Speech Therapist Per Visit

Western CT Home Care Inc Speech Therapist

At Western Connecticut Home Care, we are seeking individuals to become part of our exceptional home healthcare team. We are interested in health care staff who thrive working independently at the top of their professional licenses while being part of a coordinated home health team, and who will be part of the continuum of care at Nuvance Health. Our home health team works closely with patients' physicians and families to provide care in the one place where our patients want to be, in the comfort of their own homes. As part of the Nuvance Health Network, our home health staff enjoy flexible schedules; continuing education options; excellent medical, dental and recreational benefits; and the support of a thorough orientation program.

Position Summary

This position assesses and evaluates speech, language and/or hearing disorders. This role determines and makes recommendations to the physician the appropriate corrective treatment. Assumes responsibility for the ongoing interdisciplinary assessment and development of the individualized plan of care in partnership with the patient representative (if any) and caregiver. Communicates with the physician who is responsible for the health plan of care and other health care practitioners as appropriate related to the current home health plan of care.

Responsibilities

1. Assesses the needs of the client utilizing diagnostic speech and language evaluations, to determine the type of speech, language or hearing disorder, and makes recommendations to the physician regarding the appropriate corrective treatment. 2. Participates in the development of the total care plan, and case management, in consultation with the physician. 3. Maintains records on visits to patients, including diagnostic evaluation, plans for care, expected outcomes, clients' response to therapy and discharge summaries. 4. Participates in case management conferences with the nurse and other team members to coordinate the speech therapy program with total plan of care. 5. Records and reports to the physician, the client's reactions to treatment, and any changes in the client's condition, progress in meeting goals, and reassesses at least every 60 days. 6. Instructs family and other team members in methods of assisting the client to improve and correct speech disabilities and swallowing disorders. 7. Counsels and educates patients, family and other team members in methods of assisting the patient to improve and correct speech disabilities and swallowing disorders. 8. Provides written instructions after demonstration to home health team, a copy of which will be left in the home, and a copy in patients record. 9. Participates in the agency quality assurance and performance improvement plan. 10. Supervises care provided by the home health aides as appropriate. 11. Fulfills all compliance responsibilities related to the position including attending in-service training 12. Performs other duties as assigned.

Education

Master's Level Degree

Other Information

Required: Graduated from an approved curriculum certified by the American Speech and Hearing Association and successful completion of National Registration Examination. For Speech Therapists trained outside the United States, successful completion of registration examination as prescribed by the American Speech Therapy Association. A supervisor of Speech Pathology services shall be a Speech Pathologist, licensed to practice speech pathology in the State of Connecticut, who has a minimum of three (3) years' clinical experience in speech pathology. It is recommended that the speech therapist providing service in a home health agency have a minimum of one (1) year full time, paid experience in speech therapy in a hospital, clinic or other facility or agency, under the direction of an experienced and qualified speech therapist who maintained close supervision at all times. It is recommended that the speech therapist who has had at least five years' experience, but who has not actively practiced professionally within the preceding five years, and those with less than five years experience, shall participate in a formally sponsored refresher course or work under supervision before rendering professional service in the Agency. Minimum Experience: one year Desired: Functional Independent Measurement (FIM) certification and CPR certification. Experience with FEES or MBS.

Working Conditions:

Manual: Some manual skills/motor coord & finger dexterity

Occupational: Some occupational risk

Physical Effort: Medium to Heavy effort. May exert up to 35 lbs. force

Physical Environment: Generally pleasant working conditions