Speech Language Pathologist Clinical Fellow - Home Care

Speech Language Pathologist Clinical Fellow is responsible for Speech, Language and Feeding evaluation, planning, implementation, treatment and documentation of patient status/related activities in the home care setting under the direction and supervision of the Supervising Speech Language Pathologist. Supports organization's mission to provide the highest quality care by complying with regulatory guidelines, meeting agency standards, and obtaining appropriate certification.

JOB DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

1.Provides services in speech pathology in accordance with the physician's and team's plan of care as well as the American Speech & Hearing Association's scope of practice guidelines. Demonstrates competency in the skills required by the organization on at least a bi-annual basis.

2.Assists the physician in assessing the patient's level of functioning and the development (and revision, as necessary) of the plan of care by applying appropriate tests for speech, hearing and language disorders.

3.Records and reports the patient's reaction to treatment and any changes in the patient's condition to the physician and/or nursing and other staff involved.

4.Recommends hearing screenings, FEES, MBSS, and need for outpatient dysphagia therapy when necessary.

5.Completes instrumental swallowing assessments as per established policies and procedures. Reports findings/recommendations to referring medical professional.

6.Assesses the patient's feeding skill level, communication, oral-motor integrity, swallow safety cognitive status, memory and problem solving activities, hearing and speech fluency and vocal quality.

7.Evaluates and regularly re-evaluates the speech pathology needs of the patient and assesses for PMSV candidacy, if appropriate. Initiates, develops, implements and makes necessary revisions to the patient's plan of care. Assesses the patient's continual care needs. Includes all problems identified in the assessment in the plan of care or documents rationale for not doing so.

8.Initiates diagnostic, preventive and rehabilitative procedures as appropriate to the patient's

care and safety. Makes referrals to other disciplines as indicated by the needs of the patient or documents rationale for not doing so.

9.Teaches, supervises and counsels the patient, family, and other health care team members in the phases of Speech Pathology in which they may assist the patient as appropriate to the patient's condition. Utilizes organizational educational material as appropriate.

10. Coordinates the total plan of care and maintains continuity of patient care by liaising with other health professions. Attends patient care conferences. Initiates patient care conferences for complex and/or multi-disciplinary patients when needed or helpful to ensure good coordination of care.

11. Develops, prepares and maintains individualized patient care progress records with accuracy, timeliness and according to home care policies. Submits evaluation reports within 48 hours of the evaluation session.

12. Participates in in-service programs.

13. Completes discharge summaries, managed care reports, home exercise programs (HEPs) and all documentation within the electronic medical record (EMR).

14. Embraces the model of patient and family centered care and works in collaboration with parents to develop goals and track progress.

15. Cooperates and consults with appropriate staff to provide staff education when requested and arranged by the Speech Therapy Supervisor.

16. Participates in the quality improvement program.

17. Provides supervision to a CF (Clinical Fellow) according to the New York State and ASHA guidelines.

18. Participates in departmental research projects on a voluntary basis.

Formal education required:

• Limited License as Clinical Fellow in New York State

• Master's degree with a major in Speech Language Pathology.

Clinical Fellowship Requirements:

• Supervised experience - 36 weeks (35 hours/wk.) of full-time experience

• Supervised by ASHA Certified SLP

• Eighty (80%) of time must be spent in direct clinical contact.

• At least 18 hours of on-site observation providing clinical services and additional 18 hours of other monitoring activities.

Previous experience required:

Minimum of one year of experience in speech-language pathology and/or pediatric affiliation.