Speech Therapist

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:

1. Current or temporary Speech-LanguagePathologist licensure in the state where services will be provided:

MD:  Speech Language Pathologist LicenseOR Limited Speech Language Pathologist License through Maryland Board of Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers and Speech-Language Pathologists

OH: Speech Pathologists LicenseOR Temporary Speech Language Pathologist License through Ohio Speech and Hearing Professionals Board

PA: Speech Language Pathologist License through Pennsylvania Board of Examiners in Speech Language and Hearing

WV: Licensed Speech Language Pathologist LicenseOR Provisional Speech Language PathologistLicense through the West Virginia Board of Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology

2. Current ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competency in Speech Language Pathology OR must be obtained within 48 months of hire.

3. Obtain certification in Basic Life Support within 30 days of hire date.

CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position.  They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties.  Other duties may be assigned.

1. Provides coordinated and comprehensive patient care including assessment, expected outcomes, rehabilitation interventions and evaluation with an interdisciplinary team approach.
2. Evaluates speech, language, swallowing, and cognitive-linguistic needs and develops and implements the treatment programs for assigned patients to provide coordinated and comprehensive patient care including assessment, expected outcomes, and rehabilitation interventions within an interdisciplinary team approach.  Determines/revises priorities for direct/indirect patient care activities based on patient need and available resources. Documents all treatments, according to department policies and procedures, as monitored by supervision, by documentation review, and consultation with referring Provider
3. Performs evaluation of patient response to tasks performed and delegated.
4. Participates in the Performance Improvement program of the Rehabilitation Services department with emphasis on speech therapy, to assure the delivery of appropriate, timely, and cost-effective services.
5. May supervise assigned graduate assistants/interns, students and volunteers. Assigns schedules for students to participate in evaluation and treatment of patients conducted in the clinical setting. Approves graduate student lesson plans, reports, documentation in hospital EMR, or appropriate written communication for assigned patients. Provides feedback to students during supervised sessions. Discusses techniques, goals, and materials to be used in therapy sessions. Provides written evaluation of student performance at the end of the semester.

For facilities with specialty accreditation requirements:

1. Completion of annual required education related to specialty accreditation as defined by accreditation standards.  Training may be completed through CBLs, trainings, In-services, and competency validation.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. The national Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommends minimizing the need for employees to manually lift patients, and limit safe patient handling to 35 pounds.  All transfers, lifts and re-positioning will be completed utilizing the lift equipment and/or other patient handling aids as indicated by the patient’s profile and appropriate algorithms.   Details specific to therapeutic interventions outlined in Safe Patient Mobility Policy where applicable.
2. Heavy/Hard work:  Workrequires strength and/or stamina, lifting, moving, stooping, reaching, standing, walking, and carrying of materials and equipment weighing 40+lbs.
3. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Exposure to communicable diseases, body fluids and different types of cleaning and laundry chemicals.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Ability to organize and prioritize time and tasks to achieve a well-coordinated work effort and to effectively meet work schedules including an ability to integrate multiple factors which may have an impact on patient care.