The Speech Therapist in Home Health is responsible for the assessment and evaluation of patient care needs related to treating speech and language disorders, and functional training in communication, swallowing, and cognitive impairments. Based on this assessment and evaluation, the Speech Therapist works to help determine a treatment plan, performs interventions aimed at improving and enhancing the patient's well-being, and evaluates the patient's progress.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:
- Provides services within the scope of practice as defined by the state laws governing the practice of speech therapy, by the plan of care, and in coordination with other members of the health care team
- Evaluates the patient's level of function by applying diagnostic and prognostic functional ability tests. Assists the physician in the development of the therapy plan of care
- Treats patients to communicate effectively by expressing thoughts according to the patient's condition using acceptable standards of practice
- Observes, records, and reports to the supervising nurse and/or physician the patient's response to treatment and changes in the patient's condition
- Instructs the patient, the family and/or caregiver, and other members of the health care team in areas of speech therapy in which they can participate
- Visits patient according to the plan of treatment, completes a progress note for each visit, and submits progress notes per Shamrock Home Care policy.
- Completes all patient evaluations and develops the ST plan of care within state-specific guidelines. Reports outcomes of evaluation, goals, and anticipated projected frequency of care to the supervising nurse within 24 hours of the evaluation.
- Participates in staff conferences and committees as necessary
- Provides in-services to agency staff upon request of supervising nurse
- Sends the supervising nurse and/or the physician a written summary report on the patient's condition at least every 60 days
- Performs other duties as assigned
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES) - Master's degree in Speech Therapy or Speech-language Pathology
- Must be currently licensed in Speech Therapy in California (required)
- Current CPR certification
- Driver's License, Car Insurance, Car Registration
- Strong leadership skills and ability to work collaboratively with a large team
- Strong clinical assessment, organizational and communication skills
- Ability to handle multiple assignments simultaneously
- Ability to utilize computers and other electronic devices for tasks such as timekeeping, in-servicing and documentation
- Bilingual (Spanish) preferred
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.
