Speech Therapist, EI

The Arc's Early Intervention Program, funded by the NJ Department of Health, is open to any child from birth to age 3, who has a developmental delay or disability, or who is at risk for developing a delay or disability. Following a comprehensive evaluation of a child's needs, the Early Intervention Team develops a coordinated approach to the provision of developmental intervention services, which includes physical, occupational and / or speech therapy, behavior intervention, and social work services. All services are provided within the child's natural environment. Speech Therapist duties with the agency involve meeting and discussing treatment plans with patients and initiating therapeutic methods for improving patients' ability to perform basic functions that are necessary for an everyday routine. Speech therapists may also work with occupation and or physical therapists to approach patient care with a combined therapy plan to improve patient results.

This position provides services to children ages 0-3 with developmental needs and their families in-home and / or community settings throughout Union County. This role requires a compassionate professional who is dedicated to making a significant impact on a child's ability to learn new skills and help overcome challenges to increase success in school and life. This role requires a patient skilled professional who encourages and inspires our clients to work toward greater independence while meeting their developmental milestones. Early Intervention is a family-training model. Work collaboratively with the Early Intervention Program Therapeutic team; Complete evaluations and all necessary documentation; Recommend specialized equipment to support communication; Provide speech therapy as outlined in IFSP.

The Early Intervention team at the Arc of Union County comprises of early childhood specialists who collaborate with parents and other family members to maximize the growth and development of children by supporting the advancement of motor, communication, and social skills.

This position provides a unique approach to best support our clients and families' individual needs. As a Speech Therapist, this staff along with our collective Early Intervention team takes a person-centered approach and focuses on the child's strengths and individual differences, while developing an intervention plan that addresses his or her unique profile. The incumbent will be responsible for providing home and community based early intervention services to infants and toddlers who have or are at risk for developmental delays and their families. The incumbent will

partner with parents / caregivers to ensure service delivery is individualized, meaningful for the family, and grounded in evidence-based practice. The Speech / Language Pathologist performs speech language therapy in accordance with the standards, methods and practices approved the New Jersey State Division of Consumer Affairs, the policies and procedures of NJ Department of Health Early Intervention System, and other current standards of early intervention practice. This role provides relationship-based sessions coaching for families to enhance the relationship between the family and child to enable them to progress towards reaching outcomes.

This position is to both educate and coach families on effective strategies to help their child reach developmental milestones and improve daily routines. Assist the family in understanding the special needs and development of their child. Perform Family Training with the family, caregiver and child in their home or daycare setting. Provide professional and responsible Service Coordination to meet the needs of the child and the family. This job assignment requires the practitioner to make home visits to train parents and caregivers in helping to improve developmental skills; use specific interventions based on the child's (birth to three) individual needs; acts as a role model for parents in the natural home environment; function as a liaison between professional licensed staff and parents. Make verbal and written recommendations to parents and caregivers for the purpose of assisting infants / toddlers towards successful implementation and management of in-home and community-based training.

Qualifications :

Master's degree in Speech Therapy from an accredited University. Speech-Language Pathology License, State of New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety, Division of Consumer Affairs, Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Advisory Committee pursuant to N.J.S.A. and

N.J.A.C. One year documented professional experience with individuals from birth to three years of age who have developmental delays and disabilities. Valid New Jersey Driver's License with the ability to become and remain covered under the agency's insurance policy.

Skills and Competencies :

The incumbent must be able to problem solve and be flexible to respond to environmental changes to best support our individuals. Must be able to handle multiple tasks in an efficient and effective manner within a fast-paced environment. Excellent computer skills, superior interpersonal skills, and oral and written communication skills a must. Interpersonal skills, Communication skills, Emotional intelligence, empathy and compassion, Analytical and problem-solving skills, technical skills and agility to use agency and or state computer systems and databases and Organizational skills.

Scope and Limits of Authority :

This position is responsible for acting in compliance with a child's IFSP and in accordance with NJEIS requirements. This position does not have staff reporting responsibilities and functions under direct supervision and instruction from the Sr. Director, Children's Services.

Receives structured project direction and assignments from the Sr. Director, Children's Services. Incumbents work within a framework of established goals and objectives. Incumbents in this classification are authorized to coordinate and supervise activities and services in coordination with the child's IFSP outcome goals.

Work Hours :

Speech Language Pathologist is a per diem position and work hours will vary.

