SPEECH & LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST - EARLY LEARNING PARTNERSHIPS

About the role

The Speech Language Pathologist for Early Learning Partnerships will partner with Early Learning programs (serving children birth-age 5) in St. Joseph County to integrate speech therapy, in addition to providing First Steps Services. This position will support bringing speech therapy strategies into classrooms, while providing document support and modeling for teachers. This position will also provide training and education to teachers and families on developmental delays, and disabilities.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate clients with a team of therapists or on an individual basis.
• Communicate the results of the assessment/screening as directed.
• Determine each child’s assistive technology needs, including adaptive toys and switches, feeding devices, oral motor needs, augmentative communication, etc.
• Conduct individual therapy when appropriate to maintain or enhance speech and language abilities, or training to improve/maintain feeding and pre-feeding skills.
• Provide the necessary program information to enhance these outcomes.
• Facilitate the growth of the child's caregivers as teachers by providing the resources and support necessary to adequately meet each goal.
• Provide caregivers with a developmental model of learning which will help them to clarify and realize their own child's needs.
• Allow for the general well-being and safety of the children.
• Plan instructional activities/home program for caregivers as well as activities for primary care givers in community settings.
• Provide evaluations in a variety of settings to determine program needs of infants and toddlers.
• Deal effectively with other staff, agencies, and community programs, as well as children and their parents/guardians.
• Keep daily progress notes, make quarterly reports on, and maintain records of, evaluations, home visits, etc.
• Write discharge summaries and complete an exit skills inventory for all children who are transitioning to the school system when turning three.
• Participate in case conferences, staff meetings, parent group meetings when requested.
• Participate with other team members in writing quarterly reports.
• Serve as a resource person for information on auditory perception, positioning, feeding, oral motor and typical speech and language development.
• Furnish all required monthly statistics on a timely basis.
• Provide reports and written programs to families and other professionals following First Steps guidelines.
• Responsible for the health and safety of persons served.
• Expected to serve as role model for persons served.
• Expected to serve as an advocate and to protect the human rights of persons served.
• Expected to participate in all required training per this position and required through LOGAN.
• Respect the confidentiality and cultural diversity of the child and their family, in accordance with LOGAN policies.
• May be asked to serve on a LOGAN committee that addresses the internal operations of the agency.
• Participate with all First Steps staff and other community agency personnel in developing appropriate outcomes for Individual Family Service Plans.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Speech and Language and licensure in the State of Indiana.
• One year of experience implementing therapy programs for special needs infants and toddlers, or college practicum work in developing appropriate activities and strategies for infants and toddlers.
• One year of experience using evaluation tools related to infants and toddlers.
• Registered/licensed with the Health Professions Bureau of Indiana.
• Enrolled in the state of Indiana as First Steps provider.
• Valid driver’s license and the ability to drive to and from each visit, therapy session, or Individual Family Service Plan site.