Speech Language Pathologist

About the role

Speech & Language Pathologists provide services to develop, enhance, or restore functional communication, speech, language, and/or feeding/swallowing skills of clients whose abilities to communicate effectively and/or to eat safely and efficiently are threatened or impaired by physical, cognitive, social-emotional, and sensory impairments.

Responsibilities

• Assessment, diagnosis, and treatment with documentation of speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication, and feeding-swallowing disorders primarily in the pediatric population.
• Possess general knowledge of child development to assess and refer families to other disciplines when appropriate.
• Audit a client’s communication and/or feeding/swallowing skills using a variety of standardized tools and clinical observation/informal analysis to identify primary impairments and determine a plan for treatment.
• Create tailored treatment plans to address client’s limitations, taking into account their age, abilities, and other medical/physical factors.
• Involvement with patient, family, and caregivers to train, teach, and provide strategies to improve communication in all environments.
• Assessment, development, application and/or training in the use of aided communication devices.
• Demonstrate understanding of the use of various AAC systems and access methods, including, but not limited to, eye gaze and switch access.
• Demonstrate understanding of assessment and treatment of oral-pharyngeal motor skills, feeding/swallowing mechanics, and sensory-based feeding difficulties.
• Utilization of multi-modal communication strategies (manual signs, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, verbal language, gesture, body language, partner-assisted scanning, etc.).
• Prescribe home exercise programs for patient/caregivers to promote carryover and generalization of skills obtained during therapy sessions for continued progress in the community.
• Adapt environments and processes to enhance functional performance of clients in and out of therapy sessions.
• Actively participate in professional development including continuing education opportunities provided through the organization, from outside providers, as well as through opportunities offered as part of regular clinical supervision.
• Maintain impeccable documentation. Ensure that treatment notes are recorded accurately and timely in the electronic health record system, according to the policies of NAPA Center.
• Report writing including but not limited to evaluations, progress reports, school district annual IEP reports, assistive technology.
• Act as a member of an interdisciplinary team to create a comprehensive developmental approach to client-centered care.
• Develop rapport with clients and families to build a relationship of trust and mutual respect.
• Work closely with administrative staff to manage the schedule and ensure that time is being used productively.
• Provide input into the development of clinical practices and procedures.
• Work in a healthy and safe manner and encourage others to do the same.

Qualifications

• Completion of at least a Master of Arts or Applied Science in Speech-Language Pathology, Communication Disorders, Communication Sciences and Disorders, or equivalent, from an accredited university.
• Must have and maintain state license with the appropriate licensing board.
• Must have and maintain ASHA CCC credentials.
• Strong clinical experience - at least 2 years post graduate experience, preferably in a pediatric setting with exposure to children and/or young adults with complex disabilities.
• Background clearance by the DOJ and FBI.
• Annual TB test clearance.
• CPR and First Aid certificates.
• Good physical health and fitness, including the ability to frequently perform, on a daily basis, the following movements over a 6-8 hour period without experiencing pain or abnormal fatigue:
• Lift, push or pull up to and including 50 pounds with hands and wrists as therapeutic handling is manually intensive
• Independently transfer dependent patients up to 85 pounds
• Independently offer contact guard assistance for ambulatory patients of up to 125 pounds
• Maintain extended periods of standing and/or sitting on the floor for up to 7 hours per day
• Move from floor to standing position back to floor frequently (6-7 hours) throughout the day

Skills

• Ability to communicate confidently and effectively with clients and other medical professionals.
• Display a level of professional empathy towards clients and the ability to develop rapport.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with clients and their families.
• Exercise discipline by completing all documentation, reporting requirements and training in an accurate and timely manner.
• Team player that can demonstrate the values for working as part of multi-disciplinary team to advance a client’s needs.
• Demonstrates the ability to take on additional responsibilities with time, including assessment and development of treatment plans for more complex cases, supervision of therapy aides/volunteers and additional clinic responsibilities.
• Ability to travel for periods of time for training/treating may be required.

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision insurance, in addition to non-medical options such as hospital indemnity and critical illness.
• Paid time off accruals immediately upon start.
• Personal time (12 hours annually to be used for appointments that cannot be made outside of work hours).
• Wellness program with stipend to be used for an appointment that focuses on physical and mental wellness.
• Professional development allowance of $500 upon each year of qualifying service, with the ability to roll to the next year, up to $1,000 total.
• Growing families program that allows increased compensation for 1 - 2 years following the birth or adoption of child.
• International opportunities in London and Australia.
• 12-week training opportunities and ongoing mentorship throughout employment.
• Annual merit increase based on performance review.
• Step program that allows for increased clinical skills and additional compensation during the annual review for each level achieved.