Overview JOB SUMMARY
The Staff Speech Pathologist organizes and coordinates speech pathology treatment programs. He/she participates in direct patient evaluation and treatment to facilitate and/or restore speech, language, cognitive and swallowing functions and collaborates with interdisciplinary treatment team. EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, TRAINING Master’s Degree in Speech Pathology preferred. Valid California Speech Pathology License (or eligible). Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA), or eligible. Current BLS, American Heart Association
Responsibilities
Accurately records billing for services rendered: matches documentation, legible, timely (same day) Regularly provides billed services 75% of productive time. Completes 100% of PAI/ FIM data by due dates: Admissions – by 3rd day Discharge – by 5th day Able to plan daily work so as to avoid unnecessary overtime. Consistently coordinates schedule to achieve maximum productivity and efficiency during the assigned shift. Willing to adjust personal schedule in case of real departmental need or to accommodate treatments that have not been attended to during the regular shift. Volunteers to assist in emergency situations, e.g. weekend illness of therapist, extreme staffing urgency, etc. Provide helpful suggestions and contributes ideas to enhance Rehab services or patient care. Willing to participate in implementing change. Provides in service education to department following attendance at outside continuing education and professional development. Identifies opportunities for quality improvement within department and actively participates in quality improvement activities or on CQI teams. Attends required in service/ orientation education programs and/or hospital meetings.
- Eg: GHO, Disaster, Infection Control, Hazardous materials, etc.
- Completes annual Re-orientation and Growth & Development by anniversary due date.
- Provide in service instruction to peers, support staff, and/or nursing staff based on identified needs.
- Develops and meets instructional objectives.
- Instructs in style appropriate to learning style of participants.
- Checks for understanding.
- Provides supervision to clinical interns as the clinical instructor.
- Promotes a positive learning environment while maintaining expectations for entry level competency achievement.
- Completes associated documentation and paperwork as needed.
- Coaches interns to achieve optimal performance.
- Identifies department needs/ problems (eg. special projects) and offers assistance and/or solutions.
- Assesses patient’s response to treatment and adapts program and/or approach as necessary.
- Reports any changes in patient’s condition or behavior to appropriate personnel: nursing, supervisor, or physician.
- Always contacts physician when there is a question concerning the prescribed patient order.
- Responsible for the completion of all procedures and treatments scheduled during shift; requests assistance of others or re-schedules as necessary.
- Always informs the patient of re-scheduled treatments.
- Actively participates in peer review/ case presentations.
- Responsible for the day to day management of service area; arranges for patient care coverage when staff are ill or unavailable.
- Promotes efficient, cost-effective staffing, while ensuring quality patient care.
- Provides supervision and direction to staff while promoting staff independence and learning Promotes teamwork at all times within the department and the facility.
- Sets an example for other staff by demonstrating willingness to be a team player, places patient, department and facility needs as priorities.
- Demonstrates teamwork by cooperating and performing duties in a way that helps co-workers through the hospital perform their duties Always ensures optimal level of Speech therapy services.
- Completes all required paperwork associated with a new ST order: Evaluation; Clarification of Orders; Plan of Care; Education form; Progress Note; initial PAI/ FIM (Rehab).
- Ensures timely and accurate completion of appropriate evaluations and establishes realistic and measurable goals and treatment plans Always ensures effective documentation of patient’s status and progress by maintaining accurate and timely medical records.
- Regularly assesses the needs of each patient and formulates appropriate short term and long term goals with focus on the areas of speech, language, cognition and swallowing Regularly shares information regarding the patient’s disabilities and capabilities with appropriate staff to facilitate understanding of the patient’s needs.
- Always documents and writes evaluation reports, weekly team conference and D/C summaries using clear, concise and objective data.
- Regularly maintains active and supportive communication with the patient and other appropriate persons concerning progress, problems, home program and other issues related to the therapy process.
- Instructs and counsels patients and their families regarding the types and course of treatments Consistently demonstrates ability to appropriately terminate treatment, plans for patients D/C in a timely manner, and makes referrals for continued therapy as an outpatient, or for home health care.
- Regularly observes levels of fatigue, pain, vital signs, etc., and makes necessary judgments affecting patient care, ceases treatment if the patient shows signs of frustration and/or fatigue.
- Notifies physician, nursing or appropriate staff as needed.
- Always skillfully and safely progresses the patient through the levels of treatment within the maximum capabilities of the patient.
- Always orients the patient, family and other appropriate parties to the purposes and procedures of rehabilitation.
- Always employs sound professional judgment in choosing evaluation tools and treatment techniques; and administers evaluations and treatments in the most appropriate setting depending on the patient’s medical status and/or disability.
- Always requests assistance when unable to solve problem or unsure of a procedure.
- As required, develops home and supplemental programs.
- As required, conducts and/or participates in in- service training of medical and rehab staff in swallowing and speech therapy programs.
- As requested, provides direction to CFY, aides, speech students to ensure optimum level of treatment for patients.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
