Speech Therapist II

Job Profile Summary

This role focuses on assessing the needs of patients who have physical, mental, or emotional disabilities and delivering therapy services to improve their developmental, physical or cognitive impairment. In addition, this role focuses on performing the following Audio/Speech Therapy related duties: Evaluates patients and uses sound therapy to improve physical and mental conditions. Responsibilities also include improving physical and mental conditions through treating a variety of speech disorders and communication difficulties. A professional individual contributor role that may direct the work of other lower level professionals or manage processes and programs. The majority of time is spent overseeing the design, implementation or delivery of processes, programs and policies using specialized knowledge and skills typically acquired through advanced education. An experienced level role that applies practical knowledge of job area typically obtained through advanced education and work experience. Works independently with general supervision, problems faced are difficult but typically not complex, and may influence others within the job area through explanation of facts, policies and practices.

Job Overview

This clinician is responsible for evaluating and diagnosing problems relating to speech, language, swallowing, and communication disorders. Responsible for formulating and recommending a plan, which may include therapy for the diagnosed problems, referrals for further consultations, extensive speech and language evaluations, or suggestions for a home training program in order to achieve a maximum level of functional independence. This position may work in both an inpatient and outpatient setting. This position is also responsible for documenting all age appropriate patient care appropriately in the medical record to comply with the policies and procedures of the department and Joint Commission requirements.

Job Description

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology.

2. Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech and Hearing Association.

3. Massachusetts state Speech Therapist License.

4. Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification.

5.One (1) year of experience as a Speech Therapist

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Acute care experience.

2. MBS and FEES experience

Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.

1. Evaluates and/or screens patients referred to Speech and Language Pathology with a high degree of professional competency & efficiency while successfully delivering competent care to patients in a continuum of ages from infancy to adulthood.

2. Covers both adult outpatient (swallowing, speech, cognition, language) and adult inpatient acute services

3. Educates and counsels patients, staff, and caregivers on diagnosis, etiology and rehabilitation trajectory

4. Prepares complete written reports of evaluations and progress of individual cases.

5. Selects the appropriate tests, measures, and rehabilitation services, and provide these in a consistent, efficient manner of high-quality patient care.

6. Determines clinical indication and timeline trajectory for instrumental swallowing evaluations.

9. Completes documentation, including evaluation reports, progress notes, periodic re-assessments and d/c summaries in a timely manner. Complies with insurance requirements including obtaining MD signatures and insurance approvals.

11. Develops goals related to hydration/nutrition plan as well as safe provision of medication for acute care setting

12. Educates and in-services staff on clinical skills, acts as a clinical liaison to other staff. Assumes accountability for professional growth and development in order to maintain a high level of clinical competency.

13. Independent with appropriate application, performance and interpretation of FEES and MBS.

13. Collaborates with Respiratory Therapy, Surgical Residents, and Pulmonary on care plan progression for patients with tracheostomy.

14. Keeps abreast of current literature in the field and for acquiring the knowledge and skills regarding new tests, instruments, machines, etc. in the field.

15. May be responsible for initiating and/or participating in research projects, as required.

16. Assist with holiday and weekend coverage PRN via on-call schedule

Physical Requirements:

1. Frequent standing & walking & transferring of patients.

2. Requires manual dexterity using fine hand manipulation to operate computer keyboard, dexterity to provide quantitative testing and manual treatment techniques to a wide variety of patients.

3. Requires ability to see computer screen and reports.

4. Visually assess injury and functional status of patients, audibly assess patient subjective complaints.

Skills & Abilities:

1.Broad foundation of knowledge and skills in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with a wide variety of speech, language, cognitive, and communicative disorders.

2. Demonstrate interpersonal skills including communication, teamwork, and willing to work one-on-one or a group basis.

3. Ability to work independently, to be self-motivated and well organized. Ability to function well in very busy situations.

4. Responsible and reliable.

5. Demonstrates flexibility and able to adjust to changes at a moment's notice.

6. Maturity to operate effectively within a multi-disciplinary setting.

7. Able to work effectively with a wide variety of patients with acute and long term disability.

8. Ability to read/write and communicate in English.

9. Must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to assess the needs of patients of all different age populations in order to provide care appropriately.

10. Ability to observe and evaluate treatment effect and adjust plan of care as appropriate.

11. Demonstrates proper time management skills to attain department productivity while assuring quality patient care.