Job Summary:

This job is limited to Speech Therapists who are required to make home visits at any given time, or who have responsibilities which include working in the patients place of residence. In accordance with agency policy and state/federal regulations, provides independent, age-appropriate speech therapy evaluation and treatment to patients in their place of residence. Teaches patient/family and caregivers preventative and rehabilitative procedures. Develops and coordinates the plan of care and provides case management.

Essential Responsibilities:

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• Evaluates patients and interprets evaluation findings to determine the nature and extent of dysfunction.
  
  
• Establishes treatment goals and plans treatment to achieve established goals. Provides instruction and education to patient, family and caregivers.
  
  
• Regularly reassesses clinical signs and symptoms to determine effectiveness of treatment, progress of patients towards goals, and the need to modifying goals and treatment.
  
  
• Initiates discharge planning for speech therapy. Implements the plan of care through direct treatment of patient, delegates a portion of the treatment plan to appropriate supportive personnel, and coordinates the treatment program with other health care personnel as appropriate.
  
  
• Discharges patient from speech therapy when the patient has received a maximum benefit from speech therapy in accordance with federal (Medicare), state and/or other regulatory guidelines. In accordance with agency policy, provides accurate, timely documentation of speech therapy patient management.
  
  
• Evaluates need for interdisciplinary referrals to RN, PT, OT, MSW and HH Aide.
  
  
• In accordance with agency policy, provides accurate, timely documentation of speech therapy patient management.
  
  
• Participates in appropriate and approved educational and clinical research activities in speech therapy.
  
  
• Participates in specialized patient care clinics outside the department.
  
  
• Participates in multidisciplinary patient care conferences.
  
  
• Demonstrates on-going progress toward meeting the criteria for professional practice.
  
  
• Assists in the development, implementation, and review of departmental patient care programs.
  
  
• Performs other duties as needed in the areas of staff education, departmental operations, and departmental projects.
  
  
• Supervises the work of Home Health Aides according to regulation and agency policy.
  
  
• Kaiser Permanente conducts compensation reviews of positions on a routine basis. At any time, Kaiser Permanente reserves the right to re-evaluate and change job descriptions, or to change such positions from salaried to hourly pay status. Such changes are generally implemented only after notice is given to affected employees.

Basic Qualifications: Experience

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• Minimum two (2) years of experience in speech therapy.
  
  
• Per the National Agreement, current KP Coalition employees have this experience requirement waived.
  
  

Education

• Graduate of an accredited speech therapy curriculum with a bachelors or masters degree.

License, Certification, Registration

• Speech-Language Pathologist License (California) required at hire
  
  

• Driver's License (California)
  
  

• Basic Life Support required at hire
  
  

• National Provider Identifier required at hire
  
  

Additional Requirements:

• Advanced Practice Certification may be required based on operational need.
• Clinically skilled to detect early warning signs of medical complications including assessments of skin integrity and mentation.
• Ability to differentiate emergent versus non-emergent patient care status.
• Ability to look at patient holistically, not just body part or functional ability.
• Commitment to Service Orientation.
• Effective written and oral communication skills (in English).
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Must be able to work in a Labor/Management Partnership environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in an automated clinical information system preferred.
• Computer literate preferred.
• Knowledge of Medicare conditions of participation and OASIS preferred.