Speech Language Pathologist Delta Millard County-Sign On Bonus

Summary

This position evaluates and implements speech therapy to patients with acute or chronic physical impairments and/or disabilities through the use of therapeutic techniques to restore physical and cognitive functioning and facilitate independence.  The speech therapist may also be involved in the prevention of disabilities or injury reoccurrence.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities *

The following information is intended to be representative of the work to be performed by incumbents in this position and is not all-inclusive.

• Provide treatment as ordered and approved by the attending physician.
• Evaluate the home environment and make recommendations.
• Observe and report findings about the patient’s condition to the attending physician and other agency staff, and document information in the patient’s record.
• Perform initial and ongoing assessments to determine patient’s level of functioning and ability to communicate.
• Establish a plan of treatment and goals based on the referral and evaluation of functional and communication skills, cognitive skills, developmental reflexes, muscle strength, tone and coordination, sensation tests, and other measures to ensure rapid patient recovery.
• Develop and revise the plan of care in consultation with the physician and other care-team members
• Implement therapy according to the established plan, utilizing appropriate providers, equipment and techniques within the scope of speech and language therapy.
• Provide written instructions for the home health aide to promote extension of therapy services.
• Perform supervisory visits, with or without the assigned aide(s) being present, at least every 30 days. Report back to the corresponding Case Manager.
• Supervise other agency personnel when appropriate.
• Recommend adaptive equipment, complete equipment justification forms, and arrange for the delivery of equipment.
• Evaluate outcomes of care; assess patient progress and makes recommendations regarding discharge.
• Consult and co-treat with other patient care team members to discuss patient progress, set objectives for patient treatment and integrate speech and language therapy with other activities.
• Educate the patient and/or caregiver(s) about the findings of the evaluation, established goals of the speech and language therapy program, plan of treatment, home programs, and other related information.
• Provide documentation of patient care according to established criteria.
• Participate in continuous quality improvement projects.
• Participate in in-services, medical conferences, staff meetings, continuing education courses, team meetings and other related activities.
• Assist with departmental maintenance and supplies.
• Take part in other duties and meetings that may be assigned by the Clinical Director of Home Health, Branch Director or Director of Therapy Services.

Qualifications and Experience

• This position requires a Bachelor’s Degree or higher from an accredited school of Speech Therapy.
• Must be a licensed Speech Therapist in the practicing state.
• Experience in home health is preferred.
• Current CPR certification.
• Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills and good interpersonal skills.
• Maintain a current driver’s license, safe driving record, and reliable transportation.
• Have a criminal background check must be performed before hire.
• Abide by the ethical guidelines as outlined by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
• Maintain a current knowledge of safety issues needed in the treatment of patients, especially regarding body substance precautions and body mechanics to protect self, patients and personnel working with the therapist.
• Complete and pass a skills evaluation test.
• Keep a current health certificate on file. 
• Adhere to dress code; assure that appearance is neat and clean. Wear identification while providing patient care
• Adhere to legal practice standards, including applicable federal, state, and local regulations and standards.
• Complete annual education requirements.
• Maintain patient confidentiality at all times.
• Demonstrate effective time management and organizational skills; provides patients visits as scheduled; completes patient care within the designated time.
• Attend annual review, case conference and in-services as scheduled.
• Follow Harmony’s adverse event/incident reporting procedure and Emergency Preparedness Plan.
• Maintain currency of professional knowledge by participating in continuing education offerings.
• Assure continued competency by maintaining and updating professional performance, knowledge and skills.
• Practice in a manner consistent with the respective professional and Harmony code of ethics.
• Comply with all organizational policies regarding ethical business practices
• Communicate the mission, ethics and goals of Harmony Home Health & Hospice.

Physical demands and work environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical demands: While performing duties of this job, the employee is required to perform job related duties which may require: lifting, standing, bending, transferring, stooping, stretching, walking, pushing, pulling, talking, hearing, and the ability to provide partial or complete assistance with activities of daily living without assistance from another healthcare worker or caregiver. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 60 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

• Work environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually minimal.