Speech-Language Pathologist

Work Location: Phoenix, AZ

Salary Grade: DOE

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS

A Speech Pathologist/Therapist provides professional services within the scope of Speech Pathologist practice standards in collaboration with primary care physicians, teaches and educates patients and their families, and evaluates and assesses patients therapy needs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

A person who has a masters or doctoral degree in speech-language pathology and who meets either of the following requirements:
1. Licensed as a speech-language pathologist in the state in which the individual furnishes services.
or
2. In the case that the individual provides services in a state that does not license speech-language pathologists, has successfully completed 350 clock hours of supervised clinical practicum (or in the process of accumulating supervised clinical experience) AND performed not less than 9 months of supervised full-time speech-language pathology services after obtaining a masters or doctoral degree in speech-language pathology or a related field AND has successfully completed a national examination in speech-language pathology approved by the secretary.
?A current, active license to practice Speech Therapy in AZ.
?Must have a criminal background check.
?Must have current CPR/First Aid card
?Bilingual (English and Spanish) Required

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES AND COMPETENCIES

* Receives the intake referral information and prepares paperwork/tools necessary for the visit.
* Obtains all pertinent medical history from patient, family or significant others.
* Evaluates patients speech and language abilities, both defects and assets and performs periodic re-evaluation.
* Plans and provides rehabilitative services for speech and language disorders.
* Records type of treatments and patients response on clinical progress notes which are written on the day of the visit and incorporated into the patients medical record within 7 days.
* Assists the physician in evaluating the level of function.

* Helps develop an appropriate and effective ST Plan of Care (POC) to be submitted to the physician for approval and implementation, revising as necessary and at least every 30 days.
* Functionally reassess the patient for on-going therapy.
* Determines medical necessity for other services for the case.
* Selects and administers diagnostic and therapeutic ST techniques and materials.
* Effectively communicates with patient and family the POC and progression of such.
* Effectively communicates with other disciplines in the case (case conferencing).
* Communicates effectively with the Director of Home Health Services regarding scheduled visits planned and changes to the schedule on a weekly basis.
* Instructs and counsels other health team personnel and family members in methods of assisting patient in improving, correcting and accepting his/her speech disabilities.
* Communication with the patients physician (verbally and/or in writing) to obtain effective ST treatment modalities and/or rehabilitative therapy modalities to effect the best means to obtain the desired outcome for the specific medical problem that caused the case to open and/or recertify.
* Communicates in the case conferencing sessions to establish best practices.
* Submits requests for re-authorization of "more visits needed" prior to third party insurers authorized number of visits expiring.
* Coordinates Community Services that may be available to the patient.
* Participates in the QA Committee process as requested.
* Perform clinical record reviews (CRR) per Agency policy in collaboration with the Director of Home Health Services. Submits the CRR timely.
* Participates in ongoing staff meetings and in-services.
* Participates in the growth of the office by being a willing preceptor for newly hired, same discipline employees.
* Participates in the planning, operation and evaluation of the therapy services of the organization.
* Maintains professional licensure and actively seeks out educational experiences to enhance the practice of home care speech therapy for her/himself and the benefit of the patients serviced.
* Notifies the Agency of emergencies, sickness, and other imminent occurrences that may affect the patient caseload as quickly as possible relative to the events occurrence.
* Submits written time requests 2 weeks or more in advance of planned time off.
* Other duties as assigned.

CONTINUOUS EDUCATION

Employee will be expected to participate in continuous learning, competency building and maintenance of competency skills.

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS

* Indoors, performing patient care assessments/tasks in the patients residence.
* Travel to patient residences/meetings; will require transportation to get to various work sites. Vehicle to do routine patient visits, possible transfer/lifting devices, medical supplies, ST adaptive devices.
* Possible exposure to communicable diseases.
* Able to access patients homes that may not be handicap accessible.
* Able to hear, speak, understand and communicate effectively in English
* On a daily basis: walking, standing, sitting, reaching, use of telephone, use of computers & other office equipment, bending, stooping, climbing stairs.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Reports to and is supervised directly by the Director of Home Health Services. Employee is also accountable for understanding and complying with CPLC policies and procedures.