Jobs › HSHS

Speech Language Pathologist - Inpatient/Acute Care

HSHS · Springfield, IL · $34.21–$51.31 an hour · Full time

Posted Jul 20, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

Apply at HSHS

Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a cognitive-communication evaluation you did in acute care and how it shaped discharge planning.

What they are checking: Whether they connect cognitive findings to safety and discharge decisions, not just test scores.

How do you approach a patient with aphasia who is frustrated they can't communicate?

What they are checking: Whether they can set up practical communication tools and show patience with an upset patient.

Tell me about a time you supervised a student or taught a colleague something new.

What they are checking: Whether they can serve as an educator, which the posting includes in the role.

What would you do

A patient on a modified diet is sneaking regular food, and the family is bringing it in. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they can educate, respect autonomy and document informed choice without scolding.

You have more consults than you can see today. How do you prioritize?

What they are checking: Whether they triage NPO patients and swallow evals first so people aren't left without nutrition.

A physician wants to advance a diet before you think the patient is ready. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can advocate with evidence while respecting the physician's role.

About the work

Walk me through your clinical swallow evaluation on a patient who just had a stroke.

What they are checking: Whether they run a thorough bedside exam and know its limits before recommending a diet.

How do you decide when a patient needs a modified barium swallow or FEES instead of a bedside exam?

What they are checking: Whether they recognize silent aspiration risk and use instrumental testing appropriately.

How do you explain IDDSI diet levels to nursing staff so the orders are followed correctly?

What they are checking: Whether they can teach other disciplines, since diet errors on the floor lead to aspiration.

How have you worked with patients on trach or vent, including speaking valves?

What they are checking: Whether they have experience with complex acute patients that a regional hospital will see.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at HSHS from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by HSHS.

Pay Range: $34.21 - $51.31 A successful candidate's actual pay rate will be based on several factors including relevant experience, skills, training, certifications and education. HSHS St. John's Hospital is seeking a Speech Language Pathologist to join the Inpatient/Acute Care Speech Therapy team. Ideal candidates will be prepared to evaluate all assigned patients and develops, implement, and execute on treatment plan as outlined by plan of care. Responsible for delegation and direction of all discipline-specific therapy services. Serve as an educator for patients, families, students, co-workers and self-professional advancement. Perform other professional duties associated with the care of patient, development of therapy program services, and engagement and development of interdisciplinary teams. Position Specifics: o Department: Rehabilitation - Inpatient/Acute Care o Core Function: Rehab/Therapy/Sleep o Schedule: Full time - Days, 7:30am-3:30pm or 8am-4:30pm with weekend and holiday rotation o Facility: St. John’s Hospital o Location: Springfield, IL o Sign on Bonus: $25,000 o Compensation aligned with your experience *open to those interested in part time as well! For more questions regarding this position, please contact Lauren Aman at lauren.aman@hshs.org. Education Qualifications • Graduate (e.g., master’s or doctorate) from an accredited program which meets the licensure requirements in the state of practice (Required). Experience Qualifications • Years of Experience (0+) Certifications, Licenses and Registrations • Current state licensure or eligibility for state licensure as a Speech Language Pathologist required. • Certified BLS or completion in the first 90 days of employment required. Job Description Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40 Throughout communities in Illinois and Wisconsin, 13 hospitals, numerous community-based health centers and clinics, our 13,000+ colleagues have built a culture based on our solid core values of respect, care, competence, and joy. These are the ideals we believe in, work by, and live each day. Built upon more than 145 years of service to the communities we serve, we now look to the future and our place in it as a health care system that strives to continually improve processes, procedures, and outcomes with the latest and most advanced technologies and treatments. Regardless of how far our passion for excellence carries us, our focus will always remain on the most important person in our entire organization: The patient. Benefits: HSHS provides a benefits package designed to support the overall well-being of our colleagues including their physical, emotional, financial, spiritual, and work health. Colleagues budgeted to work at least 32 hours per pay period are eligible for HSHS benefits. • Comprehensive and affordable health coverage includes medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage for full-time and part-time colleagues. • Paid Time Off (PTO) combines vacation, sick, and personal days into one balance to allow you the flexibility to use your time off as you need. • Retirement benefits including HSHS contributions. • Education Assistance benefits include up to $5,250 of educational assistance each calendar year and tuition discounts to select colleges with no waiting period. • Adoption Assistance provides financial support up to $7,500 for colleagues growing their families through adoption to reimburse application and legal fees, transportation, and more! • Other benefits include: Wellness program with incentives, employer-paid life insurance and short-term and long-term disability coverage, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance program, ID theft coverage, colleague rewards and recognition program, discount program, and more! Benefits HSHS and affiliates is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). HSHS is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace dedicated to pursuing and hiring a diverse workforce. Notice Regarding Potential Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Hiring Process Hospital Sisters may use automated tools, including artificial intelligence or machine-learning technologies, to assist with certain administrative aspects of the recruitment process. These tools may help our recruiting team organize applications, search for resumes, identify qualifications reflected in application materials, and facilitate communications or scheduling with applicants. Information used by these tools may include materials you provide during the application process, such as your resume, work history, education, qualifications, and responses to application questions. These tools are used only to support our recruiting process. Hiring decisions are made by HSHS personnel, and automated tools do not make employment decisions on behalf of HSHS. Applicants who have questions about this notice or who require a reasonable accommodation or alternative evaluation method may contact HSHS Human Resources at Contact@hshs.org

Apply at HSHS

More speech language pathologist inpatient acute roles