Speech Pathologist - Home Health (Adams County) - PRN

Job Description:

Under general supervision, provides professional speech and language pathology services to assist patients in achieving optimal level of rehabilitation regarding speech, hearing, language, and swallowing disorders in accordance with the patient’s diagnosis, physician’s orders and agency policies and procedures. Responsible for accepting patient referrals, evaluating for services, and managing a caseload. Provide consultant speech and language pathology services when appropriate.

Duties and Responsibilities

Related to Patient Care

1. Provides patient/family centered care through a process of speech and language therapy evaluation, assessment, planning, and implementing rehabilitative programs based on identified patient and family needs according to established short and long-term goals.
2. Assists patient’s physician and/or VNA staff in evaluating the patient’s level of impairment and/or function from speech, hearing, language, and swallowing disorders.
3. Develops a written speech therapy plan of care, incorporating input from other disciplines involved in the care of the patient.
4. Assesses patient’s response to treatment, changes in psycho-social and/or physical condition, reporting changes to primary nurse, home health team manager, or physician as indicated with modifications to plan of care as needed.
5. Educates, instructs, demonstrates to patient and family and evaluates patient’s performance of oral facilitation exercises, swallowing exercises., and speech language exercises.
6. Assists patients in developing or restoring function and achieving maximum performance in verbal and non-verbal communication.
7. Instruct family members in methods to assist the patient to improve and correct speech, hearing, and language disabilities.
8. Participates in interdisciplinary patient care conferences for coordinated planning, goal setting and problem solving.
9. Prepares clinical notes, progress notes, and discharge summaries for each patient in accordance with VNA policies.
10. Utilizes appropriate disciplines and resources for optimum patient care.
11. Discontinues speech and language service when appropriate and notifies primary clinician and/or Team manager and patient’s physician of decision and reason, educating the patient/family regarding how to access necessary follow-up.

Related to Staff

1. Function as a member of a multidisciplinary team, encouraging and maintaining open communications at all times.
2. Assists in the orientation of new staff or continuing education of existing staff as appropriate and as requested by clinical management.
3. Related to Corporate Management
4. Provides input into the development of policies and procedures through appropriate administrative and/or clinical channels.
5. Submits clinical documentation and records in an accurate, legible and timely manner consistent with Agency policy.
6. Participates in scheduled in-service programs and inter-disciplinary conferences as requested by clinical management.
7. Submits patient visit schedule to the scheduler on a weekly basis and notifies if schedule changes.
8. Informs appropriate clinical management of perceived problem areas related to patient, organization or community.
9. Seeks input and/or consultation from management personnel as appropriate.
10. Provides input regarding the performance of a Home Health Aide he/she is responsible for supervising with a particular patient by communication with the Clinical Manager or Team Leader.
11. Meets or exceeds established productivity standards.

Related to Community

1. Demonstrates a professional attitude, sound judgment, and a continuity of interactions with physicians, health care providers, and other agencies.
2. Acquires and utilizes knowledge of community resources.
3. Promotes a positive image of the organization.

Qualifications

• Minimum Education:
  • Bachelor’s Degree
• Preferred Education:
  • Master's Degree
• Required Courses:
  • Graduate of an accredited program in speech-language pathology; Successful completion of Certificate of Clinical Competency or Strong Clinical Fellow
• Required Certification:
  • Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist; BLS certification
• Minimum Experience Required:
  • 6 months experience
• Preferred Experience:
  • Preferred Experience 12 months clinical experience, including rehabilitation experience
• Skills:
  • Must possess a valid driver’s license in the current state of residence. Driving record must meet requirements established by WellSpan Risk Management. Willing/able to drive in varying weather conditions and in urban/rural settings.