Speech-Language Therapist

Since 1893, Helen Keller Services (HKS) has been committed to improving the lives of individuals who are blind, visually impaired, or have combined hearing and vision loss. HKS serves in the New York City/Long Island area from its new headquarters in dynamic downtown Brooklyn and the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adults of Sands Point, New York, which has a network of regional offices that extends HKS' reach across the United States. 

Helen Keller Services for the Blind is thrilled to announce we will be expanding our Children's Learning Center to two brand-new Long Island locations in Nassau and Suffolk County! These state-of-the-art facilities will serve preschool children who are blind or have low vision, as well as multiple disabilities, autism, Down syndrome, or pervasive developmental delays. This expansion reflects HKSB’s commitment to ensuring that Long Island families have access to the same high-quality early education and support services that have transformed lives in Brooklyn. 

The Speech Language Therapist provides one to one and/or group sessions with preschool children whose IEP mandates speech therapy up to 10 sessions per day. This position also maintains regular communication with parents, staff members and professionals outside of the Children’s Learning Center. This role requires recording daily session notes, writing quarterly/annual reports, attending various meetings, and other assigned duties related to communication needs of students within the program

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Record daily session notes into the appropriate system. 
• Compose and submit all Children’s Learning Center Quarterly and Annual Reports according to the associated deadlines
• Participate and contribute in weekly team meetings and all full staff meetings. 
• Maintain a professional demeanor at all times and contribute to the upkeep of their personal space and shared work space. 
• Must be able to explain, demonstrate, provide instruction and reinforce speech therapy goals to both the student’s parents and in-classroom staff. This will be done through working collaboratively with his / her follow therapists, teachers and the school principal to incorporate monthly curriculum themes into therapy sessions. The key elements of therapy sessions will include the following, when appropriate:

• Student’s communication skills, these include both receptive and expressive language skills
• Student’s articulation skills.
• Oral motor skills, this includes feeding, swallowing, chewing skills.
• Use and development of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices by for the student 

• The Speech Language Therapist must respect the rights of each student’s family to participate in decisions regarding their assessment and instructional program. 
• Facilitate each student’s independence and problem solving in their speech / language, cognitive and social emotional skills. 
• Communicate regularly with families of our students through the digital communication platform or other means of communication. Respond to parent inquires in a timely manner. 
• The position is required to complete 30 hours of continuing competency learning activities during every three-year registration cycle. Of these 30 hours, at least 20 must be completed in a "professional" area, and the remainder may be in a "related area” in addition to other agency required trainings. 

Following the initial six-month period covering the first year, staff are required to complete 15 hours of approved training annually, resulting in a minimum of 30 hours of approved training every two years

Required EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Master’s Degree from a College accredited in the field of Speech Therapy required. 
• Minimum 1-2 years’ experience working as a speech therapist. 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and school-related applications

Required CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

ASHA Certificate. licensed speech-language pathologist and audiologist in practice is required to complete 30 hours of continuing competency learning activities during every three-year registration cycle. Of these 30 hours, at least 20 must be completed in a "professional" area, and the remainder may be in a "related area." The registration is through the New York State Office of Professions.

At HKS we strive to provide a healthy work-life balance for our employees. We offer generous paid time off and a comprehensive benefit package after meeting requirements.

Position Benefits

• 403(B)
• 403(B) matching
• Dental Insurance
• Health insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off.
• Flexible spending accounts

 Helen Keller Services for the Blind is an equal opportunity employer.