Speech Therapist

JOB LOCATION: This position will serve both the Early Intervention and school age programs. For school age, the location territory is Line Mountain School District and for Early Intervention/Preschool, the locations will be the Line Mountain region as well as the Sunbury Children's Center, 600 Arch Street, Sunbury, PA. The anticipated start date is August 6, 2024.

JOB ASSIGNMENT: Itinerant - Early Intervention / Preschool and School-Age

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP: This position reports to the Program Supervisor of the Preschool / Early Intervention Program Supervisor and, in their absence, to the Director of Early Childhood Education.

JOB DEFINITION: The speech therapist evaluates preschool children, develops Individualized Education Plans (IEP), provides therapy, and consults with other preschool staff regarding implementing IEP communication goals.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for developing and implementing the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for students on caseload.

• Develop and provide direct instruction to students regarding their goals on the IEP.

• Implement and coach the IEP team on the specially designed instruction included in the IEP.

• Promote comprehensive, integrative speech/language programs for students in need of these services.

• Responsible for regularly monitoring progress on IEP goals to determine a child's progress or lack thereof.

• Responsible for creating and distributing student progress reports as outlined in the IEP and Early Intervention calendar.

• As assigned by your supervisor, participate in the screening and evaluation process with the Multi-Disciplinary Evaluations (MDE) team and develop the Evaluation Reports (ER) when instructed.

• Responsible for the timely development of student record reviews and re-evaluation reports as documented in preschool/school-age procedures.

• Coach staff and families, and early childhood partners on research-based best practices.

• Speech and Language Therapists will share their weekly schedule with their supervisor via Outlook or STaR.

• Adhere to OCDEL (Office of Child Development and Early Learning) initiatives.

• Review and adhere to the preschool program and school-age program policies and procedures.

• Assist in coordination of any transition activities for assigned children.

• Provides therapy in a variety of settings: school district programs, homes and centers.

• Develops materials for use by preschool staff (i.e., Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECs), augmentative devices, etc.).

• Attends in-service programs and conferences to meet to ensure current comprehensive knowledge of best practices.

• Maintains individual student tracking and billing information in a database that allows monthly data submission in a timely and efficient manner.

• Print and submit in a timely manner the required paperwork associated with Medicaid billing.

• Maintains organized records.

• Provides in-service training as needed.

• The speech therapist will exercise initiative and judgment in providing diagnostic, therapeutic and consultative services to students.

• The speech therapist will work as a member of a multidisciplinary team in the overall delivery of programs to students and will be familiar with best practices.

• Requisition necessary supplies, materials, and equipment to complement a comprehensive program.

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Performs other related duties as assigned by immediate supervisor and designee.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Minimum requirement is a Master's degree in the area of speech/language required.

• Valid Pennsylvania Speech / Language Impaired teacher certification required;

• Currently holding or in the process of obtaining, a Pennsylvania state licensure as a Speech Therapist.

• Experience with early language development and preschool children is required.

• Good interpersonal skills, excellent organizational / time management skills and knowledge of typical child development.

• Possess an understanding of state and federal regulations as they pertain to early childhood and/or special education.

• Possess the ability to direct, control, plan, and use good judgment and communicate effectively to stimulate learning.

• Experience in social services with families or mental health is beneficial.

• Highly effective interpersonal skills, teamwork and an ability to function independently required.

• Effective operation of personal computers and email is an essential part of this position.

• Possess the ability to direct, control, plan, and use good judgment and communicate effectively to stimulate learning.

• Ability to cope with stressful situations required.

• Ability to complete extensive paperwork within timelines required.

• Ability to accept great cultural diversity required.

• Must have ability to communicate and work effectively with colleagues, co-workers, community agency personnel, and students/trainees.

• Requires the ability to develop and maintain positive and collaborative relationships using tact and diplomacy and to remain calm in unpredictable situations.

ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY QUALIFICATIONS:

• Current, approved Act 34 (PA State Police), Act 151 (PA Child Abuse Registry) and Act 114-FBI Fingerprint clearances are required and must be renewed at appropriate, specific intervals pursuant to Act 153 of 2014 (revised Act 15 of 2015).

• Current, approved Act 126 Mandated Reporter Training certificate showing completion of a minimum of three (3) hours training every five (5) years.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENTS:

• Maintain PDE certification requirements of Act 48 hours for the Professional Education Records Management System (PERMS) specific five (5) year periods.

• Earn Continuing Education hours to maintain professional (ASHA) and/or state licensure.

• Attend training seminars and in-service programs identified as important to job assignment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must have strength and ability to lift young children and carry therapy bag up to 50 lbs and with assistance if over 25 lbs).

• Must be able to negotiate stairs and rough terrain at centers and homes.

• Must be able assist children with self-help skills.

• Sedentary: Able to sit for extended periods of time, occasional walking, standing (as necessary). Must tolerate considerable bending, stooping, and squatting.

• Dexterity: Finger movements (computer keyboard, calculator), eye-hand coordination (office equipment, etc.).

• Audio-Visual Requirements: Within normal range with or without correction.

• Is able to move throughout all buildings, floors and grounds.

• Worksite Environment: Primarily indoors-office setting with occasional exposure to outdoor elements/climate during the day.

• Mental demands: Steady response to unpredictable situations, ability to remain calm and productive during stressful situations. Demonstrates independent judgment, discretion and is able to manage multiple projects and deadlines.

• Ability to travel to various work site locations and meetings as needed.

TIME AND SITE REQUIREMENTS:

• This is a full time, exempt bargaining unit position which follows a 188 day, 7.5 hours per day, over a 12-month period schedule.

• Attendance at work is a requirement of this position; any and all absences must be approved by the immediate supervisor.

• Must have the ability to travel to various work locations; and able to arrive at various locations on schedule over a wide geographic area.

CSIU PROPERTY AND CONFIDENTIALITY REQUIREMENTS:

• All property, including intellectual property, materials, equipment or actual products and services developed or accrued as part of the job duties and responsibilities listed above, is the property of the CSIU. It may not be used for personal profit or gain and will be relinquished to the CSIU upon termination of employment from the CSIU.

• The person employed in this position shall maintain confidentiality with regard to the personal and private information about clients and coworkers, programs and services and any other proprietary information accrued as a result of CSIU employment or as required by state or federal laws and regulations.

• The person employed in this position must adhere to all requirements identified in the code of professionalism entitled "Ambassadors Are Professionals, Too" and CSIU Administrative Regulation 317-AR-1 CSIU Service Standards.

The position holder must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation. It is the responsibility of the employee to inform their supervisor and the Director of Human Resources of any and all reasonable accommodations that will be required.