle. Covenant Health's day shift schedules and structured pay periods help Speech Pathologists maintain consistent hours and participate in local events without excessive overtime.
Covenant Health offers training in advanced feeding therapy techniques, age-specific communication disorders, and interdisciplinary case management. This equips Speech Pathologists with tools to address complex pediatric speech and swallowing challenges effectively.