Speech Therapist I /Per-Diem

ABOUT US:

With energy and purpose, Cooley Dickinson Health Care, a member of the Mass General Brigham system, is advancing health care in western Massachusetts, and has been since 1886. Our network employs more than 2,000 medical professionals and support staff, at our main Hospital campus in Northampton and additional locations in twelve towns throughout the Pioneer Valley. Cooley Dickinson's VNA & Hospice is also a vital part of our network, providing home-based services throughout Hampshire and Franklin counties.

MAIN FUNCTION:

The Speech Therapist I is responsible for providing services for patients who have speech, language, hearing, and oral motor problems. These services are provided with the participation of the family and other members of the interdisciplinary team as indicated.

This position reports to the Assistant Director, Rehabilitation Services and operates within established organizational and departmental policies and procedures.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Perform speech therapy assessments, diagnostic tests, skilled procedures, and ongoing evaluations for patients who are receiving services under a medically approved plan of care.

• Complete assessments in a timely manner in accordance with department policy

• Develop a speech therapy care plan to provide direction to other health team members involved in the plan of care

• Review and update the care plan per department policy and patient/family need

• Document all findings, plans, interventions, and outcomes in the clinical record

• Communicate plans and changes to the physician, the patient/family and other caregivers (e.g., through the care plan, progress notes, case conferences as applicable)

• Implement teaching appropriate to the patient's needs and abilities.

• Assess knowledge level of patient and identify learning needs

• Plan, teach, supervise, and counsel regarding the patient's speech therapy needs to promote improvement or recovery, symptom management disease process, and community resources

• Evaluate the effectiveness of the teaching plan and establish care plan for others to follow in teaching the patient

• Perform job in compliance with professional standards.

• Accept responsibility for professional speech therapy role

• Follow applicable state and federal law

• Meet productivity standards established by the department

• Render patient care with respect for individual, cultural, and spiritual differences

• Adhere to all billing and documentation procedures

• Promote personal safety and a safe environment for patient/families and coworkers.

• Recognize and respond to potentially unsafe situations

• Demonstrate safe practice in the use of equipment

• Assess safety of equipment and take initiative to help prevent accidents and promote safety education of other caregivers (e.g. body mechanics, transfer techniques, etc.)

• Supervise speech-language pathology students.

• Participate in ongoing, professional self-development. Participate in all mandatory education per department and hospital guidelines.

• Demonstrate competency in areas of assignment or identify the need for additional training.

• Meet annual competency and retraining requirements. Maintain certifications required for speech therapy.

• Maintain professional growth and development through attendance at seminars, workshops, conferences or in-services, professional affiliation or journals to stay abreast of current trends in speech therapy.

• Maintain established hospital and departmental policies and procedures, objectives, confidentiality, quality improvement program, safety, infection control, compliance and environmental standards.

• Attend meetings as required. Participate in committees and task forces as assigned.

• Perform other functions/duties as requested.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Master's degree in Speech Pathology from a school approved by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association required.

• Current licensure and registration as a Speech-Language Pathologist in Massachusetts required.

• Current American Heart Association BLS certification required Demonstrated knowledge in the principles of speech and language therapy required.

• Demonstrated strong verbal and written communication skills and good interpersonal skills required.

• Reliable transportation required.