Speech Language Pathologist

Niagara Children’s Centre isrecognized throughout the Niagara Region as the provider of rehabilitation andsupport services to children and youth with physical, developmental andcommunicative delays and disabilities.Core services include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech andlanguage services, augmentative and alternative communication, family servicesand therapeutic recreation. Our family-centred programs aim at helping eachchild achieve their own unique potential within their home, school and in thecommunity.

As an employee of the Centre,you will be part of a community dedicated to creating a welcoming andsupportive environment for the children and youth we serve. We are a place where families are at theheart of all we do. We continue to provide innovative ways of delivering highquality services and strengthening our family-centred care philosophy. We wantto see “Niagara’s Children and Youth at Their Best” Join a team that makes areal difference in the lives of children and youth every day.

The Role

The Speech-LanguagePathologist works to assess, identify, and treat communication difficulties inchildren in conjunction with parents and other caregivers to enhance quality oflife and participation. Communication difficulties may be in one or more of thefollowing areas: language (understanding others and expressing themselves);speech (sound development); fluency; voice/resonance; hearing (auralhabilitation); need for augmentative and alternative communication; andpragmatics.

As an employee ofNiagara Children's Centre, the Speech-Language Pathologist may be assigned toone or more services. These includeinter, multi- or uni-disciplinary services, and specialized programs providedby the Centre such as Augmentative and Alternative Communication.

Key Responsibilities :

- Assessment: The Speech-LanguagePathologist assesses a child to identify the presence or absence of communicationdifficulties/delays. Assessment includesthe administration of appropriate standardized and non-standardized testmaterials, and analysis and interpretation of these tests. Child observations and caregiver interviews arealso conducted. Assessment may takeplace at a variety of locations, such as the Centre, the child’s home, childcaresetting, school, and other community settings as well as virtual through telepractice.

- Treatment Planning: On thebasis of the assessment, the Speech-LanguagePathologist collaborates with thechild/family, teacher, school, relevanttherapists, and other community partners who may be involved, to identify goalsand to establish an appropriate treatment plan to achieve the goals.

- Intervention: The Speech-LanguagePathologist provides intervention to achieve the goals outlined in thetreatment plan and to maintain, develop or restore the child’s highestpotential for communication. Interventionmay be provided in various environments through a variety of service deliveryoptions (e.g., individual, group, parent coaching, home programming) on adirect, indirect or consultative basis and either in a uni-disciplinary settingor as part of an inter-disciplinary team. The Speech-LanguagePathologist is alsoresponsible for providing education to families and the community, aswell as engaging in promotional activities on behalf of the Centre.

- Supervision: The Speech-LanguagePathologist may be requested to supervise Communicative Disorders Assistants (CDAs)as part of his/her regular workload and in doing so, must adhere to thepolicies established in the College of Audiologists and Speech-LanguagePathologists of Ontario (CASLPO) position statement for Supportive Personnel.SLPs may also be requested to supervise SLP/CDA students or co-op studentswithin their routine caseload management.

- Documentation: The Speech-Language Pathologist isresponsible for daily/regular documentation within the Centre’s ClientInformation System in accordance with CASLPO guidelines (such as interventionnotes, consultation notes, reports at assessment or transition/discharge,records of appointments)). In additionthere may be documentation requirements such as internal and externalreferrals; funding application forms on behalf of families and correspondencewith families and community partners.

- Education: Through conferences,lectures and other training the Speech-Language Pathologist will keep currentin new approaches and research, particularly if assigned to a specializedclinic or role with emerging and changing knowledge and technology. SLPs may bedesignated by their Clinical Manager to provide specific interventions based ontheir clinical experience and additional training, such as providingcaregiver-focused group education opportunities (e.g. Hanen groups),assessment/treatment of children within the Ontario Infant Hearing Program (Auditory-VerbalTherapy for children with identified permanent hearing loss), andcaregiver-mediated therapy (e.g. Autism Navigator as per Ontario AutismProgram).

Health and Safety

TheSpeech-Language Pathologist will comply with the duties assigned to Workers asper Section 28 of the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act

Accountability and Freedom to Act:

Theincumbent has latitude for discretion within practices and procedures coveredby precedents, Centre policy and procedure manuals, standards of the College ofAudiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario, and supervisoryreview.

Key Relationships:

TheSpeech-Language Pathologist is concerned with the effectiveness of allrelationships that affect the Centre.The following are particularly significant to the position:

External

- Children,and their families and other caregivers

- Regulatedprofessionals involved in the care of the child/family such as physicians,public health personnel, nurse practitioners

- Teachersand Educational Assistants in all school and child care systems

- Staffof Community partner agencies and programs

- Vendorsand suppliers of equipment and services being considered for use byclients

- Staffat relevant government offices/branches that are responsible for approvaland/or provision of client specific funding, services or equipment

- Casemanagers at HNHB Home and Community Care Support Services (if assigned toAcute Home Care)

Internal

- Staffat all levels in the organization

Performance Factors:

Inassessing the performance of an incumbent in this position, the followingfactors will be utilized as appropriate:

- Workload and productivity relative toestablished standards

- Clinical outcomes – the degree to which careplans are well-designed and goals are achieved
- Documentation– the accuracy, relevance and timeliness

- Relationshipsand communication with clients andfamilies, colleagues, staff from other agencies

PositionSpecifications:

Education:

Theminimum specifications for an incumbent will include:

- Registration and member in good standing withthe College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario

Knowledge/Skills:

Anincumbent will be expected to have the following knowledge and skills:

- A sound understanding and skill in thepractice of Speech-Language Pathology

- The ability to work effectively with childrenand their families

- Sufficient computer literacy in MicrosoftOffice to complete work requirements

- Theability to complete assessment and provide intervention virtually viatelepractice

Other:

- Accessto reliable transportation and possession of a driver’s license valid for theprovince of Ontario is required

- A current criminal reference check forvulnerable populations

- CPR certification

- Evidence of non-violent crisis interventiontraining

Why Join Us?

- We provide a total rewards package thatsupports your well-being and supports and encourages continuous professionaldevelopment and growth.

- Provide a competitive hiring range of $83,050.5 - $97,812 commensurate with experience.

- Participation in a Defined BenefitPension Plan (HOOPP) from day one of employment with us, we offer healthcareand dental benefits, and access to the Employee and Family Assistance program.

Application Process

If you are inspired by the work ofNiagara Children’s Centre and would like to join our team, we want to hear fromyou To review the job description and pursuethis career opportunity, please visit our website at www.niagarachildrenscentre.com

We will be reviewing candidatesubmissions as they are received and move forward with interviews. Earlysubmission is encouraged.

Niagara Children’s Centre is committedto fair and accessible employment practices. Upon request, suitableaccommodation is available under the Accessibilityfor Ontarians with Disability Act (AODA) to applicants invited to aninterview.

We thank all those who apply but onlythose selected for further consideration will be contacted. The selectedcandidate will be required to participate in a Criminal Background Check.

#J-18808-Ljbffr