SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following: Provides Speech Therapy services to residents and initiates referrals when appropriate and in accordance with Speech Therapy Department procedures. Conduct screenings 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. Interprets and communicates evaluation findings to residents, family, and other team members. 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. Coordinates treatment plan with resident, family, and other team members. Monitors residents response to intervention and modifies treatment as indicated to attain goals in accordance with physician orders. Recommends and obtains appropriate equipment to improve patients communication. Instructs patient, family and staff in use of augmentative communication devices. Participates in discharge planning. Develops appropriate home or community programming to maintain and enhance the performance of the resident in their own environment. Documents results of residents assessment, treatment, follow-up, and termination of services. Reviews the quality and appropriateness of the total services delivered and of individual speech therapy programs for effectiveness and efficiency, using predetermined criteria. Supervises students and volunteers in accordance with state regulations. Participates in resident, family, and staff education. Attends in-service meetings and facility meetings as required. Provides in-service education to the members of the residents care team and education to the community. Adheres to Speech Therapy Department procedures regarding documentation of Speech Therapy services. Consistently demonstrates sound judgments in the evaluation, planning, and implementation and follow-up of resident therapy programs. Assumes responsibility for ongoing continuing education and professional development. Records indirect and billable treatment times according to Speech Therapy Department procedures and submits weekly/monthly statistics to the Therapy Program Manager and/or business office. Provides treatment in accordance with established standards of practice, department procedures and productivity standards. Reports to work on time and adheres to schedule maintaining acceptable patient ratios and work efficiency during assigned shift. Maintains safe and clean work area and adheres to facility/company standards. Complies with all Infection Control, Universal Precautions and OSHA standards for the health care professional. Maintains positive relationship and rapport with coworkers, residents, family members and facility personnel. Assists with and participates in Quality Assurance Programs as required. Adheres to established confidentiality standards. Projects a positive and professional image at all times. Performs other duties as assigned. RECOMMENDED MINIMUM POSITION QUALIFICATIONS Masters Degree in Speech-Language Pathology Certificate of Clinical Competency or eligibility for Clinical Fellowship Year Current state licensure or license eligible PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT 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. The employee works mostly inside in resident rooms or clinic. 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 Bloodborne 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. The essential functions described here a representative of those an employee encounters while performing the basic functions of a Speech-Language Pathologist. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.