DUTIES

Provide skilled speech pathology service, on an intermittent basis, to patients, in their homes, in accordance with the physician's orders.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Evaluate the patient's level of functioning and recommend mechanisms to enhance the patient's hearing ability.

Provide initial, and ongoing, comprehensive assessments of the patient’s needs, including Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) assessments.

Establish a Speech Therapy treatment plan, in consultation with the physician, and revise it, with the approval of the physician, as necessary.

Assist in development, and implementation, of the interdisciplinary patient care plan, as it pertains to Speech Therapy.

Ensure that the physician's orders are appropriate and discuss necessary changes.

Communicate with other team members and, when appropriate, instruct them in speech pathology techniques that they may use while working with the patient.

Teach, supervise, and counsel the family, and patient, in the total Speech Therapy program and other related problems of the patient, at home.

Evaluate the patient, his/her significant other(s), and the home situation to determine what instruction will be required, what assistance will be available for the family in caring for the patient, and what other agency and community services will be required.

Make arrangements for out-patient services for procedures, which cannot be given in the home.

Record, on a timely basis, all evaluation data, treatments, and patient's response to therapy intervention.

Supervise the Home Health, per Agency policy, when Speech Therapy is the only professional discipline involved in the patient's care.

Record, and report to the physician, the patient's reaction to treatment and /or any changes in the patient's condition.

Participate in the development of periodic revision of the physician's plan of treatment, keeping him/her informed of the patient's status and obtaining additional orders, if necessary.

Communicate with the physician, at least every 30 days, or whenever changes occur regarding the patient’s status and obtains additional orders, if necessary.

Evaluate the effectiveness of speech pathology intervention and updates, the patient care plan, as needed.

Write clinical/progress notes, on the date of the visit, and incorporate same in the patient's record, within 48 hours.

Assume responsibility for self-development by continually striving to improve his/her health care knowledge through educational programs, attendance at workshops and conferences, active participation in professional and related organization meetings, and individual research and reading.

Confirm, on a weekly basis, the scheduling of visits, with the Clinical Manager in order to coordinate the patient’s visit schedule.

Participate in Agency activities, case conferences, and meetings, when appropriate.

Participate with staff, patients, and physicians, in discharge planning activities, and complete a Speech Therapy Discharge Summary.

ASSIST IN AGENCY ADMISSION PROCESS

Obtain a medical history, particularly as it relates to the present condition.

Evaluate the patient, and the home situation, to determine what instruction and assistance will be available from the family in caring for the patient, and what other Agency, and community services, will be required.

Ensure that the physician’s orders are appropriate and discuss necessary changes.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. A person who has a master’s or doctoral degree in speech-language pathology, and who meets either of the following:

1. Is licensed, as a speech-language pathologist, by the state in which the individual furnishes such services; or

1. • In the case of an individual who furnishes services in a state, which does not license speech-language pathologist:

1. Preferably a member of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association.

1. Licensed or registered in the state of Florida

1. Must have at least one year of institutional experience.

1. Must have a criminal background check.

1. Must have current CPR certification. Online certification is not accepted.

JOB CONDITIONS

The ability to drive and the ability to access patients’ homes, which may not be routinely wheelchair accessible are required.

Hearing, eyesight, and physical dexterity must be sufficient to perform a physical assessment of the patient's condition and to perform patient care.

On occasion, may be required to bend, stoop, reach, and move patient weight up to 250 pounds; lift and/or carry up to 30 pounds.

Must be able to effectively communicate in English.