Speech Language Pathologist

Speech Language Pathologist

The primary responsibility of the Speech and Language Therapist (ST) is to prevent, evaluate, assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, communication, and swallowing disorders as ordered by physician. In this role, you are entrusted to ensure that the highest degree of quality care can be provided to our Villagers at all times.

Key Responsibilities:

Villager Care: 80% time

• Provide skilled, medically necessary speech and language therapy assessments as well as develop and implement individualized treatment plans to increase client's independence and functioning
• Provide aural rehabilitation for clients who are deaf or hard of hearing
• Provide augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems for individuals with severe expressive and/or language comprehension disorders
• Provide training and education to client, family, caregivers and other professionals as a subject matter expert
• Coordinate and collaborate with other professionals for diagnostic swallowing procedures (MBSS, FEES) as ordered by physician
• Supervise as appropriate, provisional licensees, students including Clinical Fellowship year externs (CFY) and support personnel in accordance with state licensure requirements and professional standards
• Demonstrate competent technical skills according to current Speech Therapy standards of practice
• Communicate changes in Villager's condition
• Participate in collaborative care conferences and discharge planning
• Provide accurate and timely billing records and supporting clinical documentation
• Respond to family requests and concerns timely
• Coordinate and provide training with Restorative Nursing and other Villager Care Providers
• Assure villager abuse or neglect does not occur
• Observe confidentiality and safeguards for all patient information

Department Duties: 20% time

• Assist with training and education of facility and professional partners
• Perform screening rounds as directed by Director of Rehabilitation to assess for client needs and environmental safety
• Provide recommendations to Director of Rehab and other team members opportunities for business improvement, safety concerns or other updates
• Participation in SLP student development and educational programs
• Ensure compliance with mandatory education, training and competency programs
• Assist in maintaining cleanliness and tour readiness of the therapy department
• Performs other duties as assigned

Talent:

Executing

Detail oriented and follow through

Takes responsibility and ownership

Ability to prioritize and multi-task priorities

Creates efficiency and effectiveness in process

Influencing

Communicate clearly and effectively and brings people along

Tough skin to deal with multiple personalities and stakeholders

Relationship Building

Works well with people including staff, villagers and families

High customer services oriented

Ability to foster teamwork

Leads with honesty and integrity

Ability to read people and understand what motivates them

Strategic Thinking

Curiosity and desire to learn

Ability to think quickly on your feet and come up with alternate solutions

Able to ask great questions

Process information quickly and conceptually

Skills and Knowledge:

• Effective and efficient time management skills
• Sufficient verbal and written communication skills to perform the tasks required
• Previous experience and knowledge to provide appropriate care in post-acute or long-term care environment (preferred)
• Knowledge of current Speech Therapy practices and procedures including laws, regulations and guidelines that pertain to nursing care facilities
• Current, unencumbered, active Colorado Speech Therapy License (required)
• Current ASHA certification
• BLS certification as requested
• Vital Stim certification as requested

Education:

• Must be a graduate of an accredited Speech Language Pathology Program by ASHA

Work Environment:

• Works in designated areas of the home
• Moves intermittently during working hours
• Is subject to frequent interruptions
• Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset villagers, family members, etc
• Communicates with the maintenance personnel, Villager Care Providers, and other department supervisors
• Works beyond normal duty hours, on weekends, and in other positions temporarily, when necessary
• Is subject to call back during emergency conditions (e.g., severe weather, evacuation, post-disaster, etc.)
• Is subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout the workday, as well as reactions from dust, disinfectants, tobacco smoke, and other air contaminants
• Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including TB and the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses
• May be subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals

Physical Demands:

• Frequent squatting, twisting and reaching
• Frequent walking and standing
• Occasional villager handling, transferring and lifting from floor over 50 pounds
• Occasional crawling, climbing and sitting
• Frequent repetitive pushing, pulling and grasping up to 25 pounds

Other:

Must maintain a valid, unrestricted Colorado driver's license