AgeWell PACE
PACE Speech Therapist (Per Diem)
Department(s): PACE
Reports to: PACE Center Director
FLSA status: Non-Exempt
EEOC Classification: Professionals
Job Summary
The Speech Therapist plays a vital role in the interdisciplinary care team for the AgeWell PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) program. The Speech Therapist has the responsibility of evaluating and reassessing participants upon referral from the Interdisciplinary Team. This position focuses on providing speech and language therapy services to PACE participants, primarily senior citizens, to enhance their communication abilities, improve their quality of life, and ensure their overall well-being.
The Speech Therapist collaborates with a diverse team of healthcare professionals to assess, plan, and implement individualized treatment plans for PACE participants.
Position Responsibilities
- Assessment and Evaluation:
- Conduct comprehensive assessments to identify speech and language disorders, cognitive impairments, and communication challenges in PACE participants.
- Collaborate with other healthcare professionals to gather information relevant to participants' conditions.
- Develop individualized care plans based on assessment results.
- Speech Therapy Interventions:
- Provide evidence-based speech and language therapy interventions to improve participants' communication skills, speech fluency, and swallowing abilities.
- Administer therapeutic exercises and techniques as needed, including articulation exercises, language training, and voice therapy.
- Adapt therapy plans to participants' specific needs and abilities.
- Treatment Monitoring and Documentation:
- Maintain detailed and accurate records of all therapy sessions, progress, and treatment plans.
- Regularly evaluate participants' progress and modify treatment plans as necessary to achieve therapeutic goals.
- Provide timely reports and updates to the interdisciplinary team.
- Education and Support:
- Offer guidance and support to participants and their families, educating them about speech and language disorders, therapeutic strategies, and home exercises.
- Collaborate with other team members to ensure holistic care for participants, considering their medical, emotional, and psychosocial needs.
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration:
- Actively participate in team meetings and contribute to care planning discussions.
- Coordinate care with other healthcare professionals, including physical therapists, occupational therapists, social workers, and physicians, to provide comprehensive care.
- Compliance and Quality Assurance:
- Adhere to all relevant regulatory and compliance standards, including PACE program guidelines and state licensing requirements.
- Ensure the highest quality of care delivery by staying current with industry best practices and continuing education.
Possess the Ability To
- §Maintain a positive, flexible, and solution-focused attitude, with both the ability to collaborate effectively in a team setting and to work independently.
- Provide feedback to support IDT decision making.
- Be organized within busy center and clinic environments.
- Maintain effective interpersonal relationships cross-departmentally, and, as applicable, with agencies, members, providers, and the public.
- Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with individuals from varying cultural backgrounds.
- Prepare concise and clear reports.
- Multi-task on projects and their respective activities, timelines, and issues.
- Effectively utilize computer and software tools.
- Only act within the scope of their authority to practice.
- Work in a dynamic and fast-changing environment.
- Work within an effective team environment, where each team member is held accountable for their independent work.
- Approach the role with an openness to new ideas, cultural humility, and acknowledgment of the dynamics of privilege.
- Reinforce strategic DEI initiatives set by the leadership team and Board of Directors and assist in building a culture that models inclusive behaviors, proactively manages bias, and provides opportunities for strengthening DEI acumen through development and training,
- Meet a standardized set of competencies for the specific position description established by AgeWell PACE and approved by regulatory agencies before working independently.
- Be medically cleared for communicable diseases and have all immunizations up to date before engaging in direct participant contact.
- Pass a criminal background which will verify that the candidate is: not excluded from participation in Medicare and Medicaid programs; has not been convicted of criminal offenses related to their involvement in Medicaid, Medicare, other health insurance or health care programs, or social services programs under title XX of the Act; and have not been convicted of physical, sexual, drug or alcohol abuse.
Knowledge of
- Physical, mental, and social needs of frail older adults.
- Principles and practices of health care, health care systems, and managed care.
- Community-based organizations, agencies, and community services.
- Culture and needs of the socially and ethnically diverse population AgeWell PACE serves.
- Team and value-based care.
- Regulatory policies, rules, and regulations.
- Familiarity and/or experience with geriatrics.
Experience & Education
- Graduate of a Master’s level speech-language pathology program approved by the board of American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
- Have 2 years’ experience as an ST, minimum 1 year experience working with a frail or elderly population.
- Licensed Speech Therapist in CA, valid CA driver's license and vehicle.
- Demonstrates clinical competency with geriatric population. Only acts within the scope of his or her authority to practice. Meet a standardized set of competencies for the specific position description established by AgeWell PACE and approved by CMS before working independently.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical demands: Employee must be able to sit, stand, and walk, as well as lift, position, push, and/or transfer participants. Duties may require frequent reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, and crouching. Employee will also be actively present throughout the PACE center, engaged with employees, participants and with staff. Employee is required to use hands and fingers, especially for typing on the computer and using the mouse. Employee must be able to talk and hear, particularly for daily interactions with staff and elderly participants.
Work Environment: Employee must be able to work in a busy and demanding clinic environment with moderate to loud noise levels.
The Job duties, elements, responsibilities, skills, functions, experience, educational factors and the requirements and conditions listed in this job description are representative only and not exhaustive of the tasks that an employee may be required to perform. The Employer reserves the right to revise this job description at any time and to require employees to perform other tasks as circumstances or conditions of its business, competitive considerations, or work environment change.
Pay: $55.00 - $70.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 403(b)
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- Mileage reimbursement
Work Location: In person
