Speech Language Pathologist

Purpose : Provides and directs Speech-Language Pathologist services to residents, including assessment, treatment, program planning and implementation, related documentation, and communication. Functions under physicians' orders.

Qualifications :
• Ability to assess residents with communications and swallowing disorders.
• Ability to interpret and communicate results of assessments.
• Ability to design and execute appropriate treatment plans.
• Ability to document daily care as per established guidelines.

Essential Job Functions: Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

Judgment and Quality
• Provides Speech-Language Pathologist services to residents and initiates referrals

when appropriate and in accordance with department procedures.
• Conducts screening of residents at regular intervals to determine need for intervention/treatment.
• Evaluates residents to obtain data necessary for treatment planning and implementation. Conducts specialized evaluations as indicated.
• Monitors resident's response to intervention and modifies treatment as indicated to attain goals in accordance with physician orders.
• Develops appropriate home or community programming to maintain and enhance the performance of the resident in their own environment.
• Provides clinical information in a timely manner concerning safety and functional needs for discharge.
• Reviews the quality and appropriateness of the total services delivered and of individual Speech-Language Pathologist programs for effectiveness and efficiency, using predetermined criteria.
• Develop, evaluate, plan, implement and follow-up on resident therapy programs.
• Adapts treatment to meet the individual needs of the resident.
• Provides treatment in accordance with established standards of practice, department procedures and productivity standards.
• Adheres to established confidentiality standards.
• Implements and conducts treatment as outlined in treatment plan.
• Follows management direction.
• Assists with and participates in Continuous Quality Improvement program as directed.

Communication
• Interprets and communicates evaluation findings to residents, family, and other team members.
• Participates in resident, family and staff education.
• Provides in-service education to the members of the resident's care team and education to the community.
• Maintains positive relationships and rapport with coworkers, residents, family members and facility personnel.
• Communicating orally or in writing with clarity and accuracy.
• Projects a positive and professional image at all times.
• Confers formally and informally with other team members in coordinating the total rehabilitation program of the resident.
• Instructs patient, family and staff in appropriate patient specific Speech-Language Pathologist procedures or home program to allow carry over of therapeutic remediation and goals in daily activities.
• Therapist maintains communication with supervisor concerning caseload fluctuations as appropriate.

Planning and Organization
• Establishes individual resident schedules in conjunction with other team members.
• Develops treatment plans by identifying a problem list, including short and long term goals and methods to achieve identified goals.
• Organizing work area and work in progress so that minimum delay results with interruptions or substitutions.
• Coordinates treatment plan with resident, families and other team members.

Documentation
• Documents results of resident's assessment, treatment, follow-up, and termination of services.
• Records indirect time and billable treatment times according to department procedures.
• Adheres to department procedures regarding documentation of Speech-Language

Pathologist services.
• Records skilled services provided on a daily basis, including time spent with direct patient care.
• Completes weekly progress notes, providing information related to patient progress and plan modification.
• Consistently documents and updates therapy intervention on the nursing care plan in accordance with established time frames.

Initiative
• Supervises students and volunteers.
• Provides/recommends/fabricates adaptive devices or other equipment; trains resident, family and appropriate staff in the use or application of orthotics and prosthetics.
• Attends in-service meetings and facility meetings as required.
• Assumes responsibility for ongoing licensure, continuing education and professional development obligations.
• Reports to work on time and adheres to schedule maintaining acceptable patient ratios and work efficiency during assigned shift.
• Complies with facility's daily scheduling needs.

Safety
• Maintains safe and clean work area and adheres to facility/company safety standards.
• Complies with all Infection Control, Universal Precautions and OSHA standards for the health care professional.

Teamwork
• Offers assistance and support to coworkers.
• Works cooperatively in group situations.

Special Projects
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Physical Job Requirements:

Physical requirements for this position are classified as medium under the Department of Labor classification. The employee must be capable of exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally (less than 1/3 of the time), and/or 10 to 20 pounds of force frequently (1/2 of the time), and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly (2/3 or more of the time) to move objects, equipment and/or residents. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend or crouch; use hands to manipulate tools, equipment, or controls; reach with hands and arms, balance, lift, and perform medium to maximum transfer assists with residents. The employee is required to have visual and hearing acuity sufficient enough to assess resident safety and ability.

This position is classified as a Category 1 for the purpose of exposure determination under the OSHA Regulations regarding the Standard on Occupational Exposure to Blood borne Pathogens (29 CFR 1910.1030). Category 1 is defined as all procedures or job related tasks that involve an inherent risk for mucous membrane or skin contact with blood, body fluids, or tissues, or a potential for spills and or splashes of blood or body fluids. The use of protective equipment and measures is required for every employee engaged in Category 1 tasks.

Education and Experience:
• Masters Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from an accredited program.
• Successful completion of National Certification Examination for S.L.P.
• Current state licensure or license eligible.
• 0-3 years of long term care experience.