Home Health Speech-Language Pathologist
Newton, MA
Access Healthcare
5x8 hrs, Days

Job Opportunity: Speech Language Pathologist - Home Health

Location: Newton, Massachusetts
Facility: Mass General Brigham Home Care
Hospital System: Mass General Brigham
Employment Type: Long-Term Assignment (LTA)
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Description

Provide speech therapy services to patients in their homes who have impairments, functional limitations, or disabilities due to injury, disease, or other causes. Patient ages range from birth to over 100 years. Collaborate with patients, families, physicians, and interdisciplinary teams to identify needs and coordinate care. Manage technical, environmental, and financial resources related to patient care.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct age-appropriate evaluations reflecting patient history, systems review, and tests; report findings to primary clinician.
• Participate in weekend rotations once every 6 weeks.
• Reassess treatment plans at least every 2 weeks; communicate updates to patients, caregivers, and interdisciplinary team.
• Ensure physician orders are current and documented in medical records.
• Submit patient schedules to rehab scheduler by end of day Thursday.
• Orient and supervise Home Health aides per agency and state guidelines.
• Manage patient caseloads according to agency, state, and professional standards.
• Complete and submit documentation timely per agency standards.
• Update Plan of Care (POC) devices weekly or as directed.
• Verify payor information on admission/evaluation within agency and regulatory guidelines.
• Maintain documentation for Managed Care authorizations and Durable Medical Equipment (DME) requirements within designated timeframes.
• Ensure visit schedules align with Managed Care authorizations.
• Maintain casemix weight and utilization/caseload goals; discuss with Rehab Manager regularly.
• Achieve reportable outcomes that meet agency goals.
• Set realistic, objective, time-oriented patient goals based on examination findings.
• Develop treatment and discharge plans aligned with patient goals.
• Inform patients of weekly schedules and any changes promptly.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Registered with the Board of Registration in Massachusetts as a Speech Therapist.
• Minimum two years of experience in acute care, rehabilitation, or homecare as a Speech Therapist.
• Proficient computer skills with ability to learn new software applications.
• Experience working within an interdisciplinary team.
• Strong verbal, written, and electronic communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills; ability to work with diverse populations.

Onboarding & Credential Requirements

• Professional license verification and primary source verification required (no conditional licenses accepted).
• MGB Badge Photo (recent, professional headshot).
• Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check within 45 days of start (required for home care).
• Fit Test for N95 respirator within 365 days of start, updated annually.
• Documentation of MMR vaccination or immunity proof.
• TB test documentation within 3 months of start, updated if >6 month break.
• Physician health statement within 365 days of start, updated if >6 month break.
• Criminal background check within 45 days prior to start, including Massachusetts CORI and national sex offender registry checks.
• Education verification of highest degree achieved.
• Respirator Medical Clearance attestation if fit test required.
• Submission of resume covering past 7 years of work experience.
• Two recent references (minimum one supervisor or above).
• Completion of MGB Skills Checklist and Candidate Submission Coversheet.
• Confirmation of Assignment/POI form upon acceptance and for extensions.
• Exclusion checks (OIG, GSA, MassHealth, NH Medicaid) within 30 days of start and annually.

Additional Notes

• Weekend rotations occur once every 6 weeks.
• No religious exemptions for fit testing or influenza vaccine requirements during flu season.
• Influenza vaccine required during flu season (Sept 15 - April 30).
• Hepatitis B vaccination strongly preferred but optional.
• Positive TB skin test requires negative chest X-ray documentation.

This position offers the opportunity to work in a respected healthcare system providing essential home health speech therapy services with interdisciplinary collaboration and comprehensive patient care management.