Speech Therapist - Virginia Health Rehab

Speech Therapist - Virginia Health Rehab

Join us at Virginia Health Services, where your passion for compassionate care can transform lives. We commit to prioritizing quality of life and want to help you live your best life too!

Recognizing you have many options; Virginia Health Services is committed to investing in its team members and offers the following benefits:

• Competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package to ensure our team members are valued and rewarded for their hard work.
• Holiday pay is available for 11 worked holidays, paid at DOUBLE time.
• Paid time off and sick time available as you accrue it (no waiting period).
• Early wage access to some of your paycheck before payday with Netspend Earned Wage Access.
• Group health insurance that includes medical, dental, vision and an employee assistance program.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match.
• Referral program with the ability to earn as much as $1,500 for each new hire you refer.
• Training and development opportunities offered in-house at our state-of-the-art Employment, Enrichment and Education (EEE) Center.

We are dedicated to fostering a supportive environment that values innovation and collaboration, ensuring every team member plays a vital role in enhancing the quality of life for those we serve. Together, let’s make a difference!

Locally owned and headquartered in Newport News, Virginia since 1963, Virginia Health Services believes that compassionate care is the foundation of a healthier future. Our commitment extends beyond traditional healthcare; we strive to create lasting relationships that empower individuals and families on their journey to wellness with dignity and respect.

Essential Duties and Qualifications

The speech therapist will, Diagnose and treat speech, language, cognitive, and swallowing disorders in elderly residents. They work with patients to improve their ability to communicate, swallow safely, and engage in activities of daily living. The therapist collaborates with other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive care to the elderly population.

• Conduct thorough evaluations of residents' speech, language, cognitive, and swallowing abilities.
• Use standardized testing, observation, and interviews to assess communication challenges and cognitive functions.
• Identify speech, language, or swallowing disorders related to conditions like stroke, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and age-related decline.
• Develop individualized treatment plans based on assessment results to address specific communication or swallowing disorders.
• Provide one-on-one therapy sessions to residents, focusing on improving speech clarity, articulation, language comprehension, and fluency.
• Work on cognitive communication therapy, helping patients with memory, problem-solving, and attention-related issues.
• Treat residents with swallowing difficulties (dysphagia), including exercises and techniques to improve swallowing safety and reduce the risk of aspiration.
• Teach residents and caregivers techniques to manage communication and swallowing issues effectively.
• Conduct evaluations for swallowing safety, identifying residents at risk for choking or aspiration.
• Provide strategies to ensure safe eating and drinking, including modifications to food textures or adaptive equipment.
• Monitor and modify diets in collaboration with dietitians and the care team to ensure that nutritional needs are met while maintaining safety.

Required Licensing: Valid state license to practice as a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP).

Skills and Qualifications:

• Strong knowledge of speech, language, and cognitive disorders specific to the elderly population.
• Expertise in swallowing disorders and related therapies (dysphagia management).
• Compassionate, patient, and empathetic approach to working with elderly residents.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with families, caregivers, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to document accurately and consistently.
• Problem-solving skills to create individualized treatment strategies.

Learn more about us at: http://www.vahs.com

Virginia Health Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability or veteran status. We are a drug free workplace.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and responsibilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.