Speech Therapist

Description

 Pay Range: $38.23-$57.34 per hour based on experience and qualifications 

Summary: Implements, with minimal supervision, high quality speech-language pathology services for patients, caregivers, and facility in accordance with the principles and practices of speech language pathology and with SPRHC policies and procedures. Provides quality patient care while maintaining positive level of interaction with facilities and clients. Enhances and expands client relations with facilities and their staff.

Essential Job Functions:

· Optimizes communication abilities and skills of patients in client facilities by performing the following activities:

Screening of appropriate patients. 

Evaluating and treating all patients who could benefit from intervention as prescribed by a state approved referral source.

Appropriately documenting progress toward identified objectives.

Communicating patient status and needs to the patient, the patient’s family, the staff and other professionals.

· Builds a strong rehabilitative care practice within each facility by performing or directing therapy staff in the following activities:

Establishing and maintaining courteous and helpful interaction patterns with staff, patients and families which reflect sensitivity to individual needs and a problem-solving approach.

Actively integrating the therapist’s role into facility team.

Educating staff, other health care professionals, and the general community about speech therapy.

Attending facility patient care, utilization review, marketing, administrative staff/department head and family conference committee meetings on a consistent basis.

Establishing and maintaining a good working relationship with other health care professionals and colleagues in the community.

Making appropriate referrals to other members of the rehabilitative team (PT and OT).

Developing and implementing new programs/techniques to enhance speech therapy services and facility utilization.

Adhering to established facility policies and procedures related to environmental safety, orderliness, risk management, infection control and emergency situations.

Adhering to the requirements of the patient’s Bill of Rights.

· Continues professional development by:

Expanding and enhancing clinical expertise, professional and management skills through interaction and managers, therapists and other professional staff, self-study, and continuing education functions as approved.

Maintaining a valid state license (where appropriate).

Obtaining membership and participating in professional and community organizations.

Maintaining an awareness of issues related to the profession of speech language pathology and the health care environment. 

· Required Physical Characteristics:

Ability to assist with lifting patients using appropriate biomechanical techniques occasionally throughout the course of the eight (8) hour day/shift; must be capable of easily lifting thirty (30) pounds dead weight alone.

Ability to walk, bend, stand and reach constantly during an eight (8) hour day/shift.

Visual acuity (near and distant) sufficient to evaluate, diagnose and monitor patient needs and to maintain accurate records, recognize people and provide directions.

Ability to hear and speak sufficient to evaluate, diagnose and monitor patient needs to maintain accurate records, recognize people and provide directions.

Ability to push wheeled equipment throughout the facility and in the community.

Fine motor skills for legible and accurate writing of reports, charting, scheduling, daily correspondence, and presentations, either manually or through use of dictation equipment.

Fine motor skills for handling diagnostic or therapeutic equipment.

Work endurance ability to work eight (8) hour days/shifts with a half an hour lunch break.

Ability to participate in sustained activity for up to three and one-half (3.5) hours at a time.

· Required Cognitive and Psychosocial Characteristics

· Exhibits positive personal, professional, and work ethic and high motivation through consistent demonstration of professional work behavior including the following:

Meets deadlines.

Maintains an efficient work schedule.

Maintains a high level of productivity as a “self-starter” and strives to eliminate excessive “down-time” during the day.

Adheres to time-off policies and procedures and refrains from excessive absences.

Exhibits the willingness and ability to give and receive oral and written direction.

Functions satisfactorily in high stress situations.

· Consistently demonstrates cooperative behavior by remaining flexible and exhibiting a positive team spirit as follows:

Demonstrates sensitivity to the concerns of patients, families, and staff.

Collaborates with team members to meet the changing demands of the therapy environment and schedules.

Uses problem-solving skills to work with patients, families, staff and other team members to aid in providing high quality care.

Requirements

Minimum Required Education/Experience: Hold a master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology (may be dually certified in audiology). Hold a valid state license.

Pre-Employment Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: 

• Ability to operate general office equipment including computer software applications.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with the public, other agencies, employees, and administration.

Note: An acceptable combination of education, training and experience that provides the above knowledge, abilities and skills may be substituted.

Necessary Special Requirements: Must obtain annual flu vaccination and any job-specific immunizations. Required to submit to a two-step PPD test.

Licenses or Certificates: If driving, a valid driver’s license and ability to be insured as a facility driver 

Unusual Demands: Work is subject to recurring and inflexible deadlines and frequent interruptions. 

Benefits:

All Employees are eligible for:

· Employee Assistance Program

· 403B retirement fund options (employer match after one year of employment)

Full and part-time positions are eligible for:

· Medical benefits including telehealth options

· Dental and vision benefits

· Basic life insurance and AD&D (employer paid)

· Supplemental Life/AD&D

· Paid Time Off

· Short-term disability (employer paid)

· Critical Illness Insurance

· Accident Insurance

· Legal Insurance

· Identity protection

· Cafeteria Meal Discount

· Tour of Duty (Paid temporary housing for those who qualify)

If you’re considering joining our team this position will be open for a minimum of 5 days or until filled.