Speech Therapist – PRN Acute Care/Acute Rehab

At Central Maine Healthcare our team members are committed to providing exceptional care and experiences for our community and for each other every day.

Position Summary:

Central Maine Healthcare is seeking a Speech/Language Pathologist (Speech Therapist) to join our Therapy Services team at Central Maine Medical Center!

The Speech/Language Pathologist (Speech Therapist) will provide diagnostics for speech/language or swallowing disorders/delays; provide intervention/consultations for patients who demonstrate disorders/delays in speech, language, communication, and/or swallowing.

This is a per diem, flexible as needed position, with weekend and holiday shift requirements. An ideal opportunity for a professional Speech/Language Pathologist looking to supplement their current career, or in need of a flexible schedule!

The Speech/Language Pathologist will:

• Provides treatment and instruction to patients according to acceptable principles and practices of Speech/Language Therapy.
• Collaborates as a member of the health care team for the provision of comprehensive patient care consistent with training and competency review, and provides care to pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients.
• Follows acceptable principles/practices of the American Speech Language Hearing Association.
• The Speech Therapist participates in operational aspects of the department and maintains performance improvement activities within the department.
• Participates in all infection control, departmental equipment training, organizational safety, and fire safety programs as needed to meet compliance.

Regulatory Requirements:

• Current Maine Licensure in Speech Pathology.
• Obtain or eligible for Clinical Competence Certificate through the American Speech Language, and Hearing Association.
• Current BCLS certification.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Demonstrates Competency in the Following Areas:

• Performs a thorough, organized, and objective Speech/Language Therapy evaluation in appropriate enough depth for patient diagnosis and clinical presentation; identifies the speech and language therapy problems from the evaluation and incorporates patient potential as well as major barriers to treatment.
• Diagnostic assessment/ screening is to include but is not limited to speech, language, communication, cognition, and/or bedside swallowing assessments and fluoroscopic swallow function studies to objectify the patient’s impairment and identify the treatment problems.
• Develops appropriate treatment goals/plan that is based on the evaluation findings, the patient’s goals, review of the medical record, a history, the referring physician’s goal for the patient, and information gathered from the patient’s health care team.
• Demonstrates a timely progression in the plan and an update of the plan/goals based on the patient’s response to intervention and reassessments per the policies. Demonstrates timely/correct equipment selection and appliance selection and provides guidance to the patient to obtain.
• Demonstrates individualized treatment planning including appropriate therapy application and treatment intervention in the areas of cognitive retraining, articulation and phonology remediation, aphasia remediation, vocal hygiene, and compensatory strategies, oral motor retraining, Dysphagia diet progression, delayed language remediation, remediation/compensation for dysarthria and/or apraxia of speech, and patient/family education.
• Discusses and advises Medical Staff, patients, and patient families regarding indications/contraindications for treatment offers alternative modes of treatment, and advises in the proper utilization of the service as supported by current Speech Pathology literature/research.
• Delivers treatment in compliance with departmental policies, and protocols, and per the American Speech, Language, and Hearing Associations' code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
• Demonstrates ability to assess patient pain interfering with the optimal level of function or participation in rehabilitation.
• Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
• Modifies treatment sessions based on accurate interpretation of patient's response to treatment.
• Addresses in treatment sessions, patient’s identified Speech/Language therapy goals, per the evaluation.
• Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity. Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic, and religious/spiritual needs of patients and their families.
• Performs examinations such as swallowing examinations accurately and communicates results timely to all appropriate members of the healthcare team.
• Interacts professionally with patient/family and involves patient/family in the formation of the plan of care and conducts treatment sessions to assure the safety of the therapist, support staff, and the patient at all times.
• Coordinates and directs patient care to ensure patients’ needs are met and hospital policy is followed.
• Manages and operates equipment safely and correctly. Maintains department cleanliness and safety.
• Demonstrates an ability to be flexible, organized, and function under stressful situations.
• Maintains a good working relationship both within the department and with other departments.
• Consults other disciplines as appropriate to collaborate in patient care and performance improvement activities.
• Timely and concise identification and communication of patient care needs beyond our system’s care continuum.
• Communicates appropriately and clearly to physicians and members of the health care team.
• Assists with orientation and in-service training for department staff if needed; participates in guidance and educational programs.

