Speech Therapist

 

Speech Therapist

Performs evaluations and develops effective patient treatment plans to restore, maintain or prevent decline of patient function, by planning and administering medically prescribed therapy treatments in accordance with federal, state and professional standards governing the treatment location.

 

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:


· Meets the patient’s goals and needs and provides quality care by assessing and interpreting evaluations and test results; determining treatment plans in consultation with physicians, and by prescription. Helps patients accomplish treatment plan and secures necessary
supplies and adaptive equipment for patients to facilitate independence
· Administers therapy statements according to a treatment plan approved by the attending physician. Directs treatments given by aides and assistants. Complies with company protocol for patient rounding
· Evaluates effects of therapy treatments by observing, noting and evaluating patient’s progress; providing medically necessary treatment plan and modifications
· Completes discharge planning by consulting with physicians, nurses, social workers and other health care workers; Participates in the Q & A process for rehab related issues. Manage the appropriate therapy minutes per RUGS category for patients. Assures continuation of
therapeutic plan following discharge by designing patient specific maintenance programs; instructing patients, families and/or caregivers in follow-up maintenance programs; recommending and/or providing assistive equipment; recommending outpatient or home health follow-up programs. Accuracy in completion of MDS or OASIS items per workflow model
· Documents patient care services by charting in patient and department records according to accepted regulatory, corporate and professional guidelines. Records daily treatment charges per corporate procedures. Documentation will be completed using a company
furnished hand held electronic device (i.e. Ipad).
· Maintains patient confidence and protects treatment location operations by keeping information confidential
· Protects patients and employees by adhering to treatment location infection control policies and protocols. Maintains safe and clean working environment by complying with treatment location and department procedures, rules and regulations. Complies with company
protocol for denial management. Ensure appropriate daily billing of services
· Ensures operation of equipment by complying with company procedures, completing preventive maintenance requirements; following manufacturer’s instructions; troubleshooting malfunctions; calling for repairs
· Secures equipment, adaptive devices and supplies
· Provides community based services such as health and wellness activities as required.

Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed. Complies with company requirements on the completion of outcome measures. Willingness to provide
services in multiple treatment locations as determined by patient need. Maintain specified efficiency level as determined by supervisor.


CODE OF CONDUCT:

Must adhere to the Company’s Code of Conduct and Business Ethics policy including documentation and reporting responsibilities


QUALIFICATIONS:
· Graduate from Speech-Language Pathology program
· Current license as a Speech-Language Pathologist in the state of practice
· Must meet Clinical Competency requirements
· Current CPR certification, preferred
· Ability to travel as needed to perform job
· Capable of maintaining regular attendance

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES & BEHAVIORS:
· Able to communicate in English, both verbally and in writing
· Must possess computer skills of the types and at a level necessary to accomplish the job
· Possess problem-solving skills of the type and at a level necessary to accomplish the job
· Must be able to maintain confidentiality regarding patient, employee and company proprietary information
· Must have the ability to relate professionally and positively and work cooperatively with patients, families, and other employees at all
levels


PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:
Mobility, standing, pushing, pulling, reaching, bending, walking, heavy lifting, fine hand coordination, ability to hear, ability to read and write, ability to detect odors, and ability to remain calm under stress.
· Hearing (corrected) adequate for oral/aural communication with patients, staff, family, visitors, etc.
· Vision (corrected) adequate for reading.
· Intelligible speech and normal language / cognitive skills.
· Must be able to push patients in a wheelchair or stretchers.*
· Lifting of patients*, equipment or supplies will be required up to 20 pounds frequently, up to 50 pounds occasionally and up to 100 pounds rarely.
· Sitting, standing, and walking required throughout the day.
· Job duties sometimes require climbing stairs, kneeling, twisting, bending; on occasion, crouching, crawling and reaching overhead.
· Must be able to transfer patients.*
· Must be able to demonstrate any appropriate exercise and activities to patients / caregivers.
· Work in a fast-paced clinical environment.
· Weekend and holiday work may be required.
· Work environment is primarily indoors but occasionally outdoors.


* Several task and job duties involve a risk of exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM).


The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people who are assigned this job
classification. They are not to be construed as an all inclusive list of all duties, skills and responsibilities of people so assigned.