Per Diem Speech Therapist

Speech-Language Pathologist

Responsibility of caring for our residents, families, co-workers, visitors, and all others. The primary purpose of your job position is to provide and direct speech therapy services to residents, including assessment, treatment, program planning and implementation, related documentation, and communication. Function under physician's orders. You are entrusted to provide innovative, responsible healthcare with the creation and implementation of new ideas and concepts that continually improve systems and processes to achieve superior results. As Speech-Language Pathologist, you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties.

1. Provides speech-language pathology services to residents and initiates referrals when appropriate and in accordance with Speech Therapy Department procedures.

2. Conducts screenings of residents at regular intervals to determine need for intervention/treatment.

3. Evaluates residents to obtain data necessary for treatment planning and implementation. Conducts specialized evaluations as indicated.

4. Interprets and communicates evaluation findings to residents, family, and other team members.

5. Establishes individual resident schedules in conjunction with other team members.

6. Develops treatment plans by identifying a problem list including short and long-term goals and methods to achieve identified goals.

7. Coordinates treatment plan with resident, family and other team members.

8. Implements and conducts treatment as outlined in treatment planning and implementation.

9. Monitors resident's response to intervention and modifies treatment as indicated to attain goals in accordance with physician orders.

10. Develops appropriate home or community programming to maintain and enhance the performance of the resident in their own environment.

11. Documents results of resident's assessment, treatment, follow-up and termination of services.

12. Adapts treatment to meet the individual needs of the resident.

13. Recommends and obtains appropriate equipment to improve patient's communication. Instructs patient, family and staff in use of augmentative communication devices.

14. Participates in discharge planning.

15. Supervises students and volunteers.

16. Reviews the quality and appropriateness of the total services delivered and of individual speech therapy programs for effectiveness and efficiency, using predetermined criteria.

17. Participates in resident, family, and staff education.

18. Confers formally and informally with other team members in coordinating the total rehabilitation program of the resident.

19. Adheres to Speech Therapy Department procedures regarding documentation of speech therapy services.

20. Attends in-service meetings and facility meetings as required.

21. Provides in-service education to members of the resident's care team and education to the community.

22. Assumes responsibility for ongoing continuing education and professional development.

23. Records indirect time and billable treatment times according to Speech Therapy Department procedures and submits weekly/monthly statistics to regional office.

24. Provides treatment in accordance with established standards of practice, department procedures and productivity standards.

25. Maintains safe and clean work area and adheres to facility/company safety standards.

26. Complies with all infection control, Universal Precautions and OSHA standards for the healthcare professional.

27. Consistently demonstrates sound judgment in the evaluation planning, implementation and follow-up of resident therapy programs.

28. Maintains positive relationships and rapport with coworkers, residents, family members and facility personnel.

29. Reports to work on time and adheres to schedule maintaining acceptable patient ratios and work efficiency during assigned shift.

30. Assists with and participates in quality assurance programs as required.

31. Adheres to established confidentiality standards.

32. Projects a positive and professional image at all times.

33. Demonstrate respect and compassion in every interaction.

34. Conduct oneself with the highest degree of honesty and integrity in every interaction.

35. Demonstrate a passion for caring as evidenced by interaction with co-workers, residents, families, and visitors.

36. Perform other duties as assigned.

STANDARD - EXPECTATION

Spirit of Unity and Teamwork - Willing to assist and support co-workers; flexible to a change in work assignment; participate in team meetings; value the contributions of all and include all in decisions that will affect them.

Respect - Recognize the dignity and value of each person; appreciate, embrace and celebrate diversity; speak to others and about others in a kind manner; respond to and give direction with emotional control; maintain privacy and confidentiality in personal matters; always knock on the door before entering a room; treat the property of others carefully and responsibly.

Spirit of Hospitality and Relationship Building - Greet each person I meet; welcome new residents, families and co-workers; courteous and friendly in manner; build positive relationships.

Communication - Listen attentively to others and respond respectfully; share important information with those that need to know; address concerns with the appropriate persons and work with them together to resolve the concerns.

Responsibility, Sense of Ownership and Stewardship - Assumes responsibility for the Villa's reputation; open to new ideas and new approaches to the job.

Compassionate Care and Service - Respond to residents needs in a timely manner; take time to speak with family members; give timely feedback to persons who express concerns; foster a healing environment within the Villa community

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must possess a minimum of a Masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology.
• Must possess a minimum of Clinical Competency or eligibility for Clinical Fellowship year.
• Must possess current state licensure or license eligible.

EXPERIENCE/KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:

• Must be able to work independently.
• Must possess excellent interpersonal, coordinating, and organizational skills.
• Must be able to manage multiple tasks at one time.
• Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language and possess good communication skills. Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
• Must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide training appropriate to the age related needs of the residents served.
• Must be a supportive team member, contribute to and be an example of teamwork and team concept.
• Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/ personnel, and the general public.
• Must possess leadership and supervisory ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with other personnel. Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing training practices.
• Must possess the ability to plan and develop new programs.
• Must have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition and enthusiasm as well as the willingness to handle difficult residents and staff.
• Must be able to relate information concerning a resident's condition.
• Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety to other individuals in the workplace.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
• Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner.
• Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
• Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to ensure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.
• Must function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel, and support agencies.
• Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of the company, which include a medical and physical examination.
• Must be able to relate to and work with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and, at times, hostile people within the facility.
• Must be able to push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of 25 pounds to a minimum height of 5 feet and be able to push, pull, move, and/or carry such weight a minimum distance of 50 feet.
• May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.