Early Intervention Therapist

JOB TITLE: Early Intervention Therapist REPORTS TO: MO Campus Coordinator

STATUS: Full-Time, 218 Contract Days LOCATION: MO Campus

Summary:

The Early Intervention Therapist provides individual listening and spoken language intervention to young children with hearing loss and their families. Additionally, this position provides support, counseling, and education to parents. These services are provided in the family home, on-site at St. Joseph, or other appropriate setting. Families will be supported by the EI Therapist in their development of effective interactions to promote the development of spoken language skills in their young children with hearing loss. The EI Therapist will help children develop the ability to listen and talk through appropriate interactions with parents and others while engaged in play activities and daily routines. This position will assess early communication skills; responses of parents to a child’s attempt to communicate; child’s progress, needs and behaviors.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Guides and coaches families during each session by observing development of child’s communication, response to child’s communication attempts, frequency and quality of family’s attempts to initiate communication with child, and use of hearing technology.

Educates parents about child development, types and degrees of hearing loss and their relationship to communication development.

Assists parents in developing parenting skills and appropriate behavior management strategies.

Educates parents about effective strategies for the development of Listening and Spoken Language in young children with hearing loss.

Provides information to parents on child development, audition, language and speech development, and other topics.

Completes assessments and evaluations on infants, toddlers, and children with hearing loss in early communication development. Prepares report of findings and shares same with family and supervisor.

Develops therapy plans based on specific long- and short-term goals and objectives for both child and parent. Determines activities to accomplish goals.

Manages First Steps authorizations, establishing frequency and length of sessions and most appropriate setting based on needs of child and family and schedules ongoing therapy sessions.

Travels to home, daycare, preschool, or other community setting.

Collaborates with other therapists, teachers, and other professionals to monitor a child’s progress and develop appropriate strategies for development; provides input for IFSP writing.

Prepares progress reports based on assessment and observation of child development of spoken language and parent/child interaction development.

Ensures confidentiality following guidelines set forth by HIPAA standards.

Responsible for timely preparation of attendance and monthly reports for First Steps and other third-party payers.

Attends and actively participates in staff, department meetings, and other meetings as requested by department Lead or St. Joseph Leadership.

Maintains professional standards and growth through attendance at workshops, participation in appropriate professional development opportunities, and reading professional literature.

Collaborates with leadership to ensure that current best practices are implemented.

Performs other duties related to the program as requested.

Education, Training, and/or Experience:

Master’s degree in Deaf Education, Speech Language Pathology, Audiology, or a related field required.

Must hold Listening and Spoken Language Specialist Certification (AVT/AVEd) or be eligible for LSLS mentorship.

Eligible for state teacher certification or ASHA licensure and eligible for state First Steps credentialing.

Minimum of two years of professional experience with children with hearing loss, including children with cochlear implants. Scope of experience may include experience obtained during clinical practicum.

Must demonstrate a desire for ongoing professional development and a strong passion for promoting Listening and Spoken Language initiatives.

Intermediate to advanced level of knowledge and experience using Microsoft programs, videoconferencing platforms including Teams; the ability to learn and use proprietary non-profit software, web-based programs and databases related to job responsibilities.