Position Status: Part-Time, 20 hours/week during school sessions

Location: Easterseals Learning Academy, 110 Fandel Road, Germantown Hills, IL 61548

Why work at the Learning Academy at Easterseals Central Illinois?

About Us: Our goal at Easterseals Learning Academy is to empower students to achieve peak academic performance, enhance social and emotional skills, develop effective communication, and gain functional life skills for community independence. We are an approved private school by the Illinois State Board of Education, serving students ages 3-21 with Autism, emotional disabilities, developmental delays, intellectual disabilities, and other health impairments. School districts from all over the area contract with Easterseals to assist them in providing educational programs for children with autism and related intellectual disabilities. We provide an alternative school placement for these students and help them grow toward independence.

What We Offer:

• High Staff-to-Student Ratio: Our highly trained staff and evidence-based instructional strategies provide personalized support that meets each student's unique needs.
• Fully Equipped Learning Environment: Classrooms and therapy rooms are designed to foster growth across all areas of learning and development.
• Individualized Education: Our curriculum aligns with state learning standards, while our instructional programs and services emphasize individualized approaches that help students transition back to their schools and communities.

Position Objective: The Speech-Language Pathologist provides direct speech/language/feeding treatment and consultation services to Easterseals Learning Academy students and their families. The therapist evaluates individuals, establishes goals, and designs and implements specific treatment programs.

Job Functions:

• Completes initial evaluation and evaluation report(s) for each individual.
• Re-evaluates persons served every twelve months or as indicated.
• Establishes individualized therapy goals and generates data for the initial client/family treatment plan. Completes progress notes every three to six months or as required.
• Participates in parent/guardian Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) meetings. Attends medical staffings/case studies to participate in interdisciplinary team discussions of IFSPs as necessary.
• Monitors progress and modifies treatment goals (Intervention Goals) and therapeutic intervention strategies as necessary and/or every six months at a minimum.
• Accurately document treatment notes and additional contacts regarding the individual served in EMR communication tab(s).
• Develops and instructs family members in home program activities, revising as necessary. During the session, provides parent/guardian/family training regarding HEP and therapy strategies.
• Participates as needed or requested in the smooth transition of an individual to a public school program or other placement as necessary. Corresponds with physicians and other professionals involved in the care/treatment of the client/family as necessary.
• Accesses and updates the Electronic Medical system as necessary.
• Attends meetings, case studies, and in-services as requested.
• Provides impedance and hearing screenings as necessary (i.e. check fluid in ears).
• Ensures that all requirements for credentialing and licensure are maintained (e.g. Early Interventions credentialing, Illinois license, certification)

Marginal Responsibilities:

• Completes letters of medical necessity as needed.
• Supervises graduate student interns and non-licensed staff as necessary.
• Mentors new staff members as requested.
• Fulfills contractual obligations as requested.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education/Experience Requirements

• Master’s Degree from an accredited university in Speech-Language Pathology.
• A Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech Pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing and Hearing Association (ASHA) or eligible for CCC in Clinical Fellowship (CF) year.
• Must be licensed in the State of Illinois or eligible for licensure.
• Illinois Early Intervention Credential or eligible for credential.
• A minimum of one year proven successful experience in the area of pediatric speech therapy, preferred.

Competency Requirements

• Advanced knowledge and skill necessary to independently provide evaluations and treatment plans related to credentialed/licensed field of practice.
• Working knowledge of personal computers and software (MS Office Suite)

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Must have visual ability sufficient to read and complete written correspondence, reports, etc., and computer screen information.
• Frequent use of hands to grasp, handle or feel.
• Regular standing, walking, sitting, and reaching.
• Occasionally lift and carry up to fifty (50) pounds.
• Engages in physical restraint of students, as necessary.
• Ability to drive a personal vehicle to meetings and service sites.

Work Environment

• Primarily operates in school environments with little exposure to excessive noise, dust, and temperature.
• Routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines.

Easterseals Central Illinois is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Easterseals is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, call 309.686.1177.