SLP-Speech, language therapist

About the Role

The Staff Speech-Language Pathologist evaluates and treats residents, communicates with families, physicians, and other health team members, and maintains documentation of services in the medical records. Conducts in-services and training for facility staff on an ongoing basis.

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 nursing department with training of Restorative Aides.
• Supervise Speech-Language Pathologist Clinical Fellows (CFY) or students in resident care and resident-related activities, following 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 on training programs for other staff in the facility 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 the ordering of necessary durable medical equipment for residents to facilitate independence in swallows 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.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Supervises CFY – Speech Clinical Fellows and students, if applicable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology; prefer graduates of Masters or Doctorate Program in Speech-Language Pathology.
• Licensed as a Speech Therapist in the state.
• Must meet continuing education requirements per state practices and maintain a license in good standing at all times with the state board.
• Determine additional certification as appropriate per facility.
• CPR certification, if required by licensure.
• Proficient in computer skills such as inputting data into programs like Net Health and Point Click Care.

Skills

• Ability to read technical procedures, policy, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, coworkers, and families.
• Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to solve practical problems and interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Physical Demands

The essential functions of this position require the ability to:

• Stand and walk frequently, sit occasionally.
• Occasionally climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl as needed to provide resident care and operate equipment.
• 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 to safely move residents or equipment.
• Communicate effectively, including talking and hearing, to interact with residents, families, and the healthcare team.
• Perceive and respond to environmental cues, including tactile, auditory, and visual information, essential for safe and effective resident care.
• Assist, support, and transport residents in accordance with safe resident handling practices.

Work Environment

The work environment is usually low to moderate noise. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job, in compliance with applicable federal and state laws.