Speech Language Pathologist

Company:

Providence at Home with Compassus

Position Summary

The speech-language pathologist (SLP) is responsible for speech therapy evaluations, treatment planning, implementation and discharge planning for clients in the home setting in accordance with established facility/agency policies while maintaining the highest degree of quality client care. As a member of the multi-disciplinary Homecare team, the speech-language pathologist assumes responsibility for communication of client related issues for appropriate team members or other agency staff and participates in the collection and evaluation of data necessary to assess the appropriateness of care at home. The Speech-language pathologist also assumes responsibility for those clients being treated by speech therapy assistants and home health aides and may be assigned to orient staff and students. The Homecare Speech-language pathologist works with the clients and family in the home setting without direct supervision.

Position Specific Responsibilities

• Evaluates physical and functional status as well as cognitive, psychological and perceptual function to determine the client's capabilities to function safely at home.

• The home and family/caregiver are assessed for safety risks, and ability to support and care for the client at home.

• Results are utilized to develop a therapy plan of care in collaboration with the client's physician.
• The plan of care is communicated with the multidisciplinary Homecare team to form a collaborative client care plan.
• Provides care in accordance with physician orders and the established plan of care.
• Assesses the effectiveness of treatment and modifies treatment to achieve goals.
• Produces expected results given present skill, knowledge, abilities, training and education for the following age groups: adolescent, adult, geriatric.
• Demonstrates an ability to treat the wide range of diagnoses and be knowledgeable in therapy treatments, goals and contraindications for treatment.
• Treatments are adapted to the unique home setting and to the client and/or caregiver's ability to follow through safely and correctly.
• Requests consultation supervision or continuing education when appropriate, to learn specialized techniques or treatment approaches.
• Provides client/family education and counseling regarding issues related to rehabilitation treatments and goals, safety risks and/or other issues within scope of practice.
• Teaches home exercise programs and compensatory techniques or skills for managing ongoing physical or functional deficits in the home.
• Provides case management of the client's care plan and provides supervision and ongoing coordination of services and resources as indicated in the client's care plan.
• Communicates pertinent medical and clinical information to the client's physician, including information regarding the client's care plan, implementation of changes per physician order and assuring adequate medical follow-up.
• Also communicates pertinent information to team members, supervisor, and facility/agency staff and external sources as appropriate.
• Plans for discharge.
• Participates in team reassessments and discharge planning.
• Teaches client or family discharge therapy program.
• Recommends and facilitates appropriate medical and/or rehabilitation followed up once Homecare services have been discontinued.
• May provide bereavement visits to family members.
• Evaluates, recommends and assists in obtaining adaptive equipment such as communication devices.
• Fabricates adaptive equipment as needed.
• Adapts equipment and techniques for use to the home setting assuring optimum function and safety.
• Provides consultation or makes appropriate referrals regarding resources and barriers in the community.
• Independently manages own case load, plans and schedules home visits coordinating with other team members as needed to maximize effectiveness of overall care plan.
• Organizes weekly schedule to attend required meetings within schedule of client care needs.
• Responds to urgent client needs by prioritizing and triaging treatments.
• Communicates schedule and work plan to scheduling coordinator, supervisor and other team members as appropriate.
• Organizes and coordinates