SPEECH THERAPIST - HOME HEALTH (PT)

The Home Health Speech Therapist provides specialized speech-language therapy services to patients in their homes. This role involves assessing, diagnosing, and treating speech, language, communication, and swallowing disorders. The ideal candidate will possess advanced clinical skills, a patient-centered approach, and the ability to develop and implement effective therapy plans tailored to individual patient needs.

FTE & Shift: 0.5 FTE (Part-Time) | Days 

Work Location: Location Varies - Primarily Kankakee County 

Essential Duties

• Patient Assessment: Conduct comprehensive evaluations of patients' speech, language, communication, and swallowing abilities. Develop individualized therapy plans based on assessment findings.
• Therapy and Intervention: Provide evidence-based speech-language therapy to address disorders such as aphasia, dysarthria, voice disorders, and dysphagia. Implement therapeutic techniques and exercises to improve communication and swallowing function.
• Care Planning: Develop and update individualized therapy plans in collaboration with the patient, family, and healthcare team. Set realistic goals and monitor patient progress toward these goals.
• Patient and Family Education: Educate patients and their families about speech and language disorders, therapy techniques, and home exercises. Provide strategies and tools to support ongoing therapy and improve quality of life.
• Documentation: Maintain accurate and timely documentation of patient evaluations, therapy sessions, progress notes, and outcomes. Ensure compliance with agency policies, billing requirements, and regulatory standards.
• Collaboration: Work closely with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to coordinate patient care. Communicate any changes in the patient's condition or therapy needs to the care team.
• Demonstrates flexibility with assignments within professional scope/duties/licensure

Non-essential Duties

• Participate in home health care team meetings, case conferences, and continuing education to stay current with best practices in physical therapy and home health care.
• Provide mentorship or support to physical therapy students or new staff as needed.
• Assist with special projects or additional duties as assigned by management.

Required Experience

• Minimum of one year of clinical experience in speech-language therapy.

Preferred Experience:

• Clinical experience in speech-language therapy in home health care experience is preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of speech-language therapy techniques and interventions.
• Strong assessment and diagnostic skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to educate and support patients and families effectively.
• Proficient in electronic health record (EHR) systems and documentation practices.
• Ability to work independently and manage a caseload efficiently in a home care setting

Required Licensure/Education

• Masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology from an accredited program.
• Current Speech-Language Pathologist license in Illinois
• Valid drivers license and personal auto insurance are required.

Preferred Education

• Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is preferred.

Employee Health Requirements

Exposure to:

• Chemicals: N/A.
• Video Display Terminals: Average
• Blood and Body Fluids: Often in contact with saliva and phlegm with patients who have tracheostomy tubes and/or swallowing deficits. 
• TB or Airborne Pathogens: Whatever hazards that may exist in patient rooms. Minimal.

Sensory requirements (speech, vision, smell, hearing, touch):

• Speech: Needed to give directions and to administer tests, articulate and precise in order to provide/administer a good model to patients. 
• Vision: Needed to evaluate articulation movements, administer tests, view handwriting, and view patients use of argumentative systems and gestural or body language.
• Smell: N/A
• Hearing: Needed to adequately evaluate speech/language/voice impairments.
• Touch: Needed to provide tactile cueing and physical prompting.

Activity/Lifting Requirements

Percentage of time during the normal workday the employee is required to: 

• Sit: 30%
• Twist: 2%
• Stand: 25%
• Crawl: 1%
• Walk: 20%
• Kneel: 1%
• Lift: 5%
• Drive: 1%
• Squat: 5%
• Climb: 2%
• Bend: 5%
• Reach above shoulders: 3%

The weight required to be lifted each normal workday according to the continuum described below:

• Up to 10 lbs: Frequently 
• Up to 20 lbs: Occasionally 
• Up to 35 lbs: Occasionally 
• Up to 50 lbs: Occasionally 
• Up to 75 lbs: Not Required
• Up to 100 lbs: Not Required 
• Over 100 lbs: Not Required

Describe and explain the lifting and carrying requirements. (Example: the distance material is carried; how high material is lifted, etc.): Minimal lifting required overall. Must carry testing equipment from office to bedside or other appropriate areas within the Medical Center. Must lift overhead to obtain or replace items in cabinets. May occasionally assist other staff members, such as nurse, technicians, or other therapists with patient transfers, and/or adjusting the patient in bed.

Maximum consecutive time (minutes) during the normal workday for each activity:

• Sit: 60
• Twist: 2
• Stand: 45
• Crawl: 1
• Walk: 15
• Kneel: 2
• Lift: 2
• Drive: 60
• Squat: 5
• Climb: 2
• Bend: 10
• Reach above shoulders: 5

Repetitive use of hands (Frequency indicated):

• Simple grasp up to 10 lbs. 
• Normal weight: Often 
• Pushing & pulling Normal weight: occasionally 
• Fine Manipulation: writing often and for lengthy periods during the day. May also push wheelchairs.

Repetitive use of foot or feet in operating machine control: Required elevating table in order to allow room for wheelchair armrests. Operating vehicle for home evaluations.

Environmental Factors & Special Hazards

Environmental Factors (Time Spent): 

• Inside hours: 8
• Outside hours : 0
• Temperature: Normal Range 
• Lighting: Average
• Noise levels: Average 
• Humidity: Normal Range 
• Atmosphere: Odors, Dust
• Special Hazards: Radiation: Conducting video fluoroscopic swallow evaluations in conjunction with radiology.
• Protective Clothing Required: Thyroid collar, lead apron, neck &ring badges, lead glasses (optional), lead gloves (optional).