SPEECH PATHOLOGIST

Job Summary

The Aging and Disability Services Division (ADSD) is currently recruiting for a Speech Pathologist in Las Vegas, Reno, Carson City, Elko, or Ely, Nevada. This recruitment may be used to fill current and future vacancies as they occur in the following program: Nevada Early Intervention Services. The Speech-Language Pathologist provides early intervention services to infants and toddlers (0–3) in accordance with Nevada Early Intervention Services (NEIS) and IDEA Part C requirements. Responsibilities include conducting standardized assessments of communication, speech, language, and early developmental skills; participating as a member of a multidisciplinary evaluation and Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) team; and delivering ongoing services using a family-centered coaching model within the child's natural environment. The SLP collaborates with other licensed providers to build caregiver capacity, embed intervention strategies into daily routines, and ensure services meet state and federal timelines, documentation standards, and procedural safeguards. ADSD fosters a positive, inclusive, and diverse work environment that values innovation, teamwork, and collaboration. The mission of ADSD is to empower individuals and their support systems by providing resources for disabilities and aging - connecting Nevadans to services and improving their quality of life.

Essential Qualifications

Certification of Clinical Competency from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association including completion of the Clinical Fellowship Year.

Job Duties

The job duties include:

1. Develop and implement speech pathology goals and objectives to meet the needs of the population served.
2. Participate in the development of service delivery needs assessments, evaluations, policies, and procedures.
3. Participate in accrediting and quality review programs.
4. Evaluate clients' speech, language, and swallowing skills and conduct interviews to obtain information.
5. Utilize questionnaires and child development inventories to obtain developmental histories.
6. Review findings of physicians and other professionals and administer and interpret test results.
7. Analyze data to formulate diagnosis and prepare an evaluation and treatment plan.
8. Conduct therapy sessions and provide support to caregivers to enhance clients' progress.
9. Collaborate in interdisciplinary team meetings to coordinate treatment efforts.
10. Maintain accurate records of client progress and associated data and write comprehensive reports.
11. Foster professional relationships with external agencies and stakeholders to optimize treatment outcomes.
12. Oversee direct care personnel, technical staff, and/or student interns who assist in diagnostic testing and implementation of individual and group therapy.
13. Provide training sessions on various speech and language issues and to improve outcomes.
14. Perform related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Applicable federal and State laws, regulations, Acts, and agency policies and procedures; diagnostic, medical, and mental disorder and procedural service codes.
• Normal and abnormal communication development; oral peripheral examination techniques; communication equipment and assistive devices for individuals with speech, language, communication, and swallowing impairments; speech therapy assessment and intervention techniques; identification, evaluation and diagnosis of communication disorders; treatment modalities for communication disorders.
• Operation, use, and care of equipment used in speech and language therapy; dysphagia management techniques; prosthetic devices and their application; teaching resource materials and activities that remediate speech and language problems; basic counseling skills; community resources available for treatment; funding sources for augmentative devices; related therapies such as physical and occupational therapy.

Skill in:

• Interpersonal and communication, both verbal and written.
• Use and operation of office and job-related equipment and software.

Ability to:

• Provide therapeutic services specific to the population served; counsel, coach, and support patients and/or clients, parents, and caretakers in specific techniques and activities; maintain current knowledge of developments in the field including innovative therapeutic methods, equipment, and assessment tools; provide work direction to support staff and others as assigned.
• Select and administer appropriate assessment instruments; interpret test and assessment instruments; develop a treatment plan; prepare written reports related to evaluation, treatment, progress, strengths, and needs; obtain accurate information through interviewing; structure therapy activities to develop and maintain speech, swallowing, and communication skills; develop, assign, and communicate intervention strategies for parents or caretakers through the use of specific behavioral and therapeutic approaches.
• Assess progress through subjective and objective means; instruct other staff in speech pathology concepts, techniques, and objectives; determine the need for referral to others for related services; maintain and document information in the case file.
• Make presentations to interdisciplinary team members and other health care professionals; counsel, coach, and support parents and guardians regarding patient's and/or client's developmental skill needs and level of functioning.

The State of Nevada is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building diverse, inclusive, and innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, national origin, religion or belief, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, domestic partnership, genetic information (GINA), or compensation and/or wages.

Please send direct Inquiries or correspondence to the recruiter listed on this announcement.

Benefits include:

• Health Insurance: Medical, dental, life, and disability insurance programs for employees and their dependents/family are offered through the Public Employees' Benefits Program (PEBP).
• Vacation: Accrual of three weeks of annual leave each year.
• Sick Leave: Accrual of three weeks of sick leave each year.
• Holidays: 12 paid holidays per year.
• Retirement: Participation in the Nevada Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). Employees do not contribute to Social Security but will contribute to PERS if their position is at 50% or more full-time equivalency. For more information on how PERS service may impact Social Security benefits, visit the SSA publication (Download PDF reader).
• Deferred Compensation: The State offers a voluntary Deferred Compensation Program.
• No Nevada state income tax.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: Eligible due to public sector employment.
• Longevity Payments Eligibility: Employees who have received a performance rating of "standard" or better and have completed eight (8) or more years of continuous service are eligible for longevity pay.

Additional benefits may apply to employees covered under a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), depending on their designated bargaining unit. For more information, visit the Labor Relations Unit (LRU).

For more details about your rights and responsibilities as a State of Nevada employee, please review the State of Nevada Employee Handbook (PDF) (Download PDF reader).

*** State Holidays The holiday schedule for State employees is established by the Legislature.

The following are legal holidays:

January 1.............................................. New Year's Day

Third Monday in January.................. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday

Third Monday in February................ Washington's Birthday

Last Monday in May........................... Memorial Day

June 19................................................ Juneteenth Day

July 4.................................................... Independence Day

First Monday in September.............. Labor Day

Last Friday in October....................... Nevada Day

November 11......................................... Veterans' Day

Fourth Thursday in November........ Thanksgiving Day

Friday following the Fourth Thursday in November...................... Family Day

December 25......................................... Christmas Day

When January 1, June 19, July 4, November 11, or December 25 falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday is the observed legal holiday. If these days fall on Sunday, the following Monday is the observed holiday. Eligibility for holiday pay is covered by the provisions of NAC 284.255