Speech Language Pathologist I, Winston Salem

Job Summary:

The primary purpose of the Speech-Language Pathologist position is to provide comprehensive functional and diagnostic speech-language evaluations/ assessments, consultations and treatments, as needed to children birth to 36 months of age who are identified as having or being at risk for developmental disorders or delays of speech, receptive and/or expressive language, oral motor/feeding and/or motor speech. This SLP position serves children and their families who are enrolled in early intervention services at the Winston-Salem Children’s Developmental Services Agency (W-S CDSA) within a six county catchment area which includes Forsyth, Davidson, Davie, Stokes, Surry, and Yadkin counties. This SLP provides parent and caregiver education for the purpose of identifying, preventing, improving, or modifying speech, receptive and/or expressive language, oral motor/feeding and/or motor speech. Such services are to be provided in the context of a multidisciplinary team or individually in direct service to children, parents, caregivers, or other professionals. Basic elements of the service are evaluations, assessments, diagnosis, treatment, and service planning for children with known developmental delays or disabilities, technical assistance to CDSA professionals or child service organizations, and public education. This position is within the W-S CDSA, a State-supported program within the Department of Pediatrics, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Wake Forest Baptist Health (WFBH).

The Winston-Salem Children’s Developmental Services Agency (W-S CDSA) is the local lead agency for the NC infant Toddler Program (NC ITP), a federally mandated program (Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act IDEA) serving children with or at risk for developmental disabilities and their families. The CDSA is organizationally located in the Early Intervention Branch, Women’s and Children’s Health Section, Division of Public Health. Lead agency responsibilities include the oversight of the administration of the Infant Toddler Program, ensuring that services are available within a multi-county catchment area and that children eligible for the program receive required services either through the CDSA or a network of enrolled early intervention service providers. The CDSA is the single portal of entry for birth to 3 referrals to early intervention and has primary responsibility for providing service coordination for Infant Toddler eligible children, multi and interdisciplinary evaluation, therapeutic intervention including family/caregiver coaching and consultation, and technical assistance to service providers and other professionals working with young children and families. Information on the NC ITP is available at https://beearly.nc.gov/ .

Education / Experience:

• Have a broad knowledge of the Part C, IDEA requirements and North Carolina Infant Toddler Program policy and procedures, skills involving assessment of birth to three children in the natural environment, and community agencies and resources.
• CFY candidates with a Master’s degree and temporary license from the NC Board of Examiners may be considered.
• Strong written and oral experience writing evaluation reports, treatment, and/or educational family service plans, authorization requests and documentation of services in compliance with required billing codes.
• Have general knowledge of the IDEA, Part C requirements and North Carolina Infant-Toddler Program (NC ITP) policy and procedures. Fluency in Spanish is helpful.
• Experience evaluating, assessing, diagnosing, and developing service plans to treat developmental disorders or delays of speech, receptive and/or expressive language, oral motor/feeding and/or motor speech skills for children with known or at risk for developmental disabilities.
• Permanent N.C. license by the NC Board of Examiners for Speech and Language Pathologists and Audiologists and ASHA certificate of clinical competence must be earned within 12 months of employment start date.
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s degree in speech-language pathology or communication sciences and disorders and nine months of supervised experience as required by the NC licensing statute (G.S. 90-292).
• Training and/or experience in working with children birth to 36 months and their families is preferred.
• Minimum training and experience for trainee appointment requires a Master’s degree in speech and language pathology or communication sciences disorders from an accredited college or university and eligibility for licensure by the NC Board of Examiners for Speech and Language Pathologists and Audiologists or to be eligible for granting of a temporary license by the NC Board of Examiners for Speech and Language Pathologists and Audiologists as required by the NC licensing statute (G.S. 90-292). Permanent or temporary NC license as an SLP must be obtained before the first day of employment. Upon receipt of permanent NC license and ASHA certificate of clinical competence (9 to 12 months) employee may move into full class.
• Experience in early child development with the 0-36 month population is preferred.
• Experience working with community network systems and resources.
• One year of full-time experience as a speech-language pathologist serving a pediatric population is required.
• An understanding of child development and developmental disabilities and familiarity with common childhood diagnoses is necessary.

Licensure, Certification and / or Registration:

• NC SLP licensure as well as the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence must be maintained and remain a member in good standing throughout employment in this position.
• A current and valid NC license to practice as an SLP granted by the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Speech and Language Pathologists and Audiologists and certificate of clinical competence issued by the American Speech and Hearing Association.

Essential Functions:

Skills and Qualifications:

• Strong written and oral communication skills are necessary for working relationships with families and other professionals. Communication and interpersonal skills which are effective, respectful, and sensitive with respect to a diverse and multicultural population of children, families, and co-workers. Skills in problem-solving, mediation, conflict resolution and team work are essential for collaboration as a CDSA team member, as well as for work with families and network community agencies. Experience writing evaluation reports, treatment/or educational family service plans in a timely and compliant matter. Experience working with community support systems and resources. Skills in problem-solving, mediation, conflict resolution and team work are essential for collaboration as a CDSA team member, as well as for work with families and community agencies.
• Considerable knowledge of and skills in the application of professional speech and language pathology theories, techniques, principles, and procedures, various communication disorders specific to the group of clients served; ability to administer and interpret appropriate diagnostic tests to determine functionality, means, and /or degree of communication skills. Ability to formulate, interpret, and implement therapeutic speech-language treatment programs for children with special needs. Ability to express oneself in oral and written form, and to maintain timely, compliant, and detailed client records and charts; to gain the confidence of clients, clients’ families, peers, and paraprofessionals and to work effectively with them for optimum results in the children served. Ability to communicate and consult with families and professionals to ensure positive outcomes for children with special needs and their families. General knowledge of best practices in Early Intervention, the agency, institution goals and treatment programs; of available supportive community agencies and referral sources. Thorough knowledge of the concepts, practices, and techniques in the field of Early Intervention, including infant-toddler assessments and development of IFSPs. Requires considerable knowledge of child development, family dynamics, developmental disabilities, and factors which place infants/ toddlers at risk for developmental delays. Skill in working with young children and their families in collaborating with parents, co-workers and other professionals.

• Computer literacy and experience with Microsoft Word and Microsoft Office is a requirement for all W-S CDSA positions. Fluency in Spanish is desirable.
• Must hold and maintain a valid NC driver’s license and car. Individual must be able to independently drive from Winston-Salem or Lexington office to homes of clients and/or community settings in Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Stokes, Surry, and Yadkin as needed based on referrals, enrollment location, and population demands (Mileage reimbursed at state rate.) Must be able to drive independently on a daily basis to asses or treat children with special needs in their homes or other agreed upon community settings within a family’s local area as needed.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Evaluations may occur in a clinical environment, homes, day cares, or other community locations.
• Treatment should occur in natural environments which may be the child’s home, daycare, caregiver’s environment, or an IFSP team-agreed upon community environment where typically developing children access community activities.
• Clinical and office settings as well as home, daycare, preschool, and/or community settings of each child evaluated or treated by the speech therapist.