Speech Language Pathologist

Job Description

Job Description

Purpose of Your Job Position

The primary purpose of your position is to plan, organize, develop, and direct Speech Language Pathologist Services in accordance with current applicable federal, state, and local standards, guidelines and regulations, and as may be directed by the Administrator or the Director of Rehabilitation, to assure that the highest degree of quality resident care can be maintained at all times.

Delegation of Authority

As Speech Language Pathologist you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties.

Job Function

Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or is an essential function of the position.

Duties and Responsibilities

Administrative Functions

• Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate, and direct our Speech Language Pathologist services, as well as its programs and activities, in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern nursing care facilities.

• Meet with administration, medical and nursing staff, as well as other related departments in planning therapy services.

• Develop and maintain Speech Language Pathologist standards.

• Assist in standardizing the methods in which Speech Language Pathologist will be accomplished.

• Maintain a reference library of written therapy material, laws, professional standards of practice, etc., necessary for complying with current standards and regulations, and that will provide assistance in maintaining quality resident care.

• Review Speech Language Pathologist policies, procedures, manuals, job descriptions, etc., at least annually, and participate in making recommended changes.

• Interpret Speech Language Pathologist policies and procedures to personnel, residents, family members, etc., as necessary.

• Participate in discharge planning, development and implementation of resident care plans, resident assessments, etc., as necessary.

• Assist in developing, implementing, and maintaining an ongoing quality assurance program for Speech Language Pathologist services.

• Assume the authority, responsibility, and accountability of directing the Speech Language Pathologist service in conjunction with the Rehabilitation Director.

• Maintain a current file of residents who have been treated.

• Maintain treatment records, resident files, and progress notes, as required.

• Ensure Business Office receives charges for therapy services rendered to residents.

• Make written and oral reports or recommendations to the Administrator and/or Rehabilitation Director, as necessary or required, concerning the operation of the Speech Language Pathologist Department.

• Perform administrative duties such as completing medical forms, reports, evaluations, studies, charting, etc., as necessary.

Committee Functions

• Provide written and/or oral reports of the Speech Language Pathologist programs and activities, as required.

• Evaluate and implement recommendations from established committees as they may pertain to Speech Language Pathologist services.

Personnel Functions

• Provide guidance and training for new and/or less experienced personnel.

• Develop work assignments and schedule duty hours in conjunction with the Rehabilitation Director.

• Review complaints and grievances made or filed by department personnel in conjunction with the Rehabilitation Director.

• Meet with and solicit advice from other department supervisors concerning Speech Language Pathologist; assist in identifying and correcting problem areas and/or the improvement of services.

Therapy and Consultation Functions

• Review request for Speech Language Pathologist and physicians’ orders.

• Interview resident to determine type of treatments needed and schedule therapy, as ordered.

• Select rehabilitative and therapeutic activities and exercises based on medical and social history of residents.

• Evaluate type of therapy most desirable after consulting with physician.

• Participate in the development and implementation of resident assessments (MDS) and care plans, including quarterly reviews.

• Brief resident of procedures involved in Speech Language Pathologist and prepare necessary equipment.

• Assist in transporting resident to and from Speech Language Pathologist room or area.

• Demonstrate to residents and staff personnel the procedures involved in the treatment process, as necessary.

• Perform Speech Language Pathologist in resident’s room, as necessary.

• Reassure resident before and during therapy treatment.

• Prepare resident for treatment by dress or position and administer Speech Language Pathologist in accordance with established policies and procedures.

• Instruct and supervise resident during therapy.

• Recommend modifications and changes in the resident’s therapy treatment, as indicated.

• Ensure that all pathologist notes are informative and descriptive of the care provided and of the resident’s response to the care.

Staff Development

• Develop and participate in programs designed for in-service education, on the job training and orientation classes for newly assigned personnel. (Includes maintaining appropriate recordkeeping requirements of when classes were held, subject matter, attendance, etc.)

• Participate and assist in departmental studies and projects as assigned or that may become necessary.

• Attend and participate in workshops, seminars, etc., to keep abreast of current changes in the health care field, as well as to maintain a professional status.

