The Speech Therapist evaluates and treats patients, communicates with families, physicians and other health care members and maintains documentation of services in the medical record.

Work Schedule

Flexible schedule to cover all shifts and weekend activities with on-call participation.

Primary Duties

1. Patient Care:
   1. Practices speech therapy consistent with the American Speech Therapy Association Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
   2. Maintains a patient treatment schedule consistent with the needs of the facility.
   3. Confers with the persons most closely associated with the management of the patient and keeps them informed of any additional patient needs, treatment modification and/or progress.
   4. Responsible for the preparation and submission of facility reports, ensuring confidentiality of all records including:

• Evaluation reports/summaries;
• Discharge reports/summaries;
• Progress reports to referring physicians and agencies;
• Current progress notes on all patients within their area;
• Special reports as requested by the director and/or supervisor;
• Daily attendance records and summaries of same.

1. Ensures all facility routines and procedures are carried out as outlined.
2. Keeps abreast of new techniques and trends in the field of speech therapy.
3. Maintains good public relations with all community sources.
4. Delegates portions of the above-listed duties to facility personnel, with approval of the supervisor and/or director and in line with the best use of time and experience of such personnel.
5. Keeps current on and adheres to policies and procedures as enumerated in the Policy and Procedures Manual of the facility.
6. Interprets and carries out the prescription of the physician.
7. Maintains confidentiality.
8. Ensures economic use of time, equipment and supplies; ensures safety and welfare of patients and other employees.
9. Must be able to apply the theory of speech therapy; have the ability and competency to operate the equipment used in the position; perform technical procedures; and speak intelligently and in a professional manner.

1. Staff/Unit Responsibilities:

1. Maintains appropriate resources through flexible staffing.
2. Performs appropriate disciplinary action when requested.
3. Investigates and resolves variances.
4. Assists with recruiting and interviewing of competent staff.
5. Assists staff in problem solving work issues and in adapting to the patient-focused care environment.
6. Assists in the training of staff on hospital electronic health record and other computer applications.
7. Assists in the orientation, evaluation and retention of speech therapy staff.
8. Evaluates staff competencies and intervenes to maintain quality.
9. Responsible for communication of pertinent information to staff on daily basis.
10. Recommends policy changes, plans call schedule for speech therapy and orients new contractors.

     

     

• Education: Graduate of an accredited college or university with a Bachelor degree in Speech Therapy required. Master degree in Speech Therapy preferred.
• Licensure/Certification: State Licensure or Registration required.
• Experience/Training: Minimum of 2 years experience as a speech therapist preferred.
• Interpersonal Skills: Must be able to interact and communicate with all levels of staff, physicians, patients and families in an effective manner, exhibiting tact, enthusiasm and patience.
• Essential Physical Requirements: Requires full range of body motion including handling and lifting, manual and finger dexterity, and eye-hand coordination. Able to stand and walk for long periods of time. Able to lift/push/pull patients to transport and/or reposition. Able to lift and carry equipment and supplies of 25 pounds or more. Corrected vision and hearing in the normal range.
• Essential Cognitive Abilities: Requires good communication and organizational skills. Requires reasoning ability and good independent judgment.
• Age-Specific Criteria: Must demonstrate and maintain current knowledge and skills necessary to provide care/services to the age of the patients served in the hospital facility. Must also possess the ability to assess data and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patients requirements relative to their specific needs.
• Other: Understands the mission and vision of the hospital. Operates within the concept of patient focused care. Evolves into an effective team member. Must adhere to dress code; good grooming and personal hygiene habits; and strict adherence to attendance policies. Maintains knowledge of and conforms to hospital policies and procedures. Employee must maintain satisfactory level of knowledge and skill in Age-Specific Competencies for the appropriate patient population.

Key Relationships

1. Maintains positive relationships with internal customers. Is effective in interacting with others and problem-solving.
2. Maintains positive relationships with external customers. Is effective in interacting with others and problem-solving.
3. Proactive in meeting customers needs. Responds promptly to customer needs or requests.
4. Keeps Director informed of problems, recommends solutions.
5. Participates in education/development of peers and other staff.

Initiative

1. Develops specific work plans and due dates.
2. Follows through on planned assignments within assigned time frames.
3. Effectively prioritizes assignments.
4. Demonstrates a willingness to accept extra assignments.
5. Adjusts to change, work pressures or different situations without undue stress.
6. Demonstrates skill in developing improvements in work methods.
7. Effective in cost control and resource utilization.

Professionalism

1. Adheres to dress code, conduct and attendance policies.
2. Accepts both positive and negative constructive feedback.
3. Attends at least 80% of in-services and departmental meetings.
4. Demonstrates a supportive/positive attitude toward the hospital and fellow employees is a positive team member.
5. Expresses self in an organized, comprehensive, articulate and concise manner.