POSITION SUMMARY:
The Senior Therapist is responsible for assisting the Director of Rehab in the efficient Clinical management of rehabilitation services in their assigned account(s). Also, this position assists in integration of rehabilitation services in all settings. The Senior Therapist assesses the need for, develops, and delivers therapy programs to facilitate rehabilitation. The Senior Therapist identifies the need for and makes referral(s) to other disciplines to address the comprehensive needs of the patients. The Senior Therapist implements individualized therapy programs designed to restore, reinforce, and enhance programs. In addition, the Senior Therapist instructs, educates, and trains patients and caregivers in those skills and functions essential for promoting independence and productivity, in order to diminish or correct pathology. They direct activities to promote and maintain health. The Senior Therapist supports the delivery of the highest standard and quality of rehabilitation services.
RESPONSIBILITIES/ACCOUNTABILITIES:
1. Assists therapy staff in effective and efficient delivery of rehab services; adherence to an established plan of care, department and patient(s)' schedule, and timely documentation of services.
2. Assists in clinically managing Powerback Rehabilitation personnel and consultants within facility or home care contracts.
3. Continues direct patient care.
4. Supports the delivery of the highest standard of rehabilitation services through appropriate utilization of resources, the promotion of clinical programs, and staff development in collaboration with licensed therapists, the Clinical Operations Area Director, and Regional Clinical Director.
5. Assists DOR with customer service.
6. Ensures that the clinical management of the rehabilitation department, including oversight related to case management, quality improvement, care planning, clinical utilization, and patient identification is overseen by a licensed therapist.
7. Assists DOR in ensuring practice act compliance.
8. Attends facility meetings and is responsible for information sharing at facility meetings at the DOR's direction
9. Recognized as "go to person" from a clinical standpoint in the gym.
10. Assists in clinical development and growth of therapy staff in their own or other disciplines.
11. Assists in identification of areas of opportunity for clinical growth for the discipline or department in collaboration with the Director of Rehab and Regional Clinical Director.
12. Assists the Director of Rehab developing clinical excellence to support customer service.
13. Assists Director of Rehab with promoting good team work, company culture, and diversity within the rehab gym.
14. Assists in developing, coordination and utilization of student and mentor programs.
15. Assists the Director of Rehab with efficient scheduling of the rehab gym.
16. As necessary or applicable, supervision of Physical Therapist Assistants or Occupational Therapy Assistants, temporary licenses, students and support personnel in accordance with state licensure and professional standards.
17. SLPs who have received specialized training that has resulted in competence through ASHA guidance in flexible/nasal endoscopy in order to use the tools for the purpose of evaluating and treating disorders of swallowing function may be required to perform Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES).
18. Attends and contributes to patient care, staffing conferences and other related meetings.
19. Makes referrals to other disciplines, agencies in order to address the comprehensive needs of the patient.
20. Consults and collaborates with other members of the health care team to select the most appropriate therapeutic regimen consistent with the needs and capabilities of each patient.
21. Adapts program and/or plan of care according to the needs of the individual patient.
22. Conducts training programs and participates in training medical, nursing and other personnel in treatment techniques and objectives, consistent with the patient's course of treatment or those in common to the site of service.
23. Performs other related duties as required. SPECIFIC EDUCATIONAL/VOCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
1. They must possess a master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology, Communication Disorders, Communicative Disorders or similarly titled area that is consistent and acceptable to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
2. They must possess or be eligible for a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) or be eligible to participate as an ASHA Clinical Fellow.
3. They must be able to practice Speech Therapy per state guidelines.
4. The Senior Therapist SLP must be licensed, certified or credentialed, as required in the state of practice.
5. A thorough knowledge of Medicare and third party billing is required.
6. Prefer a minimum of four years of experience, preferably in LTC.