Job Summary

Responsible for an assigned group of patients, typically geographically related and accountable for the oversight and overall management of the speech therapy services in the home setting. The speech therapist provides direct patient care in accordance with an established plan of care to address the patient needs, individual goals and physician ordered services.

Essential Functions

• Responsible for the daily management of an assigned patient caseload, ensuring timely care and documentation to meet the patent needs/services as prescribed in the established plan of care and per MD orders.
• Collects data pertinent to the healthcare consumer’s health or the situation from patient assessments in the home setting, telephonic contacts and/or related EMR information available.
• Evaluates the ST patient to determine the rehabilitation needs, potential for achievement, and develops a plan of care in conjunction with the patient's physician.
• Establishes and implements plan of care, performs ST services certified by the patient's physician, and directs the care coordination of a multidisciplinary clinical team approach to promote health and safe outcomes.
• Maintains communication with multidisciplinary team providing updates and changes in schedules, patient data or needs, and physician orders.
• Incorporates short and long-term goals established in the plan of care into therapy, as evidenced by documentation in visit notes, monthly progress notes, and discharge summaries.
• Supports effective communication and collaboration with the physician oversight, and branch supervision to ensure timely feedback regarding patients’ condition and/or need for changes in the plan of care.
• Remains and performs ordered treatments, therapies, and/or procedures in accordance with The Licensure Act for Speech and Language Pathologists and Audiologists and Home Health Conditions of Participation, TJC, Medicare Guidelines, OASIS and agency policy and procedures.

Physical Requirements

• Work requires walking, standing, sitting, lifting, reaching, stooping, bending, pushing, and pulling. Must be able to lift and support the weight of 50 pounds in handling patients, medical equipment, and supplies. Ability to travel extensively during all seasons to assigned patients place of residence. Works in a variety of home environments and conditions. Must speak English in good, understandable terms. Intact sense of sight, hearing, smell, touch. Finger dexterity. Critical thinking and ability to concentrate. Must be able to respond quickly to changes in patient and/or unit conditions. Ability to work flexible schedule to meet patients' needs. Personal Protective Equipment such as gloves, goggles, gowns, and masks are sometimes required due to possible exposure to hazardous chemicals or blood and body fluids.

Education, Experience and Certifications

• Master's Degree in Speech Language Pathology as well as current state licensure required. BLS required per policy guidelines.