Overview

Copley Rehabilitation is looking for a confident and independent Speech Language Pathologist to provide per-diem coverage.

We have a variety of needs including potentially a several week period of regular coverage this summer as well as both regular and irregular coverage during the school year.

We are looking for a candidate whom has experience in one or more of the following areas: school-based speech services, inpatient acute care, outpatient speech services and potentially modified barium swallow evaluations. 

The ideal candidate will have experience in a variety of venues, have excellent communication skills and be prepared to work as a team with local schools, multiple departments within the hospital and our full time SLP to make sure that the needs of the community are met. 

We look forward to discussing how best to integrate your skills and availability into our program.

Responsibilities

• Continually meets ASHA standards for professional practice and Vermont licensure requirements.
• Participates in department staff meetings, in-services and quality improvement activities. Responds promptly and appropriately to changes in policies and procedures announced at department meetings or via verbal and written communications. Proactively discusses procedural issues and opportunities with management in a professional and constructive manner.
• Meets established standards for productivity. Initiates timely communications with supervisor or director when circumstances may impact therapist's ability to meet the expectations. Participates in the development and monitoring of a clinical schedule that balances patient needs, productivity expectations and therapist practice preferences. Is proactive in managing patient schedules in order to achieve productivity expectations.
• Follows department and hospital policies and procedures. Examples include but are not limited to following assigned work schedules and assignments, using timeclock appropriately and in accordance with the 7 minute rule, working above FTE and in overtime only with advance approval, submitting ETO requests with sufficient lead time to arrange for coverage and prioritization of patients prior to patient scheduling.
• Maintains and submits treatment, productivity and charge logs according to policy and regulation. Invoices appropriate travel and time charges per procedure and agency contract.
• Establishes an annual plan for professional development with the Supervisor and Director, and participates in appropriate continuing professional education based on the needs of the department. Provides peers with in-service training and mentoring following CE program attendance.
• Assures proper function of equipment and provides Supervisor with recommended purchases based on patient and program needs. Monitors SLP specific supply inventory and recommends purchases as needed for patient care.
• Participates in departmental and multi-disciplinary performance improvement activities, including in-service training, orientation and peer review. Participates in quality assurance and quality improvement processes and teams. Updates EMR and other assessment and treatment documentation tools. Participates in developing or modifying SLP programs and procedures, based on current SLP practice standards and community needs assessment.
• Attends outside agency and or school team meetings as requested and as schedule permits, and participates in IEP development.
• Evaluates for and provides appropriate patient and/or family education as part of the plan of care. Documents all education and provides appropriate written home program for patient and/or family to follow.
• May act as primary contact person for speech department service coordination with outside agencies, and reports to supervisor and/or director all pertinent communications and needs.
• For Speech Language and Dysphagia patients, inpatient, SNF, outpatient, school based and or other agencies: evaluates, develops programs, provides direct therapy based on patients' assessed needs, age specific requirements, and program needs or expectations including individual and group therapy. Coordinates with physician and other team members. Re-evaluates when appropriate and establishes appropriate functional goals and programs. Completes all appropriate documentation in paper and electronic format and time frame required by policy and regulation. Documentation supports medical necessity and billing.
• Effectively manages own schedule, which may be a mix of patients (Inpatients, outpatients, school-based and/or other contractual services) in such a way that patients are appropriately prioritized for care. The SLP may require assistance in managing the schedule, and seeks appropriate advise and support from supervisor, manager and support staff in order to use available resources most effectively.

Qualifications

Education:

• Masters degree in Communication Disorders from an accredited school. 
• No previous SLP employment experience required.

Experience Desired:

• Two to four years clinical experience including acute, subacute and outpatient adult and pediatric service. 
• Competency in evaluating and treating the of patients of all ages in acute and subacute inpatient settings, including other facility and or agency settings, outpatients in all settings, and or pediatric developmental patients.

Certification:

• BLS certification required within 6 months of employment. 

Skills:

• Demonstrated clarity in verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to independently manage a standard caseload and meet established productivity expectations.
• Must demonstrate competency in clinical documentation that meets regulatory and policy requirements without exception.
• Must demonstrate competency in compliant billing based on regulatory and payer requirements.
• Computer literacy in the use of electronic medical record system including scheduling.