Speech Language Pathologist - Pediatric Outpatient

Overview

Position Overview
Speech & Language Pathologists provide services to develop, enhance, or restore functional communication, speech, language, and/or feeding/swallowing skills of clients whose abilities to communicate effectively and/or to eat safely and efficiently are threatened or impaired by physical, cognitive, social-emotional, and sensory impairments. Speech & Language Pathologists at NAPA Center complete skilled assessments and provide skilled intervention to infants, toddlers, children, and adolescents with a variety of diagnoses that impact speech production, receptive language, expressive language, social-pragmatic skills, and feeding/swallowing skills within the professional scope of practice.

The role requires all therapists to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team and provide evidence-based interventions to clients that include complex communication and feeding needs.

• Assessment, diagnosis, and treatment with documentation of speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication, and feeding-swallowing disorders primarily in the pediatric population.
• Possess general knowledge of child development to assess and refer families to other disciplines when appropriate.
• Assess a client’s communication and/or feeding/swallowing skills using a variety of standardized tools and clinical observation/informal analysis to identify primary impairments and determine a plan for treatment.
• Utilize multiple frames of reference to inform practice including but not limited to: neurodevelopmental, developmental biomechanical, sensory integration, motor learning, cognitive, and rehabilitation.
• Create tailored treatment plans to address client’s limitations, taking into account their age, abilities, and other medical/physical factors.
• Involvement with patient, family, and caregivers to train, teach, and provide strategies to improve communication in all environments.
• Assessment, development, application and/or training in the use of aided communication devices.
• Demonstrate understanding of the use of various AAC systems and access methods, including, but not limited to, eye gaze and switch access.
• Demonstrate understanding of assessment and treatment of oral-pharyngeal motor skills, feeding/swallowing mechanics, and sensory-based feeding difficulties.
• Utilization of multi-modal communication strategies (manual signs, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, verbal language, gesture, body language, partner-assisted scanning, etc.).
• Prescribe home exercise programs for patient/caregivers to promote carryover and generalization of skills obtained during therapy sessions for continued progress in the community.
• Adapt environments and processes to enhance functional performance of clients in and out of therapy sessions.
• Maintain impeccable documentation. Therapists have a dedicated documentation hour built into their schedule each day and are expected to use this time for report writing, including but not limited to evaluations, progress reports, school district annual IEP reports, assistive technology. Therapists are expected to ensure that treatment notes are recorded accurately and timely in the electronic health record system, according to the policies of NAPA Center.
• Actively participate in professional development including continuing education opportunities provided through the organization, from outside providers, as well as through opportunities offered as part of regular clinical supervision
• Act as a member of an interdisciplinary team to create a comprehensive developmental approach to client-centered care.
• Develop rapport with clients and families to build a relationship of trust and mutual respect.
• Work closely with administrative staff to manage the schedule and ensure that time is being used productively.
• Provide input into the development of clinical practices and procedures.
• Act in accordance with all company, legal and industry policies and ethics.
• Comply with all professional development requirements for maintenance of registration as a Speech & Language Pathologist with the appropriate licensing board.
• Work in a healthy and safe manner and encourage others to do…