SPEECH THERAPIST- PER DIEM

Speech Therapy Services

Provide speech therapy services and expertise in accordance with the physician's plan of care. Participate in the development of the speech therapy program. Provide advisory service to other healthcare professionals who share responsibility for patient care. Provide, when requested, speech therapy services to hospice patients as ordered in the patient's plan of care.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Provide speech therapy services to patients according to a physician's written plan of care whose needs range from basic to complex.
• Assess and evaluate therapeutic/rehabilitative/functional status and participation in the development of the total plan of care.
• Determine priority needs for speech therapy services.
• Direct speech therapy treatment.
• Report patient's reaction to treatment or changes in condition to physician.
• Document OASIS assessment.
• Initiate speech therapy program and instruct other healthcare professionals and/or family members/caregiver in certain phases of speech therapy with which they may work with a patient. Instruct them as to the goals of the speech therapy program for the patient by participating in case conferences.
• Identify patient and family/caregiver needs for other home health services and refer, as necessary.
• Prepare and submit clinical and progress summaries based on the attainment of goals as directed by agency policy.
• Provide speech therapy consultation to home families/caregivers when indicated.
• Provide in-service education programs for agency nursing personnel as needed.
• Instruct, supervise, and evaluate home health aide care every 2 weeks.
• Participate in discharge planning for patient.
• Perform other duties assigned.

Requirements

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Master's degree or equivalent in the field of speech/language pathology required.
• Certificate of clinical competence from the American Speech/Language and Hearing Association required.
• Licensed by the Board of Speech/Language Pathology in the State of New Hampshire is required.
• Minimum of 1 year experience in speech therapy required, community health setting preferred.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Ability to deliver speech therapy in a manner that is appropriate to patient's age, physical ability and intellectual development, as defined by the plan of care.
• Must demonstrate proficiency in assessing treatment and responses and adapting to meet the needs of the client population served.
• Ability to verbally communicate to express or exchange ideas and to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to patients, physicians, families and other employees.
• Ability to participate in the development of a speech therapy plan of care.
• Ability to perform job independently, when required.
• Ability to demonstrate courtesy, compassion and respect in relating to patients, families, visitors, physicians and co-workers.
• Ability to work as a team and maintain positive working relationships with employees and healthcare professionals.
• Ability to document patient care accurately according to healthcare standards and plan of care.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office software and other industry specific programs.
• Must demonstrate ethical conduct and build trust with patients and family members.
• Ability to follow safety guidelines as instructed by the agency.
• Ability to wear protective clothing such as mask, glove, head cover, safety glasses, etc.
• Ability to travel required. Travel throughout central New Hampshire is required.
• Current drivers' license is required.
• Proof of automobile insurance is required.
• Ability to pass a motor vehicle background screening is required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Job requires physical activities including but not limited to; standing for extended periods of time, bending, lifting, reaching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, crouching, crawling, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking and hearing.
• Job requires moderate physical work including the ability to exert up to 50 lbs. of force occasionally, 30 lbs. regularly.
• Job requires close visual acuity including the ability to see at or within arm's reach.
• Job is subject to inside environmental conditions; low noise level.

Franklin VNA and Hospice