Speech Therapist

Position Summary: As a member of a multidisciplinary team dedicated to providing high quality services to individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, the Speech Therapist works closely with infants, children and/or adults who have various levels of speech, language and communication problems, and with individuals who have swallowing, drinking or eating difficulties.

The Speech Therapist is responsible for assessing, diagnosing, treating and helping to prevent communication and swallowing disorders.

Areas of Responsibility:

• Service Delivery – Delivers quality speech therapy services in support of the physical, social, and psychological well-being of intellectually and/or developmentally disabled individuals.

• Manages caseload effectively to ensure therapy services result in successful outcomes. Activities include but are not limited to:

• Identifying the individual's developmental speech and communication difficulties/disorders, such as stuttering, delayed language, swallowing disorders, or inappropriate pitch or harsh voice problems, based on own assessments and recommendations of physicians, psychologists, or social workers;
• Administering hearing or speech and language evaluations, tests, or examinations to collect information on type and degree of impairments, using written or oral tests or special instruments;
• Evaluating medical and/or background information to diagnose and plan treatment for speech, language, fluency, voice, or swallowing disorders;
• Assessing the root cause of swallowing and communication difficulties (e.g., congenital problems, acquired disorders after a stroke or injury, etc.);
• Developing and implementing appropriate treatment programs;
• Assessing communication environments; Developing and implementing alternative diagnostic or communication devices or strategies;
• Delivering therapy to individuals on a one-to-one basis, and in groups, as appropriate;
• Monitoring and evaluating each individual's progress; Making adjustments, as necessary.
• Instructs individuals in techniques for more effective communication, such as sign language, lip reading, or voice improvement.
• Develops individual or group activities, lesson plans, educational or therapeutic games and/or programs to address behavior, speech, language, or swallowing problems.
• Conducts and/or assists teachers and direct care staff with individual and group activities.
• Consults with and refer individuals for additional medical or educational services.
• Ensures speech therapy services meet the terms and conditions of funding sources.

• Documentation and Recordkeeping – Follows proper documentation and recordkeeping procedures in compliance with ASC policies and procedures.

• Documents caseload activities, including the initial evaluation, treatment, progress, and discharge of individuals.

• Submits speech therapy-related reports, including Medicaid and/or billing reports, in a timely manner.
• Prepares information requested by grant sponsors or as required by ASC management, federal, state, and/or local regulations.

• Communication – Facilitates the sharing of relevant information between all disciplines through informal communication, participation in meetings and documentation with the best interests of the individuals in mind.

• Maintains strict confidentiality regarding each individual's health information in compliance with HIPAA regulations and ASC's policies and procedures.

• Collaborates with other members of the individual's Circle of Support to provide the best level of service to the individuals; Participates in IP/PEP meetings, medical reviews, in-services, etc.
• Maintains effective lines of communication with the individuals being served and their families/guardians, direct care staff, supervisors and managers and the rest of the interdisciplinary team, concerning each individual's progress, sharing concerns and ideas.
• Promptly communicates with appropriate ASC personnel regarding any issues that impact the health or safety of the individuals.

• Training and Development

• Provides training to individuals, families/guardians and direct care staff on treatment programs, communication techniques and strategies to cope with or to avoid personal misunderstandings.

• Participates in conferences, training, continuing education courses, and research activities to stay current on new hearing or speech disorder treatment methods or technologies.

Minimum Education and Work Experience Requirements:

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university. Major emphasis in speech-language pathology, preferred.
• Current Florida certification in Speech-Language Pathology.
• At least 1 year of work experience (internships and externships may count towards work experience requirement)

Skills Required:

• Must be able to effectively communicate in English (read, write and speak) with employees, peers, supervisors, program participants and external stakeholders.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills (verbal and written).
• Ability to prepare and interpret data.
• Computer literate (Microsoft Office).
• Ability to adapt quickly to unexpected changes, deadlines or business demands and to make sound business judgments independently and under pressure.
• Effective problem-solving, reasoning and critical thinking skills.
• Self-motivated and highly organized, with ability to multi-task & prioritize work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive data.

Typical Physical, Mental and Emotional Demands: The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.

• This is a moderately sedentary position, requiring frequent sitting and close computer and telephone work.
• Travel by vehicle to and from ICF, group homes, training facilities, offsite meetings, etc.
• Must be able to see, hear and communicate effectively with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must be able to handle stress of working with non-verbal, non-ambulatory clients who need assistance with most aspects of activities of daily living.
• Must be able to deal with offensive behavior, inappropriate or offensive remarks from individuals, their families, and staff in an appropriate manner.
• Must be able to separate personal issues and work issues and maintain decorum and self-control in dealing with individuals being served, other staff, and families.

Working Conditions: Primary duties are in office, Preschool, intermediate care facility and/or group home environments with moderate to loud noise levels.