• Participate in annual Facility in-service training programs as scheduled (e.g., OSHA, TB, HIPAA, Abuse Prevention, Safety, Infection Control, etc.).

Safety and Sanitation

• Assist in developing safety standards for the Speech Language Pathologist Department.

• Be alert for resident safety during all therapy.

• Ensure that therapy personnel wear and/or use safety equipment and supplies when lifting or moving residents, when necessary.

• Assist in the development, implementation, and revision of written aseptic and isolation techniques.

• Assist in identifying and classifying departmental procedures that involve exposure to blood or body fluids. Update as necessary.

• Follow established infection control procedures and standards with universal precautions when performing duties.

• Ensure that the therapy area is maintained in a clean and safe manner for resident comfort and convenience by assuring that necessary equipment and supplies are maintained to perform such duties and services.

• Report missing or illegible labels or MSDSs to the safety officer or other designated person.

Equipment and Supply Functions

• Recommend to the Rehabilitation Director the equipment and supply needs of the department.

• Provide necessary material or equipment for resident to perform required therapy.

• Utilize all department equipment and supplies in an efficient manner that promotes desired therapy outcomes and minimize waste.

Care Plan Functions

• Assist in developing Speech Language Pathologist plans for individual residents in coordination and conjunction with the resident assessment (MDS).

• Review the Speech Language Pathologist requirements of each resident admitted to the Facility and assist the attending physician in planning for the resident’s care.

• Ensure that care plans indicate Speech Language Pathologist when such therapy is ordered.

• Participate in the development and implementation of care plans, including quarterly reviews.

Budget and Planning Functions

Keep abreast of economic conditions or situations, and recommend to the Rehabilitation Director and Administrator adjustments in Speech Language Pathologist that ensure the continued ability to provide quality care.

Resident Rights

• Ensure that therapy personnel honor the resident’s refusal of treatment request. Report such requests to the Director of Nursing Services.

• Abide by the resident’s participation in treatment decision.

• Inform the resident of consequences of not participating in prescribed therapy and document such action in the resident’s clinical record.

• Review complaints and grievances made by the resident, families, and/or visitors and make oral or written reports to the Administrator and Rehabilitation Director indicating what action(s) were taken to resolve the complaint or grievance.

• Maintain a written record of the resident’s complaints and/or grievances that indicates the action taken to resolve the complaint and the current status of the complaint.

• Allow the resident to participate in the planning and scheduling of his or her treatment.

• Must adhere to all HIPAA requirements.

Working Conditions

• Works in office areas, therapy rooms, resident rooms, etc.

• Is involved with physicians, residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies or personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.

• Communicates with the medical staff, nursing personnel, and other department directors.

• Attends and participates in continuing educational programs as may be required by current regulations.

• Maintains a liaison with the residents, their families, other departments, etc., to adequately plan for the resident’s Speech Language Pathologist needs.

Education

Must possess, as a minimum, a Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Language Pathologist from an accredited college or university.

Experience

• Must have, as a minimum, two (2) years experience in a therapist capacity in a hospital, nursing care facility, or other related medical facility.

• Must have training in rehabilitative and restorative therapy practices.

Specific Requirements

• Must possess a current, unencumbered license to practice as a Speech Language Pathologist in this state.

• Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.

• Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.

• Must be knowledgeable of Speech Language Pathologist procedures.

• Must maintain the care and use of supplies, equipment, etc., and maintain the appearance of therapy areas.

• Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing therapy services.

• Must be able to relate information concerning a resident’s condition.

• Must obtain and maintain GFY/CCC certification from the American Speech Language Hearing Association.

Physical and Sensory Requirements

(With or Without a Reasonable Accommodation)

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.

• Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to assure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.

• Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of the Facility, which may include a medical and physical examination.

• Based on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Guidelines for Nursing Homes Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders and the American Conference Governmental Industrial Hygienists' Threshold Limit Values for Lifting the Facility has identified that this job may require the lifting of residents, equipment, or other objects. Accordingly, this job may require a minimum of 5 pounds and a maximum of 25 pounds lifting, periodically and or as needed.

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