Director of Speech and Occupational Therapy

Director of Speech & Occupational Therapy

We are seeking an experienced Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) to serve as the Director of our Pediatric Speech & Occupational Therapy Department. This leadership role is responsible for overseeing clinical operations, developing and mentoring a multidisciplinary team of Speech-Language Pathologists and Occupational Therapists, ensuring the highest quality of patient care, and supporting the continued growth of our therapy programs. The ideal candidate is a collaborative leader who is passionate about pediatric therapy, values family-centered care, and has a proven ability to build strong teams while maintaining clinical excellence and operational efficiency.

What We Offer:

• Total Compensation: $105-115k
• Center-based clinical environment
• 401(k) with company match
• 13 days PTO + separate sick time
• 9 paid holidays
• Health, Dental & Vision insurance
• CEU/ PDU reimbursement + ongoing professional development
• Early learners aged 2-7 y/o

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic and clinical leadership for the Speech and Occupational Therapy departments.
• Recruit, hire, onboard, mentor, and retain exceptional pediatric therapists.
• Supervise SLPs, OTs, COTAs, CFs, and therapy support staff.
• Foster a positive, collaborative, and engaging workplace culture.
• Ensure compliance with state licensure requirements, HIPAA, payer guidelines, and accreditation standards.
• Monitor clinical quality, documentation, productivity, and patient outcomes.
• Develop and implement evidence-based clinical protocols and best practices.
• Partner with physicians, psychologists, behavioral health providers, educators, and families to deliver coordinated care.
• Manage department staffing, scheduling, productivity, and operational performance.
• Review and analyze departmental KPIs, implementing quality improvement initiatives as needed.
• Support business development, community outreach, and program expansion.
• Assist with budgeting, resource planning, and strategic growth initiatives.
• Address clinical and operational challenges while maintaining a high standard of patient care.
• Conduct speech therapy services with clients aged 2-7 y/o
• Develop individualized treatment plans based on clients' goals and needs
• Help clients improve speech, language, communication, and swallowing disorders
• Maintain timely and accurate client records and reports
• Collaborate with other professionals to coordinate client care
• Educate families on strategies for managing conditions

Qualifications: Required

• Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology.
• Current state Speech-Language Pathology license.
• Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP).
• Minimum of 5 years of pediatric clinical experience.
• Minimum of 2 years of leadership, supervisory, or management experience.
• Strong understanding of pediatric developmental disorders and evidence-based interventions.
• Knowledge of insurance authorization, documentation standards, and regulatory compliance.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills.

Preferred

• Experience leading multidisciplinary pediatric rehabilitation teams.
• Experience overseeing both Speech and Occupational Therapy services.
• Experience with outpatient pediatric therapy operations.
• Budget management and program development experience.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus.

Leadership Competencies: The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong servant leadership
• Clinical excellence
• Coaching and mentoring abilities
• Strategic thinking
• Team development
• Emotional intelligence
• Conflict resolution
• Operational and financial accountability
• Commitment to continuous quality improvement
• Excellent relationship-building skills with families and referral partners

Success Measures: Success in this role will be measured by:

• High patient and family satisfaction
• Therapist retention and staff engagement
• Clinical quality outcomes
• Documentation accuracy and compliance
• Department productivity and operational efficiency
• Growth of Speech and Occupational Therapy services
• Strong interdisciplinary collaboration
• Successful recruitment and onboarding of new clinicians

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to sit and stand on the floor; remain at eye level with clients
• Must be able to lift up to 45 pounds at a time

Ascend is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to make all personnel decisions without discriminating based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, physical disability, mental disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, national or ethnic origin, and any other protected status.