Speech Language Pathologist

Description:

DUTIES

Provides skilled speech pathology service on an intermittent basis to consumers in their homes in accordance with the physician's orders

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Evaluates the consumer's level of functioning and recommends mechanisms to enhance the consumer's hearing ability
2. Provides initial and ongoing comprehensive assessments of the consumer’s needs
3. Establishes a Speech Therapy treatment plan in consultation with the physician and revises it with the approval of the physician as necessary
4. Assists in development and implementation of the interdisciplinary consumer care plan as it pertains to Speech Therapy
5. Assures that the physician's orders are appropriate and discusses necessary changes
6. Communicates with other team members and, when appropriate, instructs them in speech pathology techniques that they may use while working with the consumer.
7. Teaches, supervises, and counsels the family and consumer in the total Speech Therapy program and other related problems of the consumer at home
8. Evaluates the consumer, 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 consumer, and what other agency and community services will be required
9. Makes arrangements for out-consumer services for procedures which cannot be given in the home
10. Records on a timely basis all evaluation data, treatments, and consumer's response to therapy intervention
11. Supervises the Home Health per agency policy when Speech Therapy is the only professional discipline involved in the consumer's care
12. Records and reports to the physician the consumer's reaction to treatment and /or any changes in the consumer's condition
13. Participates in the development of periodic revision of the physician's plan of treatment keeping him/her informed of the consumer's status, and obtaining additional orders if necessary
14. Communicates with the physician per agency policy or whenever changes occur regarding the consumer’s status and obtains additional orders, if necessary
15. Evaluates the effectiveness of speech pathology intervention and updates the consumer care plan as needed.
16. Writes clinical/progress notes on the date of the visit and incorporates same in the consumer's record per agency policy
17. Assumes 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
18. Confirms, on a weekly basis, the scheduling of visits with the Nursing Supervisor in order to coordinate the consumer’s visit schedule
19. Participates in agency activities, case conferences and meetings, when appropriate
20. Participates with staff, consumers, and physicians in discharge planning activities and completes a Speech Therapy Discharge Summary

ASSISTS IN AGENCY ADMISSION PROCESS

1. Obtains a medical history, particularly as it relates to the present condition
2. Evaluates the consumer, and the home situation to determine what instruction and assistance will be available from the family in caring for the consumer, and what other Agency and community services will be required
3. Assures that the physician’s orders are appropriate and discusses necessary changes

Requirements:

JOB CONDITIONS

1. The ability to drive and the ability to access consumers’ homes which may not be routinely wheelchair accessible are required.
2. Hearing, eyesight and physical dexterity must be sufficient to perform a physical assessment of the consumer's condition and to perform consumer care.
3. On occasion, may be required to bend, stoop, reach and move consumer weight up to 250 pounds; lift and/or carry up to 30 pounds.
4. The ability to communicate well, both verbally and in writing in English is required

EQUIPMENT OPERATION

Speech therapy equipment and hand washing materials.

COMPANY INFORMATION

Has access to all consumer medical records which may be discussed with Nursing Supervisor, the Administrator, the Executive Director, and the Quality Assurance department staff and government agencies

QUALIFICATIONS

1. A Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology with a bachelor’s degree in the Field of Speech and Hearing Therapy preferred
2. Preferably a member of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association
3. Must be Licensed in Colorado
4. Must have at least one year of institutional/home care experience
5. Must have a criminal background check
6. Must have current CPR certification