Pediatric Speech Language Pathologist

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) is responsible for providing high-quality, family-centered speech, language, communication, and feeding services to children ages birth to three in home and community settings. Services should be responsive to the cultural, physical, psychological, and social developmental needs of each child and must comply with Birth-to-Three, Medicaid, medical, and DPI guidelines.

The SLP will work collaboratively with families, caregivers, service coordinators, and interdisciplinary team members to support each child's communication and developmental needs within natural environments and daily routines. This is a full-time position with the potential to provide outpatient pediatric speech-language therapy as program needs evolve.

SFCC's philosophy: "All children can learn if we can learn how to teach them."

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Participate in the development, review, and evaluation of the Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP), ensuring goals are functional, measurable, family-centered, and aligned with PCATT principles.
• Review physician orders, referrals, and insurance authorizations as required prior to initiating evaluations and services.
• Select and administer appropriate standardized and criterion-referenced assessment tools to evaluate speech, language, communication, social communication, feeding, and related developmental needs.
• Complete initial and ongoing evaluations within established Birth-to-Three, Medicaid, insurance, and program timelines.
• Develop individualized treatment plans based on evaluation results, functional needs, family priorities, and developmental goals.
• Clearly interpret and communicate evaluation results, recommendations, and progress to families, physicians, service coordinators, and interdisciplinary team members with cultural humility and respect.
• Provide individualized speech-language therapy using developmentally appropriate, evidence-based, and play-based interventions within natural environments.
• Address receptive and expressive language, articulation and phonological development, social communication, early communication skills, and alternative/augmentative communication needs as appropriate.
• Evaluate and provide recommendations regarding augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems and other communication supports as appropriate.
• Assess and provide intervention and caregiver education related to feeding, swallowing, and oral-motor needs within the SLP's scope of practice and training.
• Serve as a primary provider when appropriate, incorporating interdisciplinary goals and strategies into treatment sessions.
• Provide caregiver education, coaching, and training to support communication, language, feeding, and developmental skills within the child's everyday routines.
• Consult and collaborate with physicians, childcare providers, educators, and other community professionals to support each child's overall development.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings, consultations, and collaborative problem-solving to support family and child outcomes.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant documentation, billing, case notes, evaluations, progress reports, and other required records.
• Monitor and document progress toward IFSP and treatment goals and make recommendations for changes to services as appropriate.
• Facilitate transitional and discharge planning and participate in related meetings.
• Model positive behavioral and communication strategies that promote engagement, participation, problem-solving, and independence.
• Provide personal care to children as necessary.
• Actively participate in required meetings, trainings, supervision, and professional development activities.
• Ensure documentation and service delivery meet audit and compliance requirements .
• Represent St. Francis Children's Center and Milwaukee County positively and professionally.
• Participate in the development and provision of outpatient pediatric speech-language therapy services as program needs expand.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to walk, sit, stand, bend, twist, reach, kneel, crouch, and climb stairs.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
• Adequate near and far vision, hearing, and speech to perform essential functions.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment and technology.

MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
• Flexibility to adapt to changing routines.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and decision-making under time-sensitive and high-stress conditions

Compliance, Credentialing & Safety Requirements Specific to Role

• Background check requirements (caregiver and DCF background check is standard for anyone working with children in home settings)
• Mandatory reporter training/status for child abuse and neglect
• CPR/First Aid certification
• Immunization/TB testing or health screening requirements

ENVIRONMENTAL / WORKING CONDITIONS

• Indoor work approximately 67% of the time.
• Driving required approximately 33% of the time.
• Services may be provided in children's homes, childcare settings, community environments, and other natural environments.

EQUIPMENT USED

• Computer, copy machine, fax machine, telephone, and other communication or therapy-related equipment as needed.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills with ability to prioritize multiple demands.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Proficiency with Office 365 and ability to learn new software systems.
• Commitment to confidentiality, ethics, and family-centered care.
• Dedication to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in practice.

REQUIRED EDUCATION / LICENSE / CERTIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from an accredited program.
• Current State of Wisconsin Speech-Language Pathology license.
• ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) preferred; candidates completing their Clinical Fellowship may be considered.
• Must have a valid Wisconsin driver's license and may not have more than three current minor driving violations and/or one current at-fault accident on your driving record within the last three (3) years.

• Maintain current automobile insurance with minimum coverage limits of $100,000/$300,000 bodily injury liability and $100,000 property damage liability. The employee must be named as an insured driver on the policy.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Experience with Birth-to-Three programming strongly preferred.
  • Pediatric and/or early intervention experience a plus.
• Must have a reliable vehicle for home visits.
• Must be able to conduct home visits in the Milwaukee County area.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Strong organizational skills with ability to prioritize multiple demands.
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
  • Proficiency with Office 365 and ability to learn new software systems.
  • Commitment to confidentiality, ethics, and family-centered care.
  • Dedication to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in practice.

BEHAVIOR and ATTITUIDE

The mission and philosophy of St. Francis Children's Center require the Speech-Language Pathologist - Birth-to-Three to perform all duties in a professional, respectful, and collaborative manner. The Speech-Language Pathologist - Birth-to-Three is expected to demonstrate integrity, accountability, leadership, and a commitment to providing exceptional care and education for children while fostering positive relationships with families and colleagues. This position serves as a role model by promoting teamwork, maintaining open and respectful communication, embracing continuous learning and creating a positive culture. Respect for confidentiality, professionalism, and adherence to accreditation standards, and St. Francis Children's Center policies are essential to successful job performance.

AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT

Employment with St. Francis Children's Center is at-will, meaning that either the employee or the organization may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, and with or without advance notice, consistent with applicable law. This job description does not constitute an employment contract, and nothing in this document should be construed as creating an express or implied contract of employment for a specific term or as altering the at-will nature of employment. No supervisor, manager, or representative of St. Francis Children's Center has the authority to enter into an agreement for employment for any specified period of time, or to make any promises or commitments contrary to the foregoing, unless such agreement is in writing and signed by an authorized officer of the organization.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

St. Francis Children's Center is in compliance with the equal opportunity policy and standards of the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services and all applicable local, state and federal statutes and regulations relating to nondiscrimination in employment and service delivery.

It is our aim to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, we will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. No otherwise qualified person shall be excluded from employment, be denied the benefits of employment or otherwise be subject to discrimination in employment in any manner on the basis of age, race, religion, color, sex, national origin or ancestry, disability or association with a person with a disability, arrest or conviction record, sexual orientation, marital status or pregnancy, political belief, or affiliation, military participation, or use or non-use of lawful products off the employers premises during working hours. All supervisors and managers are expected to support goals and programmatic activities relating to nondiscrimination in employment.