Responsible to:  Director of Therapies

Qualifications:

1. Currently licensed by the State of Texas with the requirements for the certificate of clinical competence in Speech-Language Pathology by the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association or
2. Meets the education requirements for certification and is in the process of accumulating the supervised experience required for certification.

Job Summary:

The Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) conducts assessments and reassessments of rehabilitation needs and potential. The SLP also plans, implements, and supervises therapeutic programs, which include patient teaching and therapeutic activities to improve or restore communicative and swallowing abilities.

Physical Requirements:

Visual/hearing ability sufficient to comprehend written/verbal communication. Must be able to work eight (8) hours per day while driving, standing, sitting, and completing reports and documentation.

Degrees of Travel

Must have a car with current insurance coverage and a State driver’s license.

Degrees of Disruption to Routine, Overtime

Must be able to adapt to client status and needs as directed. Schedule changes daily due to client condition, needs, etc.

Safety Hazards in Job

Possible infections from clients. Possible auto accident. Possible unsafe neighborhoods.

Duties and Responsibilities

Patient records:

1. Conducts assessments and reassessments of patient Communication and swallowing disorders by applying diagnostic and prognostic procedures.
2. Plans, implements, and supervises an individualized therapeutic program designed to restore and/or improve communicative activities of daily living, and to treat swallowing disorders.
3. Coordinates and collaborates with the Administrator or designated professional, to ensure therapeutic plan of care is met and continued.
4. Guides and teaches the patient in techniques, exercises, or precautions designed to improve the patient’s ability to swallow and communicate.
5. Instructs other agency personnel and patient family members in activities of speech therapy so that they may safely and effectively assist the patient.
6. Observes, records, and reports the patient’s reaction to treatment and any changes in the patient’s condition or treatment. Documents the extent of the patient’s involvement in the decisions affecting his/her care.
7. Participates in patient case conferences to coordinate the patient’s plan of care and promote a positive therapeutic outcome.
8. Participates and meets deadlines as required in continuous assessment and evaluation of the agency via Quarterly Record Review, or the Quality Assurance/Improvement Program.
9. Follows state guidelines and maintains appropriate documentation when supervising an Assistant and/or Intern in speech-language pathology.
10. Checks and responds to messages, texts, and or emails within 24 hours.
11. Maintain code of ethics set by the American Speech Language Hearing Association.

Initiative/Planning:

Demonstrates initiative and skills in planning and organizing work

1. Demonstrates a desire find increasingly efficient ways to perform tasks.
2. Completes work, care and documentation with accuracy (including signatures on notes, time in/out, care plan dates, etc.)
3. Completes work within agency time frames.
4. Maximizes efforts to meet scheduled POC
5. Requires minimal supervision and is self-directed.

Mission/Agency Standards:

Demonstrates organizational awareness and commitment

1. Understands and appropriately applies the chain of command in relation to job position and supervision.
2. Knows and understands the agency mission in relation to own job position.
3. Protects and honors customer and coworker confidentiality.
4. Respects customers’ and coworkers’ right to privacy.

Observes attendance and attire policies

1. Meets attendance and punctuality expectations.
2. Demonstrates cooperation with requests to meet agency needs.
3. Consistently adheres to agency dress codes.

Complies with all other related policies, procedures and requests

1. Recommends and/or supports changes to policies and procedures.
2. Demonstrates knowledge of policies and procedures applicable to own job position.
3. Adheres to policies and procedures. Honors requests of management for interim rules.

Conserves agency resources

1. Maintains agency resources: company time (own and other employees), property (supplies and equipment) in a manner that demonstrates ownership and accountability. 
2. Maintains the work area to reduce the likelihood for safety hazards and to enhance its general appearance. 
3. Promotes cost consciousness.

Exhibits behaviors of cooperation

1. Builds loyalty among other team members and departments (clinician and non-clinical staff).
2. Frequently uses opportunities to work with others, share knowledge, and help others succeed.
3. Contributes to teamwork, and harmonious working relationships.
4. Actively seeks to eliminate conflicts and assist in problem solving.

Service Excellence

1. Consistently and willingly provides assistance and useful information to meet patient needs; takes appropriate actions to prove accurate information; assumes ownership of issues and takes appropriate steps to correct problems.
2. Verifies understanding of patient/caregiver needs and incorporates in plan of care as clinically appropriate.
3. Identifies and utilizes motivating factors during therapy sessions.

Personal/Professional Development:

Continuing education and personal/professional development responsibilities

1. Maintains professional licensure/certification (if applicable.)
2. Maintains current personnel file information and provides information to agency in timely manner.
3. Sets own development challenges and volunteers to learn.
4. Adheres to agency infection control and safety policies, including education, reporting, and practice implementation specific to job position.
5. Attends agency provided in-service programs to fulfill requirements of position and agency policies.

Exhibits adaptability, flexibility, self-control and maturity in work and behavior.

1. Develops work relationships that honor and respect others’ strengths and abilities.
2. Maintains positive behavior patterns even during challenging and/or difficult situations.