HOME HEALTH SPEECH PATHOLOGY-- Per Diem

The Speech Pathologist must be able to travel throughout the Agency service area to provide skilled speech-language pathology services; perform comprehensive evaluations and ongoing reassessments; develop, implement, and modify treatment plans in accordance with physician orders, the plan of care, professional standards, and Agency policies; safely position, transfer, and assist patients as needed using appropriate safe-handling techniques; communicate effectively with patients, families/caregivers, physicians, and the interdisciplinary team; provide patient, family/caregiver, and staff education; complete accurate and timely clinical documentation; participate in care planning, case conferences, hospice IDG meetings, and required Agency activities; maintain confidentiality and comply with applicable safety, infection-control, privacy, and Agency requirements; and use computers, electronic health-record systems, telephones, and therapeutic or adaptive equipment necessary to perform the duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Responsibilities:

      Client Care     

• Accepts referrals and makes timely visits
• Completes initial evaluation (including comprehensive assessment of speech, hearing, communication, oral functioning and swallowing function), identifying problems and setting goals.

              -    Provides speech therapy in accordance with professional standards and the plan of care in consultation with physician

              -    Arranges for equipment required to increase patient's function and independence

              -    Re-evaluates patient in an ongoing manner

              -    Coordinates care with all members of the patient health care team

              -    Evaluates effectiveness and outcome of care

              -    Regularly evaluates patient's progress and discharges patient when goals attained.

              -    Participates in development/revisions in Plan of Care with Agency staff, patient, family, physician and other necessary participants

              -    Completes OASIS assessments at appropriate time points

For hospice patients:

• Treatment planning in consultation with the physician and the IDG to achieve goals
• Goal setting related to needs of hospice patient.
• Provision of specialized hospice training

              -    Participates in discharge planning.  Plans with patient and other members of patient care team for patient's discharge from therapy

• Provides consultation with patient/family and staff as applicable
• Coordinates services with other disciplines as appropriate

              -    Instructs patient/Family and other Agency personnel in patient's treatment regime when indicated.

• Supervises HHA when such personnel are participating in the patient's Speech Therapy regime.
• Evaluates patient’s hearing ability and tests hearing and recommends mechanisms to enhance patient’s hearing ability.

      Documentation

              -    Records all necessary assessments, plans and visit data in a timely manner (within 72 hrs)

              -    Reports to physician and others as required in policies and procedures.

              -    Initial evaluation must be completed within 24 hours of evaluation.  A copy will be sent by office staff to the treating MD.  Orders are completed in the acceptable Agency format and telephone orders must be obtained.  The initial evaluation must include, but not limited to:

1. medical diagnosis
2. functional diagnosis
3. findings
4. problem identification
5. patient safety
6. goal setting (long/short term) in measurable terms and as appropriate for hospice patients
7. treatment provisions
8. Rehab potential
9. physician communication
10. comprehensive medication review, if nursing services not provided

              -    Progress notes for every visit to include:

1. findings
2. problems
3. progress, if any
4. treatment provided, including any equipment ordered or obtained
5. Any patient/family education given and any home program given
6. discharge planning as time of discharge approaches
7. goals for further sessions in measurable terms (outcome measures).

              -    Patient response to therapy intervention

              -    A ten-day, sixty-day and a discharge summary is required

              -    Communication with any member of patient care team

      Referrals  

              -    Identification of patient/family needs for other home health services and referral for same when needed.

      Case Management

              -    Participates in case conferences, case management, team meetings and other   meetings as necessary.

      Organizational

              -    Participates in inservices and provides appropriate documentation of same

              -    Provides in-services as requested

              -    Attends staff meetings as scheduled

      Educational     

              -    Attends yearly OSHA in-service.

              -    Identifies knowledge gaps and remedies this independently.

              -    Attends minimum 12 hours of in-services per year.  For staff caring for Hospice patients, must attend 6 hours of inservice on ‘end of life care’ issues.

              -    Shares information with other Agency personnel.

              -    Certified in CPR.

           Peer Consultation/Record Review

              -    Participates in peer consultation and record review quarterly and QI process as appropriate.

      Consultation

              -    Provides consultation to Agency staff, the community, and physicians as needed

NOTE:      Initial and ongoing assessment of this role may lead to the addition or deletion of responsibilities as they are identified or defined.

                   This role may be performed in addition to other Waveny VNHFC role(s) by a single individual.

All Agency Employees Must:

      ¨   Maintain staff and patient confidentiality.

      ¨   Abide by related Agency policies and appropriate departmental procedures.

• Perform other appropriate duties as required by VNHFC.

HIPAA Security Level

            All patient data

Qualifications:

      -     Master's Degree in Speech and Language Pathology from an accredited college/university

      -     Current State of Connecticut licensure to practice Speech Therapy

      -     Minimum of three years Speech Therapy experience.  One year home care experience preferred.

      -     Meets all State of Connecticut guidelines for licensed home

            care Speech Therapy services

      -     Demonstrates good verbal and written communication skills

      -     Demonstrates ability to work with interdisciplinary team

      -     Follows standards of practice for Speech and Language Pathologist

      -     Ability to demonstrate, teach and supervise