Speech Therapist

The Speech-Therapist is responsible for ensuring that quality Speech Language services and care are coordinated, managed, and delivered according to practice standards, state and federal guidelines, and corporate policies and procedures. Services and care are expected to be delivered in a cost-effective and responsible manner, by Speech Therapists demonstrating a commitment to optimum patient outcomes.

Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities:

1. Participates in OASIS assessments and data collection according to policy, determined by each patient’s individual circumstances.
2. Performs examinations and evaluations of patients referred through accepted procedures:
   1. Upon receipt of referral, schedules and completes speech-language evaluations according to acceptable time frames.
   2. Identifies speech-language related impairments and problems and establishes a plan of care for each patient based on consultation and approval from the authorizing physician, current practice standards, and the patient’s rehabilitation potential and prognosis (or needs for skilled maintenance services).
   3. Outlines a complete, individualized plan of care for each patient, including Orders/Interventions and Goals (short- and long-term, with specific time frames for each).
3. Carries out speech-language plans of care, utilizing skilled techniques and treatment interventions for rehabilitation or maintenance according to each patient’s prescribed plan of care.
4. Instructs patients, family/caregivers, and other organization health care team members in patient’s treatment regimen and home program as indicated.
5. Consults with each patient’s authorizing physician and other organization personnel to ensure that care is well-coordinated and contributes to the comprehensive plan of care as prescribed.
6. Prepares and submits documentation that is consistent with regulations and practice standards, and per organization policy, including required time frames.
7. Identifies patient and family/caregiver needs for other services and makes appropriate referrals as indicated.
8. Participates in scheduled and called care team conferences, in-services, and other required meetings to ensure coordinated patient care and knowledge of current organization information.
9. Demonstrates and maintains clinical competency in speech-language pathology theory and practice.

1. Participates in supervisory functions of the home health aide in accordance with each patient’s plan of care, state and federal guidelines, and organization policy and procedure.

1. May serve as the primary supervisor for a home health aide when the patient is not receiving skilled nursing care, if indicated by the comprehensive plan of care. K. Participates in Performance Improvement activities and initiatives as assigned.

Position Qualifications:

1. Possesses a degree in Speech-Language Pathology, including requirements for practicum hours, from an approved Master’s or Doctoral program in Speech-Language Pathology, and that meets all requirements according to state and federal regulations for licensure and professional qualifications.
2. Possesses an active, unencumbered certification and/or licensure from each state in which he/she will practice.
3. Possesses and maintains current CPR certification by Organization-approved provider.
4. Preferred: Meets the education and experience requirements for a Certificate of Clinical Competence, granted by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
5. Preferred: Has one year of clinical practice experience as a Speech Therapist

Continuing Education Requirements: Organization personnel are expected to comply with mandatory

continuing education and development activities as outlined in policy. All personnel must participate in minimal mandatory educational activities and programs, including but not limited to: Corporate Compliance and OSHA/Infection Control. Personnel are expected to accept personal responsibility for educational activities to maintain and enhance job-related skills and abilities. Organization personnel are expected to participate in additional appropriate continuing education as requested and/or required by their immediate supervisor. Licensed professionals are expected to be familiar with and meet all competency and educational requirements as outlined in state regulations for each state in which they hold a license.

Environmental and Working Conditions

Environmental Conditions: May be exposed to extremes of heat and cold in all weather conditions.

Working Conditions: May be exposed to infections and contagious diseases. Contact with patients under wide variety of circumstances. May be exposed or occasionally exposed to patient elements. Subject to varying and unpredictable situations. Handles emergency or crisis situations. OSHA exposure category:

• Category I — Position includes tasks that involve exposure to blood, body fluids, tissues.

Required Personal Protective Equipment: as required by working conditions.