·      Provides physical/occupational  therapy services as prescribed by a physician, physician assistant, or advanced registered nurse practitioner, acting within their scope of practice, which can be safely provided in the home and assisting the physician, physician assistant, or advanced registered nurse practitioner in evaluating patients by applying diagnostic and prognostic muscle, nerve, joint and functional abilities test.

·      To observe and record activities and findings in the clinical record and report to the physician, physician assistant, or advanced registered nurse practitioner the patient’s reaction to treatment and any changes in patient’s condition, or when there are deviations from the plan of care.

·      Report reaction to treatment and any changes in patient’s condition to the physician.

·      Assist the physician in evaluating the patient for physical therapy in the home by applying diagnostic and prognostic muscle, nerve, joint, and functional abilities.  This is performed through tests.

·      Maintain the confidentiality of the patient’s record as mandated by the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

·      Evaluates the patient in home therapy to determine that the therapy can be safely administered in the home environment.  Makes periodic evaluations of the patient’s physical condition and rehabilitative needs.

·      Instruct patient and family in total physical therapy program and establish a home program and use / care of physical therapy devices.

·      Administer physical therapy treatments to patient as prescribed by the physician and appropriate to the patient’s medical condition.

·      Instruct other health care providers in certain phases of physical therapy which may apply to their work area.

·      Document all treatments, reaction, and observations in the clinical and progress notes.

·      Evaluate the patient’s level of function, prepares clinical and progress notes, advise, and consult with patient, family and other agency personnel.

·      Assist the physician in evaluating the patient’s level of function.

·      Help develop the plan of care and revise, as necessary.

·      Advise and consult with patient, family, and other agency personnel.

·      Instruct patient and family in care and use of physical therapy devices.

·      Supervise physical therapy assistants.

·      Measure progress, or lack thereof, in achieving goals. 

·      Prepare a modified plan of treatment or revision of orders to meet the needs of the patient. 

·      Explain to the patient and the family the implications of treatment consistent with the orders of the physician.

·      Assist in motivating the family to participate in providing care.

·      Leave clear and revised written directions in the home to reinforce verbal instructions.

·      Report regularly to case manager and physician the condition and progress of the patient, and changes in condition.

·      Assist the patient and family in the use of community resources.

·      Participates in in-service programs.

·      Provides advisory and consultation services to staff.

·      Participates in the development of community resources to meet the needs of the patients and interpret to the community the role of physical therapy in the agency’s program.

·      Instructs other health team personnel including, when appropriate, home health aides and family members in certain phases of physical therapy.

Qualifications:

• Must be a graduate of an approved school Speech Therapy
• Currently licensed in the State of Florida as a Speech Pathologist.
• Must have one (1) year experience in speech therapy.
• Must comply with the requirements for Good Moral Character Screening and Criminal Records Check.

Responsible To:

Agency Director of Nursing, Administrator

Responsibilities:

·      Assist the physician, physician assistant, or advanced registered nurse practitioner in evaluating the patient to determine the type of speech or language disorder and the appropriate corrective therapy

·      Provide rehabilitative services for speech and language disorders

·      Record activities and findings in the clinical record and to report to the physician, physician assistant, or advanced registered nurse practitioner the patient’s reaction to treatment and any changes in the patient’s condition, or when there are deviations from the plan of care

·      Instruct other health team personnel and caregivers in methods of assisting the patient to improve and correct speech disabilities

·      Maintain the confidentiality of the patient’s record as mandated by the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

·      Evaluates the patient assisting the physician to determine the type of speech or language disorder and the appropriate corrective therapy.

·      Works closely with the physician reporting any changes in condition or reaction to treatment.

·      Instructs patient and family in methods of assisting the patient to correct speech disabilities.

·      Administers speech therapy, provides direct speech service and rehabilitative services to patients as directed by the physician under the physician’s plan of care.

·      Records all treatments and reactions in the clinical and progress notes.

·      Administers diagnostic speech and language evaluations, some basic, informal audiological assessment.

·       Maintains appropriate records on visits to patients, including evaluation and plan of care.

·      Assists physician in evaluating level of function.

·      Helps develop the plan of care, as necessary.

·      Advises and consults with the family and other agency personnel.

·      Coordinates speech therapy program with other health care providers and family members.

·      Demonstrates therapy for the other health care providers or family member who may assist the patient with his/her speech and language rehabilitation.

·      Observes and evaluates the performance of those assisting in the speech program and provides guidance as necessary to assure a high quality of service.

·       Counsels the patients and their family members regarding the patient’s speech and language disturbances.

·      Re-evaluates the patient’s progress and therapy program making changes as necessary and under the physician’s direction.

·      Assists in referring patients to speech and audiology clinics and other community agencies.

·      Through individual and group staff education programs, prepares the nursing and other staff to assist patients with their speech and language problems.

·      Provides liaison contact and follow-up with other community agencies.

·      Participates in in-service programs.