Speech Language Pathologist - Work - Life Balance! - Interim Healthcare of Mercer

Physical therapist requested per diem for home care in Hunterdon and Mercer Counties. 

Competitive pay!

Great for those looking to pick up a few extra hours here and there!

Pediatric and adult patients!

General Purpose:

The Speech/Language Pathologist is responsible to assess, plan, implement and evaluate patient care programs designed to help prevent speech, language, cognitive, communication, voice, swallowing, fluency, and other related disorders; and assist patients in reaching their maximum function.  Care is provided in accordance with facility policies, procedures, physician’s orders, and established standards of practice.

Essential Functions:

• Performs age appropriate speech/language pathology assessment and procedures that require substantial specialized knowledge, judgment and skills based upon principles of psychological, biological, physical and social sciences.
• Makes patient care decisions based on individual’s educational preparation and experience as a Speech/Language Pathologist utilizing critical thinking skills, sound judgment and leadership abilities.
• Plans, implements, and evaluates patient care programs through the utilization of appropriate diagnostic and prognostic speech/language pathology tests/procedures based upon physician’s orders, evaluation of findings, and within the scope of practice as permitted by state law or regulation.
• Communicates appropriate information in a timely manner with other professionals, units, services, agencies and personnel to update the plan of care for the patient, coordinate interventions, or to report adverse responses to treatment in accordance with the contracting employer’s policies and procedures. 
• Maintains a safe environment for all patients assigned by providing timely, safe and competent therapeutic interventions as specified in the plan of care.
• Participates in conferences, rounds, meetings or equivalent to improve patient care and staff performance as directed by the contracting employer.
• Responds to inquiries and complaints from physicians, patients, family/visitors, colleagues and other health care providers and supervisors.
• Provides professional, respectful and compassionate care to all patients.
• Provides written and verbal health teaching and direction to patients, family, licensed and unlicensed staff as appropriate.
• Establishes effective relationships with patients, physicians, families/visitors, coworkers and superiors.
• Recognizes changing patient conditions and emergency situations and appropriately intervenes.
• Displays a working knowledge of disease pathophysiology, common diagnostic tests and procedures, as well as treatment plans.
• Follows Standard Precautions, infection control and safety guidelines as established by the contracting employer.
• Reads and interprets policy and procedure manuals, written physician orders, operating instructions and safety manuals.
• Understands instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.
• Operates and maintains patient equipment and devices according to operating instructions and policies and procedures of the contracting employer.
• Provides legible, clear written or electronic documentation of all patient care provided, and the patient’s response to care.
• May supervise professional and non-professional personnel providing patient care.  Provides supervision to others through task assignments, direction, evaluation and feedback of assigned tasks.
• Works with the contracting employer who is also responsible for monitoring work in progress and reevaluating the status of the assigned work at the end of the shift/assignment.
• Completes other assignments as requested and assigned. 
• May have access to personal health information (“PHI”) necessary to fulfill the above duties and responsibilities.  Access to use and ability to disclose PHI is further defined by each organization/department.

Minimum Education & Experience Requirements:

• Master’s or doctoral degree in speech language pathology, and who meets either of the following requirements:
• licensed as a speech-language pathologist by the State in which the individual furnishes such services; or
• In the case of an individual who furnishes services in a State which does not license speech-language pathologists:
• Has successfully completed 350 clock hours of supervised clinical practicum (or is in the process of accumulating such supervised clinical experience);
• Performed not less than 9 months of supervised full-time speech-language pathology services after obtaining a master’s or doctoral degree in speech-language pathology or a related field; and 
• Successfully completed an approved national examination in speech-language pathology
• At least one (1) year of Speech/Language Pathology experience within the past five (5) years and as defined by the contracting employer.
• Evidence of current Basic Life Support (BLS) training for infants, children and adults.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:  

• Able to effectively communicate with all levels of the work force, both clinical and non-clinical.
• Able to perform and prioritize multiple functions or tasks.
• Able to read and interpret technical instructions related to the care of the patient/client.
• Able to effectively deal with multiple changes.
• Evidence of an annual TB test and other state required test.
• Meets applicable health requirements to provide patient care.
• Able to manage anger/fear/hostility/violence of self and others.
• Able to successfully work in confined or crowded areas.

Working Conditions & Physical Effort:  

• Work is normally performed in clinics, schools, hospitals, nursing homes or occupational settings.
• Work environment involves occasional exposure to communicable diseases, blood borne pathogens and/or potentially infectious or hazardous materials and situations that require following extensive safety precautions and may include the use of protective equipment (e.g. face masks, goggles, latex and or non-latex gloves).
• Able to spend varying amounts of time sitting, standing and walking.
• Sufficient endurance to perform the required physical and mental tasks over long periods of time.
• Able to visually and auditorially observe and assess the patient.
• Able to work flexible schedule and/or evening hours as needed.
• Physical activity is sedentary and may require occasional lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling up to 10 lbs.