Professional Requirements:

• Adheres to dress code, appearance is neat and clean.
• Completes annual education requirements.
• . Maintains regulatory requirements including JCAHO, state, and federal regulations and standards.
• Reports to work on time and as scheduled, completes work within the designated time.
• Wears identification while on duty.
• Maintains currency for the practice of Speech/Language Pathology Therapy: through current literature review, course attendance, educational seminars, or preparation and delivery of staff in servicing at a level where there is evidence of continual growth of the therapist’s knowledge base and skills
• Represents the organization positively and professionally.
• Actively participates in performance improvement and quality activities.
• Complies with all organizational policies regarding ethical business practices.
• Meets current documentation standards and policies in a timely fashion and handwriting is legible.
• Includes Manager's recommendations for the formatting of documentation for review and third-party payer understanding (within network)
• Meets productivity standards for the department and keeps on schedule with patient treatments.
• Accepts assignments of special activities such as program/protocol development, clinical map development, student clinical supervisor, marketing activities, etc and meets agreed-upon outcomes.
• Performs job duties in a manner, which maximizes expense control, uses supplies, equipment, and utilities in an expeditious manner and performs job tasks effectively resulting in no unplanned overtime.
• Communicates the mission, ethics and goals of the hospital as well as exemplifies the customer service standards of the organization.

Organizational Requirements:

• Customer Service: Interacts with all individuals in a consistent manner, providing attention, support, and assistance to foster an environment of exceptional personal service.
• Maintains a pleasant and helpful demeanor, and presents a professional appearance toward all internal and external customers at all times.
• b. Consistently initiates interaction to provide assistance to individuals who may not be direct customers of the employee (i.e. asks patients who appear to be lost if they need assistance in finding their way).
• c. Takes appropriate action to recover from a service difficulty, ensuring that the necessary action is taken to affect a resolution to the customer’s problem.
• d. Conducts all work activities with respect for coworkers, including the maintenance of a pleasant and professional environment, fostering calmness during stressful situations.
• e. Interacts with supervisory personnel in a professional, supportive and courteous manner, venting emotions appropriate to time and place.
• f. Demonstrates a commitment to service by consistent attendance and punctuality, scheduling absences according to departmental requirements, and incurring unplanned absences only when unavoidable circumstances exist.
• 38. Confidentiality: Maintains confidentiality of information at all times.
• a. Consistently maintains confidentiality of all information gained during the course of employment, respecting the privacy of others.
• b. Understands and maintains the confidentiality of information communicated directly from the supervisor, including discussions of a counseling nature.
• c. Follows policies and procedures related to medico legal matters, including confidentiality, amendments of medical records, patient rights, medical records as legal evidence and informed consent
• d. Copies records according to policy, assuring the appropriateness of the individual requesting information from the record prior to copying, faxing, or phoning any portion of the record.
• 39. Safety: Demonstrates an understanding of fire and electrical safety, infection control, body mechanics, and related areas, as appropriate to position.
• a. Attends mandatory in-services on fire safety, electrical safety, infection control, and body mechanics. Successfully completes competency-based training in each area (within network)
• b. Follows all employee health procedures, incident reporting, and infection control requirements at all times, as appropriate to the position.
• c. Uses proper body mechanics at all times as required by the physical demands of the position.
• d. Maintains a safe work environment and performs duties of the position in a manner consistent with ensuring the safety of self and others.
• e. Identifies safety needs in areas outside own work environment, recommending corrective action as appropriate.
• 40. Expense Control: Performs job duties in a manner that maximizes expense control.
• a. Uses supplies, equipment, and utilities in an expeditious manner
• b. Consistently recommends methods to control costs while maintaining a high degree of customer service.
• c. Performs job tasks efficiently and effectively resulting in no unplanned overtime.

Language Skills:

• • Able to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
• • Strong written and verbal skills

Skills:

• • Basic computer skills

Physical Demands:

• • For physical demands of position, including vision, hearing, repetitive motion and environment, see following description.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position without compromising client care.

If you are passionate about making a difference and are looking for your next great career opportunity, we look forward to reviewing your application!