Speech Therapist

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate, and direct our speech language therapy, as well as its programs and activities, in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern the long-term care facility.

• Meet with administration, medical and nursing staff, as well as other related departments in planning therapy services.

• Develop and maintain speech and language therapy standards.

• Assist in standardizing the methods in which speech and language therapy will be accomplished.

• 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.

• Review speech and language therapy policies, procedures, manuals, job descriptions, etc., at least annually, and participate in making recommended changes.

• Interpret speech and language therapy policies and procedures to personnel, residents, family members, etc., as necessary.

• Participate in discharge planning, development and implementation of resident care plans, resident assessments, etc., as necessary.

• Assist the Quality Assessment and Assurance Coordinator in developing, implementing, and maintaining an ongoing quality assurance program for speech therapy services.

• Assist the Quality Assessment and Assurance Committee in developing and implementing appropriate plans of action to correct identified deficiencies.

• Assume the authority, responsibility and accountability of directing the speech therapy department.

• Maintain current file of residents treated.

• Maintain treatment records, resident files, and progress notes as required.

• Perform administrative duties such as completing medical forms, reports, evaluation, studies, charting, etc., as necessary.

• Provide written and/or oral reports of the speech therapy programs and activities as required.

• Ensure business office receives charges for therapy rendered to residents.

• Review request for speech and language therapy and physicians' orders.

• Interview resident to determine type of treatment and schedule therapy.

• Select rehabilitative and therapeutic activities and exercises based on medical and social history of residents.

• Brief resident of procedures involved in speech and language therapy and prepare necessary equipment.

• Recommend modifications and changes in the resident's therapy treatment as indicated.

• Ensure that all therapist notes are informative and descriptive of the care provided and of the resident's response to the care.

• Maintain an adequate liaison with families and residents.

• Other duties as assigned