Speech Therapist II

POSITION SUMMARY:
To provide a full range of language pathology services in a home care setting, under general clinical supervision; to perform/participate in speech language pathology education to staff patients and others
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION STANDARDS:
I. Education:
Master’s Degree in Speech Pathology
II. Experience:
Three or more years of speech language pathology experience with home care experience desired, with a strong job performance record
III. License Requirements:
Vermont Profession License and Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech Language Pathology
IV. General:
• Must demonstrate and maintain any required competency
• Able to speak, read and write in English
• Be honest, self-directed, possess initiative, display good judgment and a positive attitude toward daily activities
• Have the ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in written work
• Be able to work cooperatively and in a productive manner with organization’s employees, clients, customers and the general public
• Maintain satisfactory standing with the Adult Abuse Registry, Child Abuse & Neglect Registry, Vermont Criminal Information Center and OIG
• Be free from the illegal use and effects of drugs and alcohol in the workplace
• Be able to carry out the functions of this job without risk of harm to the health and safety of self and others
• Hold a valid driver’s license and have a reliable, registered vehicle with insurance as required by the organization, and appropriate to position
• General administrative and clinical supervision is received from the Rehab Team Manager with consultation and speech therapists at the Centers for Communication Disorders
• Broad and in-depth clinical knowledge and skills to speech therapy relevant to home care treatment
WORKING CONDITIONS:
1. Traveling required
2. Works in community based settings, and clients’ homes and outdoors
3. May work during non-business hours
4. May experience:
• Hostile and emotionally upset clients, family members, visitors and staff
• Stress due to a demanding profession
• An exposure to blood-borne pathogens
• A variety of environmental exposures such as inclement weather, animals, firearms, tobacco use, dust, and other client based activities and preferences
ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
1. Must walk, sit, stand, bend, lift and move intermittently during working hours
2. Must have the ability to push, pull and lift from the floor, up to a total of 50 pounds and be able to move with the weight, as to organization’s standards
3. Climbing-be able to navigate stairs of varying heights and degrees
4. Balancing-be able to maintain balance
5. Kneeling, crouching, stooping, twisting, reaching below waist level, reaching overhead and reaching torso level
6. Manual finger dexterity-will need dexterity to perform duties and use equipment
7. Visual acuity-will need sufficient eyesight to drive a car, use office equipment and perform duties
8. Auditory acuity- will need to assist individuals in person and by telephone
PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS:
I. Performance Standards:
• Provide a full range of speech language pathology services to patients in their homes, under general personal and procedural clinical supervision, including: ongoing assessments of current status; implementation of treatment plans, to regain maximum independence, and the like; teaching patients about their conditions and ST treatment plans; counsel patients regarding psycho-social problems related to speech and language disabilities
• Conduct comprehensive initial in-home assessments
• Manage a caseload of patients, including developing appropriate care plans and revising as circumstances change, scheduling visits, and so forth
• Plan and coordinate a variety of services for patients provided by the University of Vermont Health Network Home Health & Hospice and other community health care and human service organizations. Perform a variety of patient advocacy functions
• Confer with patients’ families, physicians, and other care providers to coordinate services, discuss patients’ status, needs and problems, and so forth
• Prepare all required clinical and administrative documentation related to assigned activities, including admissions write-ups, chart notes, documentation of conversations, care plans, and the like, adhering to all relevant legal regulations, technical requirements of government agencies, internal procedures, and professional standards
• Travel to and from patients’ homes and the UVM Health Network Home Health & Hospice offices
• Confer regularly with supervisor, other clinical team members, departmental office staff, and other UVMHN Home Health & Hospice personnel to plan and coordinate activities, consult on cases, exchange information, investigate and resolve problems. Attend staff meetings when required
• Assist in the orientation and training of new speech staff
• Participate in a variety of formal and informal orientation, training and professional development programs and activities in order to keep abreast of relevant new clinical/technical developments in the field, as well as current goals, programs, policies and procedures of the organization
• In carrying out all clinical duties, adhere to established guidelines and professional standards while adapting treatment plans to meet many different contingencies, consulting with senior staff or supervisors regarding unusual situations; and demonstrated advanced knowledge and skills resulting in in-depth, accurate and rapid analyses and assessments, excellent anticipation of likely events and outcomes and recognition of atypical cases
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor
II. Professional Accountability:
• Demonstrates a commitment to the mission and values of the organization
• Complies with all organization policies and procedures
• Demonstrates respectful and effective communication in all interactions
• Protects the privacy and confidentiality of clients, co-workers and organization’s operations
• Complies with organization’s policies to protect confidentiality, integrity, availability and security of all protected health information
• Organization’s security official
• Conducts him/herself in a safe manner by adhering to all safety practices, rules and standards
• Demonstrates a commitment to quality and proactively seeks to make improvements to systems and processes
• Reports to work on time, provides advance notice for time off, accurately reports time and attendance and appropriately manages paid time off (if applicable) in accordance with organization’s policy
• Demonstrates a commitment to integrity in work habits and use of organization’s resources
• Performs duties as assigned that may be outside his/her principle responsibilities
• Meets own learning needs. Participates in educational programs of the organization, including completion of all mandatory competencies, education or training
• Effectively communicates to transfer information, provide guidance and resolve conflicts
• Reports concerns and complaints regarding abuse, neglect and exploitation in accordance with Vermont State Law and the organization
• Enhance or improve organization’s services by participating in team meetings, projects and committees
• Contributes to a positive work environment and responds in a constructive manner to change
• Documents the provision care and services in accordance to organization’s policy