Speech Language Pathologist Assistant

**Speech Language Pathologist Assistant**

**Job Summary**

As an ABC Head Start Speech Language Pathologist Assistant, you will play an integral role in supporting ABC Head Start’s mission and vision of raising families out of poverty and helping children harness their superpowers, conquer hardships, and live their best life while ensuring all children have equal access to a full and successful life. Supported by the Site Supervisor and Speech Language Pathologist, the SLPA is responsible for supporting the provision of service of children requiring development in areas including but not limited to Speech and language delays/disorders, communication and fluency disorders, voice and resonance disorders, swallowing and feeding disorders, cognitive-communication disorders and pre-literacy/literacy skills.

**Major Functions and Responsibilities**:

- Adhere to ABC Head Start policies, procedures and standards of practice

**Screening**
- Collaborate with classroom team, families/caregivers and other interdisciplinary team members to determine speech-language needs of identified children
- Utilize informal screening and/or observation of identified children and document student skills and abilities
- Assist the Speech-Language Pathologist with preparing materials for assessments and collecting data
- Contribute toFunctional Observation Assessmentdocument

**IPP Contribution and Monitoring**
- In collaboration with the interdisciplinary team and families/caregivers, recommend goals for the IPP, suggesting specific accommodations and interventions required for success
- Monitor and regularly review goals, accommodations, and/or interventions in collaboration with interdisciplinary team and families/caregivers
- In consultation with Speech-Language Pathologist, review, and revise measures and/or goals as necessary
- Participate in family/caregiver meetings as needed

**Planning and Intervention**
- Aid in the development of differentiated instruction strategies, including activities and strategies to support speech-language development
- Provide recommendations for, and develop activities, materials, tools, and/or technology to facilitate learning
- Support the implementation of a variety of treatment approaches to meet the needs of each child - individual, small group, and/or whole group interventions in and out of the classroom setting, as assigned by supervising Speech-Language Pathologist
- Document details of intervention based on standards outlined by the Alberta College of Speech Language Pathologists and Audiologists (ACSLPA) and as assigned by the supervising Speech-Language Pathologist
- Facilitate groups and educational workshops for families/caregivers on pertinent speech and language topics independently or in co-facilitation with the Speech-Language Pathologist

**Case Management**
- Discuss, in consultation with interdisciplinary team and family/caregivers, student skill development, progress, observations, and updates
- Report/document student strengths, achievements, needs, and other noteworthy observations
- Complete documentation of updates in child file for parents/caregivers to receive during monthly informal communication as assigned
- Contribute to the year-end transition report for those children requiring continued speech-language support as assigned by the supervising Speech-Language Pathologist

**Research and Best Practice Continued Competency**
- Keep up to date on best practice and current professional practice
- Keep up to date on agency and provincial policies

**Professional Supervision/Evaluation**
- Regularly meet with and receive feedback from Speech-Language Pathologist regarding assigned duties and scope of practice
- Create, review and complete progress on professional goals in Performance Review
- Participate in monthly or as-needed supervisions with Program Supervisor

**Required Skills & Experience**:

- Minimum of 1-year experience working with toddlers, and preschool children, including working with children with special needs
- Knowledge and working experience of preschool language delays and disorders and intervention strategies
- Strong skills in the provision of group work and consultation
- Sound clinical judgment, problem solving and decision-making skills in combination with sound analytical abilities
- Experience working with families and external professionals of other disciplines (i.e. education, psychology, social work, etc.)
- Knowledge of child development and skills in operationalizing treatment interventions including behavior management techniques
- Excellent interpersonal and strong oral and written communication skills
- Ability to respond to direction and openness in reviewing work
- Ability to work cooperatively and as part of a team, yet able to work independently in the community
- Basic computer skills

**Minimum Qualifications**:

- Speech Language Pathologist Assistant/Rehabilitation Diploma or related education
- First aid Certificate

**Job