Speech and Language Pathologist

JOB DESCRIPTION

Speech Language Pathologist

The Center for Elders’ Independence is a PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the elderly) organization that uses an interdisciplinary team approach to care planning and care implementation for the purpose of providing high quality, affordable, integrated health care services to the elderly, including an Adult Day Health Center, and promoting autonomy, quality of life and the ability of individuals to live in their communities.

The Position: Under the supervision of the Rehabilitation Supervisor, the Speech Language Pathologist provides speech-language, dysphagia, and cognitive evaluations and interventions for Participants in conjunction with the total plan of care.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Collaborates with the primary care provider team and the interdisciplinary team in evaluating the participant's level of communication skills, swallow function, cognition, and potential for rehabilitation or restoration.
• In conjunction with the interdisciplinary team, assists in establishing measurable functional goals and treatment plans to promote and maintain maximum level of swallowing, speech-language, and/or cognitive function.
• Administers appropriate treatment that may address auditory comprehension, speech, language, cognition or swallowing impairment in accordance with the total plan of care.
• Documents thoroughly, accurately, and timely, and in accordance with Speech Therapy practice standards and CEI policy.
• Observes; records and reports regularly to the Occupational Therapist and other members of the interdisciplinary team on the Participant’s response to Speech Therapy and any changes in the Participants condition
• Instructs and trains family members, other caregivers and CEI staff in the implementation of the Participant’s individual plan of care as related to speech, language, or dysphagia.
• Provides in service training to CEI team members as requested.
• Attends continuing education and actively participates in meetings and trainings as required. Maintains required certifications.
• Maintains the department in a clean and orderly manner. Keeps equipment in good working condition.
• Maintains the confidentiality of all company procedures, results, and information about participants, clients or families regardless of setting.
• Handles potentially infectious specimens with appropriate biohazard precautions, and practices Standard precautions.
• Maintains a courteous, helpful and professional attitude on the job. Displays a willingness and ability to be responsive to all customer groups.
• Maintains safe working environment. Follows CEI’s Safety Policies and Procedures.
• Performs other duties as required or requested in a positive and helpful manner.
• QUALIFICATIONS:
• Possession of a minimum of a Master’s degree in Speech Pathology.
• Currently licensed as a Speech-Language Pathologist by the California Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board and Maintains Certificate of Clinical Competency (CCC) from American Speech Hearing Language and Audiology (ASHA) organization
• Required, one (1) year of experience working with the frail or elderly population.
• Current CPR and First Aid certification on file.
• A valid California driver’s license, current vehicle insurance, and access to a reliable vehicle is required.
• Ability to travel to multiple work sites and participants’ residences, required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Maintains Certificate of Clinical Competency (CCC) from American Speech Hearing Language and Audiology (ASHA) organization

• Frequent sitting, computer work, neck rotation
• Occasional standing, walking, kneeling, squatting, climbing, balancing, pushing/pulling, reaching, gripping, pinching
• Occasional lifting up to 10 lbs to/from floor, waist, shoulder, overhead; carrying at waist height
• Occasional lifting 11 to 50 lb  at waist height
• May encounter walking on uneven ground and have exposure to biohazard

The above job description is intended to communicate the general function of the mentioned position and by no means shall be considered an exhaustive or complete outline of the specific tasks and functions that will be required.  CEI reserves the right to change job descriptions, site assignments, and or work hours as required by the needs of the program.  All employees are expected to perform their duties within their ability as required by the job and/or as requested by management.