2nd Annual Fund Raiser

Career Center

JOB TITLE: Speech Language Pathologist

REPORTS TO: Rehab Coordinator

JOB SUMMARY: A professional who provides skilled speech and language services to patients in their residences on an intermittent basis. The speech pathologist evaluates, plans, and implements care to rehabilitate the patient to their maximum potential for communication and swallowing. Confers with physicians and other members of the health care team to formulate realistic goals and evaluate therapy program.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
  • Willingness to understand, support, and implement in practice the philosophy,
  • Objectives and policies of the agency.
  • Knowledge of current professional practice applicable to the care of assigned patients.
  • Skill in the application of therapy process and current techniques to meet patient and family needs.
  • Ability to set priorities and problem solve.
  • Good physical and mental health to meet the demands of this position.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Education and Experience:
  • Master's Degree in Speech Pathology.
  • Certificate of Clinical Competence.
Essential Job Responsibilities:
  • Provides initial and ongoing comprehensive skilled care to the patient as ordered by the physician and under the supervision of the Rehab Coordinator. Skilled care requires that the therapist have the ability to:
    • Communicate effectively by phone, in person, and via documentation in a timely manner to patient/family, physician, interdisciplinary team, supervisor, and community agencies as mandated by agency policy.
    • Perform comprehensive assessment of patient and environment including Outcome and Information Set (OASIS) assessments to determine appropriateness and level of skilled care. This may include the physical demands of:
      - turning, transferring, light lifting, carrying or moving at least 20 lbs
      - visibly assessing (appearance, color, consistency, depth, etc) physical data
      - olfactory acuity necessary to identify odors specific to infections or diseases
      - auditory acuity to identify, intensify, and clarity of sound
    • Compile and interpret physical assessment data, prioritized problems, and communicate findings to physician and interdisciplinary team.
    • Demonstrate emotional stability by responding appropriately to scheduling demands, unusual situations, and emergencies.
    • Perform skilled therapy functions (ie Medicare Treatment Codes) as assigned by Rehab Coordinator.
    • Perform CPR correctly (i.e.--must possess physical ability to move victim to the floor and deliver sufficient breaths and chest compressions until help arrives.)
  • Formulates, implements, and evaluates a plan of care for each assigned patient admitted to agency and revising as necessary.
  • Completes all clinical opening visit paperwork and progress notes according to policy.
  • Assesses the necessity of referrals to other services within the agency and community.
  • Counsels and teaches patient and family toward meeting needs and setting goals that will assist the patient in achieving the optimal state of independence and planning for the discharge of services.
  • Accurately records every home visit according to policy.
  • Informs Rehab Coordinator of significant changes in patient's condition.
  • Identifies and evaluates the effectiveness and outcomes of care.
  • Records visits and mileage accurately on visit report.
  • Prepares certification, updates, and re-certification documentation according to policy.
  • Coordinates services by maintaining communication with other disciplines involved in the care of the patient.
  • Supervises the Home Health Aide according to policy, when SLP is the primary discipline on a case.
  • Participates in in-service programs, staff development, assigned meetings, and utilization review activities.
  • Follows all agency policies including all federal and state regulatory mandates.
Non-Essential Job Responsibilities:
  • Performs additional duties as assigned by the Rehab Coordinator.