Description

Job Summary:

The Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) is responsible for providing consultation, coaching, evaluation, early intervention, and education for children aged three to three and their families who are experiencing speech and language delays. The position serves 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 on-going routines of the natural environments for the child and his/her family.
• Establish an ongoing alliance with families. Monitor progress regularly using the HELP assessment ta child’s adjust intervention strategies aimed at enhancing child’s language and communication skills.
• Provide written reports with recommendations for EPU and Central Valley Regional Center (CVRC) staff as needed.
• Responsible to enter data accurately in the Apricot 360 system daily.
• Provide education and training to EPU staff and families.
• Must meet billable productivity expectations as outlined for the position.
• 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 Early Childhood Specialist, 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.
• Attending staff meetings, case 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.
• Must perform other duties as assigned by the program Sr. Manager, Director of Early Childhood Services, and/ or 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.

Experience:

• 1 years’ experience working in pediatric speech and 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.
• Must be proficient in assessing children birth-3 years of age with communication and related developmental challenges.
• Experience working with child development, speech and language milestones, typical/atypical communication patterns in early childhood.
• 2 years’ experience working as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience conducting comprehensive assessments and developing individualized treatment outcomes and plans.
• Must be proficient in developing and implementing multidisciplinary family centered treatment plans.
• Must be computer literate, 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.
• Bi-lingual in Spanish is a plus but not required.

Physical Demands:

Typical Working Condition: 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: Computers, printers, telephones, and fax machines. May require the ability to operating of a vehicle for local travel.

Essential Physical Tasks: Must be able to sit for long periods of time, working with a keyboard, computer screen. When working with families 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.