Speech Language Pathologist

Description

Job Summary:

The Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) is responsible for providing consultation, coaching, evaluation, early intervention, and education for children ages zero to three and their families who are experiencing speech and language delays. The position combines working in Baby Clinic setting, completing evaluations for Early Start eligibility, and serving families in natural environments as part of a transdisciplinary early intervention team. 

Essential Functions:

• Provide speech therapy consultation, coaching, and evaluation related to speech, language, and swallowing disorders of children ages 0-3.
• In partnership with the Early Childhood Specialist (ECS) and family, seek understanding in the individual nature of child/family learning styles and adapt developmentally appropriate intervention strategies to better meet child/family individual needs, priorities, and context. Design individualized goals and objectives that are developmentally appropriate, functional in nature, and related to ongoing routines of the natural environments for the child and his/her family.
• Serve on the transdisciplinary team for early intervention evaluation, to assess infants and toddlers for Early Start eligibility by assessing the child’s speech, language, and other communication capacities using the Cognitive and Communications sections of the HELP assessment tool.
• Establish an ongoing alliance with families. Monitor progress regularly using the HELP assessment tool to adjust intervention strategies aimed at enhancing the child’s language and communication skills.
• Provide written reports with recommendations for EPU and Central Valley Regional Center (CVRC) staff as needed.
• Responsible for entering data accurately in the Apricot 360 system daily.
• Provide education and training to EPU staff and families.
• Maintain 25-30 billable hours per week.
•  Ensure appropriate referrals are linked successfully to community agencies to meet child/family needs.
•  Work collaboratively with other specialty providers to ensure recommended strategies are integrated for families.
• Foster strong collaboration, clear and consistent communication with the early intervention team assigned to the infants/toddlers.
• Maintain referral list and coordinate consultation/evaluation schedules.
• Provide assessment and training for an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) system for individuals with severe expressive and/or language comprehension disorders.
• Provide support, training, and education to parents/caregivers and family, allowing them to learn how to incorporate speech and language interventions in their everyday routines with the child. 
• Assist the Early Childhood Specialists, Early Intervention Assistants in setting Communication outcomes for children with receptive and expressive language delays.
• Stay up to date with the latest research and best practices in speech therapy, early intervention, and related fields.
• Adhere to EPU standards, policies, and procedures.
• Write letters of recommendation to physicians or therapists outside of EPU when needed.
• Attend staff meetings, conferences, training, and in-services.
• Maintain, manage, and process client records and information in a confidential manner that meets HIPAA and other applicable confidentiality regulations.
• Standard operating hours of the EPU facility are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. Position may require variation of hours depending upon family needs, availability, and department and position requirements. 
• One-to-two days of the week, the position will be focused on completing Early Start eligibility evaluations for the Baby Clinic as part of the transdisciplinary team; the rest of the days will work in the field as part of the early intervention team to support children and families in their natural environments through coaching and consultation. 
• The position will support both the Fresno and Merced areas. Requires travel to Merced at a minimum once per month.
• Must perform other duties as assigned by the program Sr. Program Manager, Director of Early Childhood Services, and/ or President/Chief Executive Officer.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skill, and Experience:

Education:

Must have a master’s degree-level accredited Speech Therapy Program. Licensed Speech Therapist by the State of California, Department of Consumer Affairs and Clinical Certificate of Competence from the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association.

Skills: Must have strong written and verbal communication skills, collaborative, organizational skills, goal setting, multi-tasking, written comprehension, listening skills, able to make independent decisions within guidelines, accept responsibility, dependable, reliable, time management, committed, highly motivated, professional code of ethics and professional demeanor, must be adaptable, use good judgement, logic skills, and self-confident. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to effectively collaborate with families, caregivers, and other professionals. Have a passion for working with young children and their families, and a commitment to providing high-quality care.

Experience:

• 1+ years’ experience work experience in pediatric speech and some experience working with children and families.
• 2+ years’ experience assessing and treating infants and young children with communication and/or other developmental challenges such as autism, early intervention, complex communication needs, AAC, apraxia, and other speech/language disorders. 
• Experience working with child development, speech and language milestones, and typical/atypical communication patterns in early childhood.
• Experience conducting comprehensive assessments and developing individualized treatment outcomes and plans.
• 2+ years’ experience working as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Must be proficient in assessing children birth-3 years of age with communication and related developmental challenges.
• Must be proficient in developing and implementing multidisciplinary family-centered treatment plans.
• Must be computer-literate, with knowledge of Microsoft Office products.
• Must hold a valid California Driver's license and good driving record with no serious violations for the previous two-year period and be able to provide proof of current automobile liability insurance.
• Bilingual in Spanish is a plus but not required.

Typical Working Conditions: The Position works primarily at the EPU facility. Staff may be required to visit families in their homes. EPU does not have control over the location and condition of all the environments staff may be exposed.  

Equipment Used: Therapy Swings, therapy ball, mats, and miscellaneous therapy equipment. Computers, printers, telephones, and other related office machines. Requires occasional operation of a motor vehicle for local travel.

Essential Physical Tasks: Must be able to sit for long periods of time, working with a keyboard and computer screen. When working with families it may be required to sit on floors, stand, lift, carry, push, pull, crawl, and stoop.

This position description may not be an exhaustive list of all duties, knowledge, or abilities associated with this classification; however, it is intended to accurately reflect the principal job elements. Related duties, knowledge, or abilities to those expressly stated may also be required for successful performance of the position.