Speech Language Pathologist (Part-Time or Full-Time available)

Description

Lexington Regional Health Center

Title: Speech Language Pathologist

Effective Date: October 24, 2021

Supervisor: Director of Rehabilitation Services 

Department: Rehabilitation Services

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Principle duties and responsibilities

1. Evaluate and reevaluate patient to determine limitations to establish plan of care and modify as patient status requires.
2. Administers speech therapy procedures and modalities for the purpose of achieving treatment plan objectives.
3. Review patient medical history to determine contraindications and precautions with modalities/interventions.
4. Establish plan of care and progress based on patient limitations to maintain or improve patient’s functional status.
5. Document evaluation, reevaluation, recertification and daily progress to record subjective, objective, assessment and plan.
6. Educate patient and family/caregivers on condition, plan of care and home program to enhance therapist-patient relationship, optimize patient compliance and facilitate optimum results.
7. Complete charges accurately to reflect services provided to patient and submit in a timely manner.
8. Transport self to different clinic locations or for Home Health visits to complete treatment plan on patients.
9. Communicate patient status to referring provider, case managers or interdisciplinary team to enhance quality and transition of care.
10. Complete required continuing education hours as set forth by State of Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services regulations for Speech Language Pathologist to ensure competency.
11. Participates in patient care activities that could include blood exposure and risk to bloodborne pathogens (eg: lacerations, handling of blood-contaminated specimens, etc.)  
12. Responsible for safe bagging and disposal of biohazardous waste. 
13. Responsible for ensuring the environment meets appropriate governing body standards. 
14. Ensure patients and visitors follow current infection control guidelines.   
15. Maintains patient and staff safety through the use of patient safety tools (Teamstepps, Just Culture, etc.).
16. Regular attendance at the assigned work location is required.
17. Performs all other duties as assigned.

Minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities

1. Requires education level at a minimum of a Master’s degree in speech-language pathology from an accredited school with licensure by the Nebraska Board of Speech Language Pathology.
2. Current Basic Life Support certification via American Heart Association required within six months of hire and/or orientation.
   
3. Able to maintain strict confidentiality with regard to protected and sensitive information.  
4. Able to solve problems independently and confidently by applying analytical and logical thinking.
5. Able to use standard office equipment and software proficiently.
6. Able to read, analyze, and interpret reports, general business directives, policy and procedure statements, and governmental regulations.
7. Able to complete reports and correspondence at a professional level.
8. Able to immediately respond to common inquiries and complaints from patients, employees and regulatory agencies.
9. Able to effectively communicate with individuals from diverse backgrounds and varying educational levels.  
10. Able to effectively organize and present information and respond to questions from employees and external groups of varying sizes.  
11. Successful completion of required knowledge and training of standard precaution and transmission protocols and when to apply during principle duties and responsibilities. 

Working conditions

1. Normal patient care environment, well lighted and ventilated with minimal exposure to excessive noise, dust, temperature, etc.  
2. Occasional exposure to infection and/or contagious diseases when working with patients.  
3. May require performing therapy services in the following locations, not limited to: processing plant/industrial environment, patient’s home, hospital environment, skilled nursing facility/assistive living facility, school environment. May also include aquatic therapy environment at temperatures exceeding 90 degrees and high humidity environment.  
4. Physical Requirements: Patient transferring required during routine care and emergencies, up to 35 pounds, 10-20% of work time. Patient transportation in wheelchair 40 horizontal force pounds up to 300 feet 1% of work time. Moving of inpatient bed to help patient transferring for safe and appropriate care up to 60 horizontal force pounds 1-2 feet 5% of work time. Transportation of laundry, equipment, and patient charts in lock box per patient privacy regulations up to 20 pounds for laundry and equipment and up to 25 pounds for patient chart lock box into vehicle, 1% of work day up to 2x/day. Outpatient care requiring transferring various weights to be used for specific exercise up to 10 pounds, 35% of time. Outpatient care requiring body positioning to apply various manual therapy techniques, ambulating various distances for gait training, patient care, and miscellaneous activities, and requiring reaching in various directions to demonstrate exercise, clerical work, and to provide manual contact cues, up to 60% of work time. Various positions and mechanics are used for proper control and safety for therapist and patient to prevent injury.
5. Direct exposure to body substances during patient care activities and on contaminated surfaces such as patient equipment. 

 Management responsibilities

1. Work in collaboration with Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants, Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Assistants, Speech Therapists and on site staff. 

Job description statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this job title. They are not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required.