Speech Pathologist/Audiologist

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Speech Pathologist/Audiologist

Indianapolis, IN (patient locations near west and south Indianapolis)

Part-time Salaried or pay per visit option

Duties:

Provide skilled speech pathology service on an intermittent basis to patients in their homes in accordance with the physician's orders.

Responsibilities:

• Evaluate the patient's level of functioning and recommends mechanisms to enhance the patient's hearing ability.
• Provide initial and ongoing comprehensive assessments of the patient’s needs, including Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) assessments.
• Establish a Speech Therapy treatment plan in consultation with the physician and revises it with the approval of the physician as necessary.
• Assist in development and implementation of the interdisciplinary patient care plan as it pertains to Speech Therapy.
• Assure that the physician's orders are appropriate and discusses necessary changes.
• Communicate with other team members and, when appropriate, instructs them in speech pathology techniques that they may use while working with the patient.
• Teach, supervise, and counsel the family and patient in the total Speech Therapy program and other related problems of the patient at home.
• Evaluate the patient, his/her significant other(s) and the home situation to determine what instruction will be required, what assistance will be available for the family in caring for the patient, and what other agency and community services will be required.
• Make arrangements for out-patient services for procedures which cannot be given in the home.
• Record on a timely basis all evaluation data, treatments, and patient's response to therapy intervention.
• Supervise the Home Health per agency policy when Speech Therapy is the only professional discipline involved in the patient's care.
• Record and report to the physician the patient's reaction to treatment and /or any changes in the patient's condition.
• Participate in the development of periodic revision of the physician's plan of treatment keeping him/her informed of the patient's status and obtaining additional orders if necessary.
• Communicate with the physician at least every 30 days or whenever changes occur regarding the patient’s status and obtains additional orders, if necessary.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of speech pathology intervention and updates the patient care plan as needed.  
• Write clinical/progress notes on the date of the visit and incorporates same in the patient's record within 14 days.
• Assume responsibility for self-development by continually striving to improve his/her health care knowledge through educational programs, attendance at workshops and conferences, active participation in professional and related organization meetings and individual research and reading.
• Confirm, on a weekly basis, the scheduling of visits with the Director of Nurses in order to coordinate the patient’s visit schedule.
• Participate in agency activities, case conferences and meetings, when appropriate.
• Participate with staff, patients, and physicians in discharge planning activities and completes a Speech Therapy Discharge Summary.

Assist in Agency Admissions Process:

• Obtain a medical history, particularly as it relates to the present condition.
• Evaluate the patient, and the home situation to determine what instruction and assistance will be available from the family in caring for the patient, and what other Agency and community services will be required.
• Assure that the physician’s orders are appropriate and discusses necessary changes.

Job Conditions:

• The ability to drive and the ability to access patients’ homes which may not be routinely wheelchair accessible are required.
• Hearing, eyesight and physical dexterity must be sufficient to perform a physical assessment of the patient's condition and to perform patient care.
• On occasion, may be required to bend, stoop, reach and move patient weight up to 250 pounds; lift and/or carry up to 30 pounds.
• Must be able to effectively communicate in English.

Equipment Operation:

Speech therapy equipment and hand washing materials. 

Qualifications:

1. A Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology with a Bachelor Degree in the Field of Speech and Hearing Therapy preferred.
2. Preferably a member of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association.
3. Licensed in the State of Indiana to practice speech language pathology.
4. Preferred to have at least one year of institutional experience.
5. Must have a criminal background check.
6. Must have current CPR certification.