Speech Therapist
Job Summary
Provides evaluation and treatment for speech and language disorders. Maintains and monitors patient progress. Requires Master's degree in speech pathology, current state licensing, and certification through the American Speech Language Hearing Association. Specializes in diagnosis and treatment of speech and language problems, and engages in scientific study of human communication. Within their training and scope of practice, the staff speech therapist assesses, treats and monitors patients; performs all necessary paperwork/reports; plans and develops new programs; maintains communication with patient, patient’s family and physician and contract site staff; presents in services; assists in general management of the department; and other diverse duties as requested or required.
Essential Job Functions
Job functions are those tasks, duties, and responsibilities that comprise the means of accomplishing the job’s purpose and objectives. Job functions are critical or fundamental to the performance of the job. They are the major functions for which the person in the job is held accountable.
•Evaluate patients using standardized and informal methods to gain appropriate data and develop treatment plan.
•Interpret evaluation findings and communicate treatment plan to patient, family/significant others and care team.
•Understands and complies with universal precautions, safety and risk policies and procedures.
•Practice therapy consistent with the code of ethics of the State and National Speech/Language and Hearing Association.
•Develop effective home program to maintain and enhance the patient’s performance in their environment.
•Monitor patients’ progress, modify treatment as appropriate. Review the patient treatment programs to maintain effective and efficient quality service.
•Develop treatment protocol/procedures, evaluation, treatment plan and goals, patient documentation and recommendation of discharging therapy services.
•Assist with development of programs revision of policies and procedures. Attend department meetings and conferences.
•Assist with maintenance of Quality Assurance reports and records. Complete hospital reports as required.
•Assist with maintenance of inventory of supplies and equipment.
•Develop and initiate referrals, respond in timely manner to referrals. Develop effective rapport with referring physicians.
•Present positive service oriented approach with patients, patient families, hospital/nursing home staff and co-workers at all times.
•Provide swing bed assessment and treatment and calculate days of need.
•Performs necessary documentation including evaluations, progress notes, discharge notes and logs in a timely manner according to regulations.
•Ongoing commitment to reducing costs and improving productivity in the physical therapy department.
•Maintains positive relationships with the health care team, patient and family.
•Diagnoses and evaluates speech and language skills and swallowing as related to educational, medical, social, and psychological factors.
•Plans, directs, or conducts rehabilitative treatment programs to restore communicative efficiency of individuals with communication disorders of organic and nonorganic etiology.
•Reviews individual file to obtain background information prior to evaluation to determine appropriate tests and to ensure that adequate information is available.
•Administers, scores, and interprets specialized speech, language and swallowing tests.
•Develops and implements individualized plans for assigned clients to meet individual needs, interests, and abilities and communicates that plan to the patient (or patient’s family) and care team.
•Reviews treatment plan, and assesses individual performance to modify, change, or write new programs.
•Maintains records as required by law, establishment's policy, and administrative regulations.
•Attends meetings and conferences and participates in other activities to promote professional growth.
•Instructs individuals to monitor their own speech and provides ways to practice new skills.
•Acts as consultant to educational, medical, and other professional groups.
•Conducts research to develop diagnostic and remedial techniques.
•Serves as consultant to classroom teachers to incorporate speech and language development activities into daily schedule.
•Develops effective home program to maintain and enhance the patient’s performance in their environment.
•Responsibility for maintaining up to date licensure requirements.
•Practices therapy consistent with the code of ethics of the State and National Speech/Language and Hearing Association.
•Responds in timely manner to referrals and develops effective rapport with referring physicians.
•Documents services and maintains records as required by law, facility policy and administrative regulations, and does so in a timely manner.
•Assists with development of programs, revision of policies and procedures.
•Utilizes and maintains equipment appropriately. Requisitions supplies and equipment as needed.
•Oversees techs, support staff, students and volunteers.
Note: This job description does not state or imply that the above are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Employees holding this position may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this job description.