SPEECH THERAPIST

Job Purpose: Restores or develops patient's ability to communicate by planning and administering medically prescribed speech therapy. Full and part time positions available. Salary commensurate with experience.  Home visit practice.



Duties:

* Meets patient's goals and needs and provides quality care by assessing patient's condition; interpreting evaluations and test results; identifying speech, language, voice, and swallowing disorders; determining speech therapy treatment plans in consultation with physicians or by prescription.



* Helps patients accomplish treatment plan by training with audiovisual equipment, sound- activated computer systems, and electronic voice machines; providing counseling and guidance; providing development therapy; interpreting specialized hearing and speech tests; instructing individuals in monitoring their own speech; teaching manual sign language; providing ways to practice skills; directing aides, technicians, and assistants.



* Evaluates effects of speech therapy by observing patient's progress; recommending adjustments and modifications.



* Completes discharge planning by consulting with physicians, nurses, social workers, and other health care workers; contributing to patient care conferences.



* Assures continuation of therapeutic plan following discharge by designing home exercise programs; instructing patients, families, and caregivers in home exercise programs; recommending and/or providing assistive equipment; recommending outpatient or home health follow-up programs.



* Documents patient care services by completing charting in patient and department records.



* Maintains patient confidence and protects hospital operations by keeping information confidential.



* Maintains safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations.



* Protects patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols.



* Ensures operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; following manufacturer's instructions; troubleshooting malfunctions; calling for repairs.



* Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies.



* Develops speech therapy and hospital staff by providing information; developing and conducting in-service training programs.



* Complies with federal, state, and local legal and certification requirements by studying existing and new legislation; anticipating future legislation; enforcing adherence to requirements; advising management on needed actions.



* Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.



Skills/Qualifications:

Problem Solving, Creating a Safe, Effective Environment, Teamwork, Use of Medical Technologies, Self-Development, Verbal Communication, Listening, Physiological Knowledge, Dependability, Bedside Manner, Medical Teamwork