The Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) organizes and provides speech-language services at Lasell Village to support resident rehabilitation, communication, and safe swallowing. Working across Independent Living, Lasell Studios (Supportive Living), and Lasell House (Skilled Nursing), the SLP directs resident participation in selected tasks to restore, reinforce, and enhance performance. The SLP facilitates the learning of those skills and functions essential for communication and swallowing, to diminish or remediate disorders or deficits, and directs activities to promote and maintain health within the scope of practice and consistent with the Code of Ethics of the profession.
Evaluation and plan of care
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Screen, examine, and evaluate residents — including history, systems review, and application of appropriate tests and measures.
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Synthesize information and interpret examination findings to establish a diagnosis, identify impairments, determine the predicted level of improvement and the time required to achieve it, and identify precautions and contraindications.
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Design and document a plan of care, including appropriate treatment goals and methods, in collaboration with the resident and caregivers.
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Perform routine re-examination as needed or required to modify or progress the plan of treatment.
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Adapt programs and plans of care according to the changing needs of individual residents.
Treatment and interventions
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Implement the speech-language pathology treatment plan, including therapeutic techniques in areas such as cognitive-communication, speech intelligibility, oral motor skills, swallowing disorders and dysphagia, perceptual abilities, orientation, memory, pragmatics, psychosocial expression, and functional communication.
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Coordinate the acquisition of adaptive communication devices and instruct residents in their use.
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Facilitate identification of hearing deficits and refer appropriately for assessment, diagnosis, rehabilitation, or personal amplification.
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Select appropriate activities suited to the individual's physical and mental capacity, intelligence level, and interests.
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Instruct residents in the skills and techniques required for participation in therapeutic activities, and evaluate resident progress, attitudes, and behavior as related to rehabilitative potential.
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Lead or co-lead community-based wellness classes, group programs, and educational sessions for residents — including voice maintenance, communication wellness, swallowing health and safety, and cognitive-communication groups.
Team collaboration
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Attend and contribute to resident care meetings, team conferences, and other related interdisciplinary meetings.
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Make referrals to other disciplines and external agencies to address the comprehensive needs of residents.
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Consult with other members of the rehabilitation and care teams to select the most appropriate therapeutic regimen.
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Supervise Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY) clinicians, temporary licensees, students, and support personnel in accordance with state licensure requirements and professional standards.
Documentation and operations
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Ensure the effective and efficient delivery of rehabilitation services, including adherence to the established plan of care, department schedule, and resident schedule.
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Complete timely and accurate documentation and record-keeping for all services consistent with department standards and regulatory requirements.
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Order supplies and equipment as necessary.
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Clean, maintain, identify, and report the need for repair of equipment as necessary.
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Promote a safe environment and support the elimination of fire and safety hazards.
Compliance and resident service
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Comply with applicable legal requirements, standards, and Lasell Village policies and procedures, including those addressing HIPAA and the Federal False Claims Act.
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Participate in required orientation, training, and quality improvement activities.
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Promptly report concerns and suspected incidences of non-compliance to a supervisor.
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Ensure that residents and families receive the highest quality of service in a caring and compassionate atmosphere that recognizes individual needs and rights.
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Perform other related duties as required.
SPECIFIC EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
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Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology, Communication Disorders, Communicative Disorders, or similarly titled area consistent with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
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Licensed, certified, or credentialed as required by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
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ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) required, except for clinicians completing their Clinical Fellowship (CFY).
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Good verbal and written communication skills.
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Good organizational and time management skills.
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Ability to work collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team.
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Compassionate and resident-centered approach to care.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS
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Combines clinical work in rehabilitation spaces with care delivered in resident apartments, Lasell Studios (Supportive Living), and Lasell House (Skilled Nursing).
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May need to reach overhead, handle objects, use finger dexterity, talk, hear, see, and feel.
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May need to move, transport, or position objects up to 50 pounds (pulling, lifting, carrying, pushing).
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Frequent standing and walking (typically 67–100% of working time); occasional sitting.
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May need to ascend and descend stairs, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, twist, and operate foot controls.
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Subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, and conditions, including tuberculosis, hepatitis, and other communicable conditions consistent with healthcare environments.
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May be subject to handling and exposure to cleaning agents, disinfectants, and hazardous chemicals.
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May need to wear protective clothing (gowns, gloves, masks) in accordance with policy.
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Subject to noise and vibrations, atmospheric conditions (dust, odors, fumes), and use of moving machinery and equipment.
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Moves intermittently during working hours and is subject to frequent interruptions.
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Subject to call-back during emergency conditions (e.g., severe weather, post-disaster).
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Occasional work beyond normal hours, on weekends, or holidays as resident or department needs require.
