Position: Speech Therapist

Reports to: Clinical Supervisor/Case Manager

Position Summary

Provides services for home care clients who have speech and language problems. Services are provided under the direction of the attending physician with the participation of the family and other members of the interdisciplinary team, as indicated. 

Qualifications 

• Meets the education and experience requirements for Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in speech pathology or audiology granted by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, or has completed the educational requirements for certification and is in the process of accumulating the supervised experience required for certification. 
• Is certified to practice Speech-Language Pathology.
• Has a minimum of one(1) year's experience in a health care facility or equivalent experience.
• Current CPR certification, as applicable.
• Demonstrates strong verbal and written communication skills with good interpersonal skills.
• Licensed driver with automobile insured in accordance with state/Agency requirements. 

Essential Functions/Areas of Accountability

1. Performs speech therapy assessments, diagnostic tests, skilled treatments and ongoing evaluation for clients who are receiving services under a medically approved Plan of Care.
   1. Completes comprehensive assessments including OASIS data set within forty-eight(48) hours of referral for speech therapy services unless other arrangements are made. 
   2. Develops a speech therapy plan that identifies functional speech defects or swallowing difficulty and is directed toward improving client function.
   3. Reviews and updates the care plan based on client need and Agency requirements.
   4. Documents all findings, plans, interventions, and client progress (outcomes) in the clinical record, and submits documentation to the Agency per guidelines.
   5. Communicates plans and changes to the physician and to the designated nursing staff through the care plan, written progress note, and participation in care conference. 
   6. Reports changes in client condition or service plan to the Agency supervisor the date changes are noted/made.
2. Implements teaching appropriate to the client's needs and abilities, and evaluates the effectiveness of the plan.
3. Develops care plan guidelines for other members of the team to support the client goals. 
4. Refers to other disciplines as indicated and documents accordingly. 
5. Supervises home health aides when providing services related to the speech language therapy care plan.
6. Participates in interdisciplinary activities per Agency guidelines. 
   1. Attends client care conferences as needed to provide information to other members of the team.
   2. Promotes referrals to other disciplines and documents this information in the record.
   3. Participates in the Agency quality improvement activities as appropriate. Utilizes outcome reports as basis for improvement.
   4. Participates in the ongoing clinical record review committee. 
7. Performs job in compliance with Agency policies and procedures and professional and community standards.
   1. Accepts responsibility in accordance with role of the Speech/Language Therapist.
   2. Provides services in accordance with applicable state, federal, CHAP, and JCAHO standards. 
   3. Participates in continuing education programs related to area of practice.
8. Promotes personal safety and a safe environment for clients and coworkers.
   1. Demonstrates knowledge of safety and infection control practices by compliance with Agency policies and procedures. 
   2.  Recognizes and reports potentially unsafe situations.
   3. Demonstrates safe practice in the use of equipment.
   4. Assesses environment and initiates actions to prevent accidents and promote safety.
9. Maintains confidentiality in all aspects of the job.
   1. Protects the confidentiality of information in the client clinical record and releases this information only in accordance with Agency policy and professional standards.
   2. Does not discuss client r staff identifies, conditions, or circumstances in public or with others who are not professionally involved with the situation/person.
   3. Protects written confidential documents in a manner that prevents unauthorized access.
10. Performs other related duties and responsibilities as deemed necessary.