The primary purpose of your job position is to plan, organize, develop, and direct Speech Therapy Services in accordance with current applicable federal, state and local standards, guidelines and regulations, and as may be directed by the administrator, to assure that the highest degree of quality resident care can be maintained at all times.

DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY

As the Speech Therapist you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties.

JOB FUNCTIONS

Every effort has been made to make your job description as complete as possible. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties that you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is a logical assignment to the position.

RISK EXPOSURE CATEGORIES

1 = Tasks may involve exposure to blood/body fluids.
2 = Tasks do not involve exposure to blood/body fluids but could result in performing a Category 1 task.
3 = Tasks do not involve exposure to blood/body fluids.

ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS:

• Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate, and direct speech therapy, as well as its programs and activities, in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern the long-term care facility.3
• Meet with administration, medical and nursing staff, as well as other related departments in planning therapy services.3
• Develop and maintain speech therapy standards.3 Assist the Quality Assessment & Assurance Committee in developing and implementing appropriate plans of action to correct identified deficiencies.3
• Interpret speech therapy policies and procedures to personnel, residents, family members, etc., as necessary.3
• Review speech therapy policies, procedures, manuals, job descriptions, etc., at least annually, and participate in making recommended changes.
• Participate in discharge planning, development and implementation of resident care plans, resident assessments, etc., as necessary.3
• Perform administrative duties such as completing medical forms, reports, evaluations, studies, charting, etc. as necessary.3
• Maintain a current file of residents treated.3
• Work with the facility's consultants as necessary and implement recommended changes as required.3
• Maintain treatment records, resident files, and progress notes as required.3
• Ensure business office receives charges for therapy rendered to residents.3
• Assist in standardizing the methods in which speech therapy will be accomplished.3
• Maintain an adequate liaison with families and residents.3
• Maintain a reference library of written therapy material, laws, etc., necessary for complying with current standards and regulations, and that will provide assistance in maintaining quality resident care.3
• Assist in Quality Assessment and Assurance Coordinator in developing, implementing, and maintaining an ongoing quality assurance program for speech therapy services.3
• Make written and oral reports/recommendations to the administrator, as necessary/required, concerning the operation of the speech therapy department. 3
• Assume the authority, responsibility and accountability of directing the speech therapy service.3
• Others as deemed necessary and appropriate, or as may be directed by the administrator .3

COMMITTEE FUNCTIONS

Serve on, participate in, and/or attend Provide written and/or oral reports of the required. 3 Evaluate and implement recommendations from established committees as they may pertain to speech therapy services when appropriate. 2

PERSONNEL FUNCTIONS

• Determine the staffing needs of the speech therapy department necessary to meet the needs of the residents.3
• Recommend the member and level of speech therapy personnel to be employed.3
• Assist the administrator and/or the personnel director in the recruitment and selection of competent speech therapy personnel.3
• Provide guidance and training for new and/or less experienced personnel.2
• Develop work assignments and schedule duty hours. 3
• Develop, maintain, and periodically update the written procedure for ensuring that professional speech personnel have valid and current licenses as required by this state. 3
• Review complaints and grievances made or riled by department personnel.3
• Make appropriate reports to the administrator as required or as may be necessary, including departmental performance evaluations.3
• Maintain an excellent working relationship with the medical profession and other health related facilities and organizations.3
• Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the department.3
• Meet with and solicit advice from other department supervisors concerning speech therapy, assist in identifying and correcting problem areas, and/or the improvement of services.3

NURSING CARE AND CONSULTATION FUNCTIONS

• Review request for speech therapy and physicians' orders.3
• Screen residents to determine type of treatment and schedule therapy if appropriate. 3
• Select rehabilitation and therapeutic activities and exercises based on medical and social history of residents and long-term goals of the resident and family.3
• Evaluate type of therapy most desirable after consulting with physician.3
• Demonstrate to residents and staff personnel, as necessary, the procedures involved in the treatment process that they can assist with.2
• Recommend modifications and changes in the resident's therapy treatment as indicated.3
• Assist in transporting resident to and from speech therapy room.area.2
• Perform speech therapy in resident's room as necessary. 1
• Instruct and supervise resident during therapy.3
• Brief resident of procedures involved in occupational therapy and prepare necessary equipment.3
• Prepare resident for treatment by dress/position and administer speech therapy in accordance with established policies and procedures.2
• Reassure resident before and during therapy treatment.3
• Assure all therapist notes are informative and descriptive of the care provided and of the resident's response to the care.3
• Participate in the development and implementation of resident assessments (MDS) and care plans, including quarterly reviews.3

STAFF DEVELOPMENT

Develop and participate in programs designed for in-service education, on the job training and orientation classes for newly assigned personnel. (Includes maintaining appropriate record keeping requirements of when classes are held, subject matter, attendance, etc.)3 Develop, implement, and maintain an effective orientation program that orients the new employee to the facility, its policies and procedures, and to his/her job position and duties.3 Participate and assist in departmental studies and projects as assigned or that may become necessary.3 Attend and participate in workshops, seminars, etc., to keep abreast of current changes in the health care field, as well as to maintain a professional status.3

