Speech Pathologist - Watertown, NY

Sign on Bonus - $10,000 - Full time Licensed Speech Pathologist payable in equal installments over 5 years. First payment after one year of service then annually thereafter.

Wage Range: $32.15-$38.90+/ Hour, more based on education and experience.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work - Monday-Friday, minimum 40 hours per week; flexible to the needs of the program

Qualifications - Licensed by New York State Education Department as a Speech Pathologist Provisional certification as NYS Teacher of the Speech and Hearing Handicapped or NYS Teacher of Students with Speech and Language Disabilities (TSSLD). Specialized training or one year experience in treatment of people with developmental disabilities preferred. Certificate of Clinical Competency by American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA). Work may require lifting, pushing, or pulling, in excess of 30 pounds.

Maintenance of Certifications - All therapists are responsible for maintaining their own certifications: NYS and ASHA. This includes all fees to NYS and ASHA. All therapists are responsible for filing for permanent certification for teaching after all requirements are met. Article 159, Section 8209 of Education Law requires that speech-language pathologists complete 30 continuing competency hours in each three-year registration period to maintain their registration. Each licensed speech-language pathologist and audiologist in practice is required to complete 30 hours of continuing competency learning activities during every three-year registration cycle. Of these 30 hours, at least 20 must be completed in a professional area, and the remainder may be in a related area. Professional is defined for speech language pathologists as: the study of normal processes, and the assessment and treatment of speech, voice, language, hearing and swallowing disorders. The ASHA certification Maintenance Standards require that all CCC-SLP certificate holders must accumulate 30 Certificate Maintenance Hours (CMHs) of professional development during each 3-year certification maintenance interval in order to maintain their ASHA Certificates of Clinical Competence (CCC). Requirements for maintaining your CCCs: Submit your Compliance Form to verify your 30 professional development hours, abide by the ASHA Code of Ethics, maintain affiliation by paying annual dues or the annual certification fee.

Work Authorizations/Security Clearance - Authorized to work in the United States.

Summary/Objective - Ensure appropriate justification and delivery of all clinical services provided to children and adults supported at The Arc Jefferson St. Lawrence. Adhere to professional, ethical and legal standards of practice as well as all agency specific policies and procedures. May be required to complete evaluations and treatments for adults (Article 16 Clinic) and children.

Essential Functions - Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

1. Responsible for the overall operation of his/her program area; i.e. speech/language sessions.
2. Participate as a member of the Interdisciplinary Treatment Team in the development and on-going evaluation of the IEP for each child in accordance with regulatory requirements.
3. Evaluate service recipients in the respect to communication abilities.
4. Develop, implement and maintain service plans.
5. Provide direct speech services to children in the Early Intervention Program, Preschool students and adults in program.
6. Conduct, participate in, and attend in-services as requested and/or approved by supervisor and/or program directors.
7. Attend and participate in meetings as requested by the Supervisor and/or program directors to act as a professional resource and advocate for the individuals served.
8. Provide speech evaluations and subsequent services to all appropriately designated individuals in the Early Intervention and Preschool programs. Provide speech and swallowing evaluations and subsequent services to all appropriately designated individuals in the Adult Programs.
9. Consult with other professional and direct support professionals regarding specific or general programs and assist them in establishing programs.
10. Consult with family and other agencies as indicated to ensure continuity of programs as needed.
11. Make recommendations as to ordering/purchasing of materials and equipment.
12. Complete incident reports as indicated.
13. Complete documentation in compliance with Medicaid standards for reimbursement and standards for recertification by regulatory agencies.
14. Complete an initial and annual discipline specific assessment in the area of speech and language for each assigned student.
15. Participate in Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) meetings, Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) and Individual Service Plan (ISP) meetings as requested.
16. Ensure the proper storage and use of assistive technology and supplies.
17. Maintain accurate documentation of services consistent with Medicaid billing procedures or other contractual commitments.
18. Collect data for each session to be used in monthly progress notes for each individual to quantify progress and to provide justification for continued services.
19. Adhere to policy and procedure on school and adult physical plant standards.
20. Complete documentation of minor injuries and incident reports, as necessary.
21. Remain cognizant of the individual’s current medical status. Consult with medical staff regarding any change in an individual’s health and/or behavior.
22. Request of the Clinical Coordinator for the purchase of necessary program supplies.
23. Attend all staff meetings as requested.
24. Will immediately report any suspected incidents of child or adult abuse or maltreatment directly to the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment and the NYS Justice Center through OPWDD.
25. Attend and satisfactorily complete all required in-services.

Competencies -

• Exhibit ethical and professional conduct at all times
• Excellent time management, organizational, communication and training skills
• Protect and maintain confidentiality at all times
• Detail oriented
• Proficient with the use of multiple computer programs
• Personal Effectiveness/Credibility

Supervisory Responsibility - May be required to provide supervision for the completion of a person’s Clinical Fellowship (CFY).

Travel - Travel is expected for this position. This could include county to county travel, home visits, school and/or county meetings, conferences and trainings.

Work Environment - This job operates in a professional office environment. This job also operates in a clinical and classroom setting. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Physical Demands - The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; lift; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. Work may require lifting, pushing, or pulling in excess of 30 pounds.

Other Duties - This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. I have read and received a copy of the above job description and understand the responsibilities fully. I understand that the preceding job description will be reviewed/updated at least annually; more frequent updates will depend on contract needs.

AAP/EEO Statement– The Arc Jefferson – St. Lawrence has and will continue to provide all employees and applicants’ equal opportunity in the manner provided by law in all aspects of employment regardless of their age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, genetic predisposition, or carrier status, or marital status. These individuals will be recruited, referred for hiring consideration, and employed with regard to the positive and appropriate utilization of their skills and capabilities. Qualified employees will be afforded non-discriminatory consideration for promotion and job advancement, and there will be no discrimination with regard to assignments, rates of pay, promotions, transfers, training, termination, accessibility, working conditions, and benefits.