Speech Language Pathologist Assistant

About Crystal Springs:

Crystal Springs is a non-profit organization with over 30 years of experience connecting professionals like yourself with opportunities to make a difference in the lives of children with disabilities. Join our team of dependable, compassionate, and empathetic Nurses. We are actively seeking LPNs, and we want exceptional nurses like you on our team! Find your purpose and more at Crystal Springs.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Speech Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) is responsible for providing direct treatment programs as established and directed by the Speech Language Pathologist and consistent with the regulations governed by the MA Board of Registration in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology and ASHA. The SLPA will serve as an active team member for the implementation of a comprehensive, interdisciplinary therapeutic program to address the specific needs of the student. The long term goal of all therapy provided will revolve around maximizing independence and safety of the student. The SLPA will be responsible for keeping accurate and current records, including Medicaid grids/progress notes, as well as attending all required meetings.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor Degree and MA licensure to practice as an SLPA

COMPETENCIES / SKILLS:

• Demonstrate knowledge and commitment to the agency’s mission, vision, values and goals through leadership and functioning as a healthy and therapeutic role model
• Demonstrate fairness, forethought and good judgment in decision making
• Establish and maintain professional working relationships by remaining non-judgmental, staying objective, and upholding appropriate boundaries
• Develop and maintain positive and collaborative communications/relations with co-workers, supervisors, students, families, state agency personnel, and other collaborative resources
• Readily accept feedback from supervisors and colleagues, and foster a safe environment for dialogue and disagreement
• Demonstrate effective conflict management and dispute resolution skills
• Identify and solve problems by prioritizing needs, setting reasonable goals, establishing a plan, and following through to completion
• Demonstrate ability to plan, set, and implement schedules in order to complete all necessary daily tasks. 
• Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills when interacting with students, their families, supervisors, and other professionals
• Model good teaching practices, and reinforce skill development when supporting students both within the program and out in the community
• Demonstrate sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, racial, and socio-economic issues
• Implement verbal & physical crisis intervention techniques (CPI) when necessary
• Complete all required documentation in a thorough and timely manner
• Comply with student confidentiality regulations and protocols (HIPPA)
• Implement mandated procedures for reporting suspected child abuse & neglect in a timely manner.
• Adhere to general environmental & safety policies/procedures, with a focus on PICA safety
• Comply with Human Resources and Senior Management policies, protocols, and functions
• Maintain personal appearance and language appropriate for work setting
• Adhere to all licensing regulations (EEC, DESE)
• Actively demonstrate use of supervisor’s feedback
• Demonstrate knowledge of budgetary management
• Demonstrate knowledge of computer skills
• Demonstrate basic proficiency with expressive use of sign language
• Demonstrate basic proficiency with the use of assistive technology
• Demonstrate basic proficiency with the programming of AAC devices

Work Schedule:

Full-Time, Monday - Friday

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Implement treatment protocols as prescribed by SLP, seeking clarification from SLP when necessary
• Establish and sustain a predictable schedule of speech therapy service provision, in order to consistently provide direct and consultative speech therapy services to students, as required by the IEP
• Model use of strategies to improve students’ language comprehension, including use of sign language and picture-based visual supports
• Collect accurate data during speech therapy sessions, and report results to supervising SLP
• Consult the SLP when a student is not making adequate progress, or when they have met a therapy objective
• Appropriately pace treatment sessions to ensure maximum student response
• Use appropriate cues and prompts with the student, to elicit target behaviors as defined by treatment protocol
• Provide appropriate behavioral reinforcement consistent with student’s developmental age, personal preferences, & communication disorder
• Select and use treatment materials that are appropriate to student’s developmental age & communication disorder
• Train direct care staff members to carry-over speech therapy recommendations with the students
• Provide orientation training in the areas of communication, feeding & swallowing, and assistive technology
• Consult with teachers regarding integration of speech therapy techniques into classroom routines
• Restate information & concerns from the student, guardian, or staff to supervising SLP as appropriate
• Direct student, guardian or staff to supervising SLP for clinical information
• Recognize own limitations within the ASHA-approved SLPA job responsibilities
• Maintain accurate records representing work with clients, including monthly flow sheets
• Recognize the signs & symptoms of dysphagia, and report swallowing safety concerns to the supervising SLP
• Facilitate the acquisition, maintenance, care, and daily use of hearing aids and/or earplugs
• Fulfill EEC/DESE requirement for in-service training, including related total hours (24 hours per year)
• Cooperate and participate in internal investigations
• All other duties as assigned

LANGUAGE / COMMUNICATION SKILLS:

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in spoken and written English; and to read and comprehend work related documents which are almost exclusively written in English

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

• Duties are performed indoors and outdoors accompanying residents to various activities, events and appointment

PHYSICAL AND OTHER DEMANDS:

• Ability to hear alarms, phones, and communications from children, adults and employees in short and long range
• Ability to lift at least 100 pounds with another employee or lifting equipment more than twice during each shift
• Ability to bend, kneel, squat and stand for long periods of time throughout the shift (more than 15 minutes at a time, 8 or more times during the shift)
• Ability to reach above the shoulders at least four times during a shift, often lifting an item of weight
• Ability to grasp, retrieve, pinch and hold small items frequently throughout the shift, at least once every ten minutes
• Ability to walk and run with or alongside the children when assisting them to and from the education/day programs, within the classrooms, during field trips, and within the residences constantly for periods of time exceeding a half an hour
• Ability to perform procedures surrounding CPR, First Aid, physical restraints and crisis intervention for the safety of the residents and staff
• Ability to manage and handle stressful and emotionally charged interactions and situations.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Must hold a valid driver’s license for more than one year and be ready, willing and able to drive the Company’s wheelchair and/or mini-vans safely according to Massachusetts driving laws
• Each staff member must participate in a minimum of two hours per month in-service training to maintain compliance with state regulations (EEC and DESE) and to further develop the skills necessary for continued employment and advancement.