SAFETY AND SANITATION

• Assist in developing safety standards for the speech therapy department.3
• Assure that therapy personnel, residents, visitors, etc., follow established departmental policies and procedures at all times, including appropriate dress codes.3
• Be alert for resident safety during any/all therapy.3
• Comply with established safety precautions at all times.3
• Assist the Infection Control Coordinator in the development, implementation, and revising of written aseptic and isolation techniques.2
• Ensure that therapy personnel follow established infection control procedures and universal precautions when performing duties.3
• Assure that the therapy area is maintained in a clean and safe manner for resident comfort and convenience by assuring that necessary equipment and supplies are maintained to perform such duties/services.2
• Develop, implement, and maintain a procedure for reporting hazardous conditions or equipment.3
• Assist in identifying and classifying departmental procedures that involve exposure to blood or body fluids. Update as necessary. 3

EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLY FUNCTIONS

Provide necessary material/equipment for resident to perform required therapy.3 Recommend to the administrator the equipment and supply needs of the department .3 Develop and implement procedures for the safe operation of all speech therapy equipment.3 Ensure that all personnel operate speech therapy equipment in a safe manner. 3 Develop and implement procedures that ensure speech therapy supplies are used in an efficient manner to avoid waste.3

CARE PLAN FUNC110NS

Assist in developing speech therapy plans for individual residents in coordination and conjunction with the resident assessment (MDS).3 Review the speech therapy requirements of each resident admitted to the facility and assist the attending physician in planning for the resident's care.3 Assure that care plans indicate speech therapy when such therapy is ordered.3 Participate in the development and implementation of care plans, including quarterly reviews.3

BUDGET AND PLANNING FUNCTIONS

Prepare and plan the speech therapy budget and submit to the administrator for his/her review, recommendations, and/or approval.3 Keep abreast of economics conditions/situations, and recommend to the administrator adjustments in speech therapy that ensure the continued ability to provide quality care.3

RESIDENT RIGHTS

• Maintain in confidentiality of all resident care infonnation.3
• Ensure that all speech therapy personnel are knowledgeable of the residents' rights and responsibilities.3
• Ensure that resident's rights to fair and equitable treatment, self determination, individuality, privacy, property and civil rights, including the right to wage a complaint, are well established and maintained at all times.3
• Review complaints and grievances made by the resident, families, and/or visitors and make oral/written reports to the administrator indicating what action(s) were taken to resolve the complaint or grievance.3
• Maintain a written record of the resident's complaints and/or grievances that indicates the action taken to resolve the complaint and the current status of the complaint.3
• Abide by the resident's decision whether or not to participate in treatment.3
• Inform the resident of consequences of not participating in prescribed therapy and document such action in the resident's clinical record.3
• Allow the resident to participate in the planning and scheduling of his or her treatment.3

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Works in office areas, therapy rooms, resident rooms, etc.
• Sits, stands, bends, lift~ and moves intermittently during working hours.
• Is subject to frequent interruptions.
• Is involved with physicians, residents, families, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.
• Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, personnel, and visitors.
• Communicates with the medical staff, nursing personnel, and other department supervisors.
• Works beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays when necessary, as well as assist in other positions as needed.
• Must be constantly alert for resident safety.
• Attends and participate in continuing educational programs as may be required by current regulations.
• Is subject to falls, burns from equipment, odors, assaults from hostile residents, etc., throughout the work day.
• Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.
• Is subject to lifting, carrying and supporting residents.
• Maintains a liaison with the residents, their families, other departments, etc., to adequately plan for the resident's speech therapy needs.

EDUCATING REQUIREMENTS

Must possess, as a minimum, a Master's Degree in Speech - Language Pathology from an accredited college or university.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess a current, unencumbered license to practice as a Speech Therapist in this state.
• Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.
• Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
• Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the general public.
• Must be a minimum of twenty-three (23) years of age.
• Must be knowledgeable of speech therapy procedures.
• Must possess leadership and supervisory ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with professional and non-professional personnel.
• Must possess the ability to plan, organize, develop, implement and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies, procedures, etc., of the speech therapy service.
• Must maintain the care and use of supplies, equipment, etc., and maintain the appearance of therapy areas.
• Must have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition and enthusiasm as well as be willing to handle residents based on whatever maturity level in which they are currently functioning.
• Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing therapy practices.
• Must be able to relate information concerning a resident's condition.

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS (With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices)

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the work day.
• Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner.
• Must be able to cope with the mental, emotional, and physical stress of the position.
• Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to assure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.
• Must function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel, support agencies, and outside agencies.
• Must be in good health and demonstrate emotional stability.
• Must be able to relate to and work with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and, at times, hostile people within the facility.
• Must be able to lift, push, pull, and move a minimum of 50 pounds.
• Must be able to assist in the evacuation of residents.
• Must be willing to perform tasks that may involve exposure to the resident's blood/body fluids.