Major Responsibilities:

• Conducts a speech and language evaluation of each patient and establishes a plan of care and treatment goals. Evaluates outcomes within an appropriate timeframe.
• Evaluates and treats patients with various speech, language, voice and swallowing disorders under the prescription of a physician. Conducts a speech and language evaluation of each patient and establishes a plan of care and treatment goals.
• Communicates with physicians to confirm and update patient's plan of treatment and provides physician with a status report on a regular basis. Communicates problems to physicians and management and clearly states plans, actions and goals so changes are reflected as they occur.
• Maintains and updates accurate clinical and patient records according to state and federal guidelines.
• Manages assigned caseload, including scheduling and informing site leadership of coverage needs and ability to promote continuing coordination of services. Manages the patient's medical condition including medications. Acts as a patient advocate to insure optimal outcomes.
• Provides on-going assessment of patient response to treatments, and teaches and applies interventions as appropriate. Updates and revises plan of care as indicated.
• Discusses caseload issues and changes in case census with management. Communicates problems to physicians and management, and clearly states plans, actions and goals so that changes are reflected as they occur.
• Teaches appropriate therapy procedures and supportive activities to patient's and caregivers and develops plan for obtaining adaptive devices as needed.
• Plans for and completes patient discharge including providing written home programs, patient/family teaching, referral for community services and ordering equipment.
• Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures. Age-specific information is developed further in the departmental job standards.

Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required:

• Speech-Language Pathology license issued by the state of Wisconsin, and
• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providerscertification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) needs to be obtained within 6 months unless department leader has determined it is not required, and
• Speech-Language Pathology Certification of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) issued by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), and
• A valid drivers license issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles, or
• Driver license issued by the state of Illinois.

Education Required:

• Master's Degree in Speech Pathology.

Experience Required:

• Typically requires 3 years of experience in speech therapy within acute hospital or home health care setting.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in clinical skills with the ability to work independently and make sound judgments.
• Intermediate computer skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organization, decision-making, and problem solving skills.
• Must possess and provide proof of a valid Driver License and a registered, functional car with adequate insurance coverage.
• Certification Addendum
• Team members will maintain annual educational requirements for hospital based certifications (e.g.DNV, CARF or others).

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Must be able to obtain transportation to attend to the daily schedule of home visits and other Agency business in a timely manner.
• Must be capable of the manual dexterity required to use and operate a variety of medical equipment and supplies, writing implements and office equipment.
• Must have the physical agility to move about in confined spaces, including bending, twisting, kneeling, squatting and occasionally reaching one or both arm overhead.
• Must be able to work safely with people of various sizes and weight with diverse and complex medical conditions and physical limitations. Must be able to move, lift and support up to 50 pounds.
• Must be able to sit, stand, walk and climb stairs for limited to prolonged periods of time to complete required paperwork, gain entry to patient's residences, travel to and from assigned visits and attend to a variety of work related activities.
• Must have the physical stamina to attend to patient/client care requirements over a period of three or more hours without complete rest.
• Must be able to speak clearly and hear to communicate with people in person or over the telephone.
• Must have the ability to visually identify people, objects and files from a distance of three feet.
• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.