Job Description

About North Country Healthcare (NCH):

North Country Healthcare is a non-profit affiliation of four medical facilities, Androscoggin Valley Hospital, North Country Home Health & Hospice Agency, Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital, and Weeks Medical Center, located in the White Mountains Region of New Hampshire. NCH includes numerous physicians and medical providers at multiple locations. This leading comprehensive healthcare network which employs hundreds of highly-trained individuals delivers integrated patient care through three community hospitals, specialty clinics, and home health and hospice services. NCH remains committed to the health and well-being of the communities we serve. As a leader in a management position this role emphasizes advancing High-Reliability Organization (HRO) principles, embedding a culture of safety, accountability, and consistent high performance.

The Speech Therapist provides evaluation and treatment for expressive, comprehension, cognitive, and feeding or swallowing disorders for inpatient, outpatient, and home health patients.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Master’s Degree in Speech/Language Pathology from an American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) accredited program.

Certification:

• Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) from ASHA, or eligibility with certification pending.

Licensure:

• Current and valid New Hampshire Speech/Language Pathology license issued by the New Hampshire Office of Allied Health Professions.
• Valid Driver’s License.
• Association* accredited course in Basic Life Support (BLS) (for clinical staff), or Heartsaver CPR AED (for nonclinical staff), and renewal on a regular basis, with up to a three-month grace period after the expiration date.

Skills:

• Strong clinical assessment and treatment skills across speech, language, cognitive, and swallowing disorders
• Ability to develop, implement, and modify individualized treatment plans
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Proficiency with electronic medical records and clinical documentation systems

Work Experience:

• Clinical experience in inpatient, outpatient, and/or home health settings preferred.
• Experience treating adult and/or pediatric populations with speech, language, cognitive, and swallowing disorders preferred.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Required skills and competencies satisfactorily completed on hire and annually.
2. Responsible for an initial evaluation, including objective goals, of each patient referred to for speech therapy.
3. Treatment will occur with a written referral from a health care provider with approved privileges to prescribe speech therapy as set from in the New Hampshire Speech Therapy Practice Act.
4. Responsible for developing a written treatment plan in consultation with and approval from the referring provider.

1. Responsible for maintaining current progress notes in the patient’s record.
2. Ensures that equipment used by the patient is in safe working condition prior to patient use and that any unsafe equipment will be reported to the Rehabilitation Services Manager and/or Maintenance.

1. Will maintain supplies relative to speech therapy at reasonable par levels.
2. Will develop and update policies and procedures related to Speech Therapy practice.
3. Attend meetings as designated by the Rehabilitation Services Manager.
4. Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide appropriate care across the NCH continuum of care: Inpatient, Outpatient and Home Health.

1. Works with the Rehabilitation Services Manager to develop new programs and collaborate on specific projects based on patient needs.

1. Manages time effectively consistent with department and organizational need.
2. Performs all other duties as assigned by Rehab Services Manager and other members of the Rehab Department.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Performs additional duties as assigned.
2. Adheres to facility Values, Service Excellence and Standards of Excellence.