About The Position
The Staff Speech-Language Pathologist evaluates and treats residents, communicates with families, physicians, and other members of the health team, and documents services in medical records. The role also provides ongoing in-services and training for facility staff. The position evaluates residents’ speech therapy needs, functional limitations, and rehabilitation potential; develops, implements, and updates individualized treatment plans; and educates residents, families, and caregivers about goals, exercise and maintenance programs, safety techniques, and aspiration prevention. The therapist communicates about progress, goals, and discharge planning, participates in meetings as needed, and supports quality assurance and rehabilitation program development. The role maintains accurate, timely, and compliant documentation; follows infection-control, safety, and equipment-maintenance protocols; and may supervise Speech-Language Pathology Clinical Fellows and students. It requires a state license as a Speech Therapist, maintenance of continuing education and good standing with the state board, and computer proficiency with programs such as Net Health and Point Click Care.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology.
- Licensed as a Speech Therapist in the state.
- Meet continuing education requirements under state practice rules and maintain a license in good standing with the state board.
- Proficient in computer skills, including inputting data into programs such as Net Health and Point Click Care.
- Ability to read technical procedures and comprehend policy and procedure manuals.
- Ability to present information effectively and respond to questions from managers, coworkers, and families.
- Ability to apply mathematical concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
- Ability to solve practical problems and interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
- Ability to stand and walk frequently and sit occasionally, and to occasionally climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl as needed.
- Ability to reach, push, pull, lift, and manipulate objects and equipment, with exertion that may occasionally exceed 100 pounds, frequently exceed 50 pounds, or constantly exceed 20 pounds.
- Ability to communicate through talking and hearing and to perceive and respond to tactile, auditory, and visual environmental cues.
- Ability to assist, support, and transport residents in accordance with safe resident-handling practices.
Nice To Haves
- Graduation from a Master’s or Doctorate program in Speech-Language Pathology is preferred.
- Additional certification as appropriate per facility.
- CPR certification, if required by licensure.
Responsibilities
- Evaluate residents to determine speech therapy needs, functional limitations, and rehabilitation potential in accordance with physician orders and facility policies.
- Develop, implement, and update individualized treatment plans to improve mobility, strength, balance, endurance, and functional independence.
- Assist the nursing department with training Restorative Aides.
- Supervise Speech-Language Pathologist Clinical Fellows (CFY) or students in resident care and resident-related activities, following the state practice act.
- Communicate regularly with physicians, nursing staff, interdisciplinary team members, residents, and families regarding progress, goals, and discharge planning.
- Participate in Resident Care conferences, Utilization Review meetings, and Rehabilitation meetings as needed.
- Provide in-services and training programs for other facility staff as needed.
- Complete timely, accurate, and compliant documentation in accordance with facility, governmental, and third-party payer requirements.
- Maintain a safe treatment environment by following infection-control, safety, and equipment-maintenance protocols.
- Educate residents, families, and caregivers on treatment goals, home exercise programs, maintenance programs, safety techniques, and aspiration prevention strategies.
- Recommend and facilitate ordering necessary durable medical equipment to support residents’ independence in swallowing and cognition.
- Contribute to quality assurance, performance improvement initiatives, and facility rehabilitation program development as assigned.
- Relate positively, effectively, and appropriately with residents, families, staff, and professional colleagues.