Position Responsibilities

Operations

• Experience with recommending assistive equipment to children / families.
• Knowledge of Speech Therapy and an understanding of when these techniques can benefit children and their families.
• Maintain NJ State Licenses.
• Develop Plan of Treatment for each child / family based on initial and ongoing evaluations including short- and long-term goals, collaboration demands of other team members, and required child and caregiver involvement.
• Implement Plan of Treatment on a consistent schedule and adjust this schedule and plan according to child's progress.
• Document child's progress according to the IFSP document and NJEIS requirements.
• Evaluate speech and language and current level of child's function, while setting goals to improve in these areas that are scaled to child's abilities and realistically attainable.
• Report child progress to parent or caregiver involved in ongoing care of child.
• Coordinate updates with service coordinators with an IFSP plan for children every 6 months or sooner as designated within the individual plan with appropriate in-home care services.
• Maintain professional and technical knowledge through attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications, etc.
• Knowledge of Speech Therapy and an understanding of when these techniques can benefit children.
• A strong sense of empathy, a compassionate outlook on ST and the ability to motivate children into pushing their limits in a responsible, safe way.
• Demonstrate effective teaching skills with children / family members / caregivers and maintain safety and care of the child during treatment sessions.

Responsible for maintaining required training as deemed necessary by the Agency.

Administrative Duties

Submit daily sessions into the EIMS system in real time for claim processing requirements as mandated by the agency and state regulations.

Quality Control

Individual and or management quality review daily, weekly, monthly service documentation to ensure all appointments have thorough and accurate supporting documentation.

Sign all documentation under the supervision of the Sr. Director of Children's Services monthly.

Submit semi-annual program progress report to management as required.

Client Relations

Schedule, coordinate and / or conduct individual or group meetings with parents related to specific topics or areas of interest.

Leadership

Alignment with the demand of the organizations reporting requirement : ability to use resourceful means to create an advantageous position to channel the energy and activities of others in support of the entire demand ofthe organization's goals.

Follows and models agency policy, procedures and compliance and supports day-to-day operations and services to include their individual service and performance.

Develops and maintains communications with relevant stakeholders and developing and maintaining an understanding of their needs, objectives, and constraints so that long-term, mutually beneficial solutions and conflict resolution practices can be created for all parties.

Models' responsible leadership of the principals of good business practices.

Works professionally and collaboratively with Operations, families and community supports.

Provides essential oversight of the professionalism and quality of his / her unique individual services performed for Early Intervention.

Knowledgeable of agency policy and can manage his / her individual requests for vacation, sick leave, and other excused periods away from work so that it does not impact agency operations.

Complies with agency rules and policies regarding employee conduct.

Maintains an environment of open professional communications with colleagues and serves as a liaison with other departments in the resolution of day-to-day administrative, billing, and operational issues, and resolves differences constructively and tactfully while treating others with respect.

Focuses on customer needs and customer satisfaction, projects a positive customer service environment to both internal and external customers and promotes and encourages an attitude of exemplary customer service and high integrity to all the staff within the Early Intervention services.

Has excellent command of communication, emotional intelligence, and critical thinking skills. Has demonstrated ability to make logical informed decisions.

Reporting / Analysis

Ability to understand correlation of data and outcomes.

Ability to report on status of specific duties and activities of the Early Intervention Services as required or requested.

Ability to professionally diagnose situations, summarize thoughts and to document solution based ideas and recommendations

Required Training

Adult and Infant / Child CPR State mandated training

Continued education through courses that support learning in social services. COVID-19

Crisis Management HIPAA

Agency Orientation / Diversity / Harassment

Other agency sponsored training as required to include maintaining agility with MSOffice software.

Required Licenses and or Certifications :

Current Speech Therapy license for state of operation. Current CPR

(ADA) Mental / Physical Effort and Working Conditions :

The Arc of Union County will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with a disability so that they can perform the essential functions of a job unless doing so causes a direct threat to these individuals or others in the workplace and the threat cannot be eliminated by reasonable accommodation or if the accommodation creates an undue hardship for The Arc of Union County.

(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 the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to :

(EEO statement)

The Arc of Union County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against based on disability.

(Work Environment)

The agency offers safety training such as Universal Precautions / Infectious diseases, COVID-19 Education and Safety Practices among others to promote a safe environment for all employees and service recipients including visitors. Personal Protective Equipment and necessary supplies such as disinfectants are supplied to all employees free or charge. Each employee is responsible for completing the offered training and implementing the health and safety protocols and mitigation practices consistently.

Each employee must fully comply with all requests to participate in investigations and inspections.

This position is classified as core to the agency operations and will require the incumbent to provide the agency with a minimum of (4) weeks' notice prior to vacating this role.

Employees who may encounter individuals served shall be subject to and comply with the requirements for random drug testing for controlled dangerous substances. Criminal history record background checks will be conducted at least once every two years for agency's employees. Any employee who is required to undergo a criminal history record background check and refuses to consent to, or cooperate in, the securing of a criminal history record background check shall be immediately removed from the person's position and the person's employment shall be terminated.