Speech Therapist / Speech-Language Pathologist

About Direct Care Home Health Services

Direct Care Home Health Services is a mission-driven home health agency serving adults and seniors across Washington, DC. We deliver high-quality, patient-centered care that helps people remain safe, independent, and supported at home. Our promise—Compassionate Care Delivered—guides how we partner with patients, caregivers, and providers to improve outcomes and strengthen continuity of care.

Position Summary

The Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) provides in-home evaluation, treatment, and care planning for patients with communication, cognitive-linguistic, voice, and swallowing disorders. The SLP develops individualized, evidence-based treatment plans, educates patients and caregivers, collaborates with physicians and the interdisciplinary team, and documents services in accordance with regulatory, payer, and agency requirements. This role supports improved function, safety, quality of life, and reduced risk of complications such as aspiration, falls, and avoidable hospitalizations.

Schedule & Travel

Full-time, part-time, or PRN; primarily daytime hours with occasional evening, weekend, or holiday coverage as assigned. Local travel within the District of Columbia.

Key Responsibilities

Assessment & Evaluation

• Perform comprehensive speech-language pathology evaluations in the home to assess speech, language, cognition, voice, fluency, and swallowing function.
• Identify deficits impacting communication, cognition, safety, nutrition/hydration, and quality of life; determine rehabilitation potential and appropriate treatment frequency.
• Complete standardized and functional assessments, establish measurable goals, and document findings clearly in the EMR.

Treatment Planning & Intervention

• Develop, implement, and update individualized treatment plans based on clinical findings, physician orders, and patient/caregiver goals.
• Provide skilled therapy interventions for aphasia, dysarthria, apraxia, dysphagia, cognitive-linguistic impairment, voice disorders, and related conditions within SLP scope of practice.
• Recommend compensatory strategies, adaptive techniques, and home exercise programs to support carryover and independence.
• Monitor patient response to treatment and modify interventions as needed to optimize outcomes.

Swallowing & Safety Management

• Assess swallowing function and aspiration risk within home health scope; provide dysphagia management, safe-swallow strategies, and caregiver instruction.
• Collaborate with physicians, nursing, dietitians, and caregivers regarding diet recommendations, precautions, and follow-up as appropriate.
• Promptly communicate any signs of aspiration, nutritional risk, or decline in status to the RN and provider.

Caregiver Education & Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Educate patients and caregivers on communication support strategies, cognitive retraining techniques, swallowing precautions, and home program implementation.
• Collaborate with physicians, nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, home health aides, and case managers to align treatment plans and support continuity of care.
• Participate in case conferences, interdisciplinary meetings, and care coordination activities as assigned.

Documentation, Compliance & Quality

• Complete timely, accurate documentation in the EMR, including evaluations, visit notes, treatment progress, communication logs, and discharge summaries.
• Ensure documentation supports medical necessity, physician orders, payer requirements, agency quality standards, and clean claims.
• Adhere to HIPAA, Medicare Conditions of Participation (CoPs), agency policies, and professional practice standards.
• Use EVV/visit verification workflows as applicable and resolve documentation deficiencies within required timeframes.

Program Support & Professional Practice

• Support quality improvement initiatives related to therapy outcomes, visit timeliness, and patient satisfaction.
• Maintain current knowledge of evidence-based speech-language pathology practice, home health regulations, and documentation standards.
• Provide input into therapy workflows, education resources, and process improvements that strengthen patient care and operational performance.

Qualifications

Required

• Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology or Communication Disorders from an accredited program.
• Current licensure as a Speech-Language Pathologist in the District of Columbia, in good standing.
• Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) or eligibility as required by the role and payer guidelines.
• Current BLS/CPR certification.
• 1+ year of recent speech-language pathology experience; home health, rehabilitation, SNF, outpatient, or acute care experience preferred.
• Proficiency with EMR systems and Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel).
• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and ability to travel to patient homes.

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