Communicative Disorders Assistant

**ABOUT US**

**ABOUT THE ROLE**

The **Communicative Disorders Assistant **is a contract position that will provide a range of high-quality intervention services to children eligible for service through with the purpose helping children achieve their optimal communication potential. Provide support and coaching to caregivers to become effective partners in promoting their child’s communication skills.

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Salary range:_** _$54,926.26 to $63,962.43 per annum_

**_ Benefits: _**_Competitive Group Health Benefits, Retirement Savings Plan._
- This is a contract position up to 4 months with the possibility of extension._

This position is represented by OPSEU local 567.

**WHY JOIN OUR TEAM?**
- We have a collaborative and supportive Senior Management Team.
- We provide a hybrid work model and competitive Group Health Benefits and Pension Plan.
- We provide opportunities for growth and professional development.
- We have a diverse and inclusive work environment with staff who speak multiple languages and dialects.
- We are committed to providing an equitable and inclusive environment where our team members and clients can thrive.
- We set high standards for performance, client outcomes, and implement best practices, which are demonstrated through our accreditation with the Canadian Centre for Accreditation.

**WHAT YOU WILL DO**
- Provide a range of high-quality intervention services to children and their caregivers from birth to school entry to support and promote the development of the children’s communication skills, that align with agency and PSL policies and procedures.
- Deliver Preschool Speech and Language Program within the local community to ensure easily accessible high-quality services to our clients, to increase our presence and promote our services to potential clients in the communities we serve[A1], and to build community capacity for promoting speech and language development and early identification of delays in young children’s communication skills
- Complete all job-related administrative duties in[A2] a timely manner to allow for efficient workflow and effective evaluation of the work carried out within the PSL team.
- Liaise with PSL staff from other geographic services areas to participate in the development and promotion of PSL initiatives. To liaise with other Strides staff to integrate the PSL program within Strides and agency-wide initiatives.
- Actively participate in implementing the agency’s policy on health and safety as part of an effective health and safety program to ensure a safe and productive workplace where staff are trained and protected from hazardous conditions.

**THE “MUST HAVES”**

The following education, professional memberships and knowledge are a requirement for this role:

- A Bachelor’s degree or a Community College Diploma as required as a prerequisite plus a Communicative Disorders Assistant graduate certificate
- At least 3-6 months experience in the area of preschool communication delays and disorders, including receptive and expressive language delay, speech production difficulties, motor speech disorders and social communication impairments.
- Must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills with an ability to demonstrate flexibility and cope with competing demands.
- Strong oral and written communication skills are required.
- Ability to work cooperatively with team members and consultants of all disciplines is essential.
- Additional skills include the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Must have good time management skills and demonstrate initiative as well as the ability to meet deadlines.
- Must have demonstrated commitment to continuous quality improvement and adaptation to change.
- Sound clinical judgement, discretion, problem solving, and decision-making skills in combination with sound analytical abilities are essential.
- An understanding and acceptance of parent involvement and client-centered service approaches are required.
- This position requires functional computer knowledge and ability to operate computers and related technology comfortably and efficiently, including, but not limited to word processing, data management as well as virtual services (administrative and clinical).
- Awareness of the role of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and within the community being served by the position.
- An understanding of Anti-Black Racism, anti-oppressive/anti-racism perspective in the context of the social determinants of health when working with clients and their families.
- Ability to recognize and identify situations where incidents of and imbalance of power and privilege may occur and can result in possible negative impacts for the client.

**THE ‘NICE TO HAVES’**
- Experience working with preschool children with special needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Previous experience working in a PSL
- Experience using software and/or online tools for creating communication syste