Speech Language Pathologist

Department BSD PED - Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics

About The Department The Section of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics (DBP), within the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Chicago and at the Comer Children’s Hospital is a Center of Excellence in developmental diagnosis, biomedical management, and family supports for children with motor, communicative, sensory, developmental, genetic, neurological, learning, and behavior disorders. The Section includes 3 Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric faculty members, two childhood trauma psychologists, 3 DBP subspecialty fellows, and nursing support. The Section provides interdisciplinary assessment and biopsychosocial management practices to optimize child functioning, support families, and maximize prevention strategies across health, education, and community care systems. The Section serves as a resource for primary care practitioners, subspecialists, and community professional agencies for children at high risk for having suboptimal educational outcomes and those with complex medical and/or behavioral challenges. Their collective clinical expertise is coupled with research, educational endeavors, advocacy, and public policy activities geared to ensuring that children receive the information and supports for long-term success. The faculty’s clinical expertise, research contributions, and leadership roles within communities and professional organizations are recognized at the local, regional, national, and international levels. The clinical services provided by the Section include, but are not limited to, interdisciplinary diagnostic assessment of children enrolled in Early Intervention and diagnostic and treatment for children with a diverse array of childhood delays and disabilities (autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, learning disorders, feeding disorders, etc.).

Job Summary The Section of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics (DBP) is seeking a full-time  Speech Language Pathologist to deliver services to children being cared for in our clinical practice. This work may be done both independently as an individual provider establishing their practice and as part of a multi-disciplinary team. In addition, the Speech Language Pathologist may serve as a core interventionist in clinical therapy trials led by the Section of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics.

Responsibilities

• The  Speech Language Pathologist will hold an independent clinic for patients with diverse delays and disabilities including, but not limited to: autism spectrum disorder, speech delay, childhood apraxia of speech, developmental articulation disorder, dysphagia, feeding disorder. They will see patients for both initial assessment and ongoing therapies.
• Working either individually or as a team member, evaluates children's age of birth through teenage years with delays or disabilities in independent functioning.
• Deliver services for children cared for within the Early Intervention Outreach Program.
• Interprets physician referrals and conducts a speech and language evaluation of patients with various speech, language, voice, cognitive and swallowing disorders.
• Evaluates children’s capabilities, recommends, and provides therapy. Develops and implements individual intervention plans for outpatient therapy and makes additional recommendations to the development of IFSPs and IEPs and 504 plans.
• Provides direct services to support the child’s individual development of skills for daily living. Assists the team in the development of appropriate individual goals and objectives supporting maximal therapeutic trajectories appropriate to each child’s individual needs.
• Follows treatment programs and goals for improved patient function, participation, and family well-being.
• Participates in case conferences to ensure coordinated and comprehensive plans for care of the child and communicating these plans to the child’s family.
• Identifies and arranges for other necessary supports or accommodations required for continued developmental achievements.
• Communicates with other professional staff and the child’s family support system to provide continuity of care.
• Collaborates with a variety of individuals, including the sports medicine staff, coaches, administrators, and various offices on campus providing wellness events and services.
• Evaluates patient data to determine patient needs or treatment goals.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Education: Minimum Qualifications Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications: Preferred Qualifications Education:

• Master’s degree or higher in Speech Language Pathology.

Experience:

• Two years of experience working with children with cognitive and/or physical limitations.
• Two years of experience in the speech therapy field.
• Experience in providing an array of diagnostic and therapeutic services in health centers, home settings and educational programs.

Licenses And Certifications:

• Certification as a State of Illinois Early Intervention Specialist and Evaluator.
• Early Intervention credentialing in Illinois.
• Speech-Language Pathology license issued by the state of Illinois.
• Incumbent may also be required to obtain a license for providing services in Indiana.
• Completion of Annual Continuing Medical Education (CME) requirements for Speech Therapy (ST) practice and Early Intervention.

Preferred Competencies

• Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing with students, the parents, and other professionals.
• Ability to develop reports and maintain records.
• Ability to adapt to a variety of settings.
• In depth, up-to-date knowledge of speech therapy, theory and practice, and the legal and ethical issues associated with them.
• Working knowledge of recovery models is preferred for each case.
• Bilingual in Spanish.

Working Conditions

• Direct patient contact or clinical care setting.

Applications Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover Letter ( required )

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When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family Healthcare & Medical Services

Role Impact Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours 40

Drug Test Required Yes

Health Screen Required Yes

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required No

Pay Rate Type Salary

FLSA Status Exempt

Pay Range $80,000.00 - $110,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

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