Speech Language Pathologist, CDS

At Wayfinder Family Services, we understand the unique challenges facing some of our state’s most vulnerable children, youth and adults. Those with disabilities, those without a home of their own, those who have been abused and many, many more. We answer the call for them. We believe in the amazing potential in, and for, each and every one of them. And, together, we find a way to turn that potential into reality.  

Program and Role Summary

Wayfinder’s Child Development Services provides early intervention in person to children from birth to age 6 with visual impairment or multiple disabilities. Young children maximize any vision they have and reduce developmental delays. Parents learn to provide their child with therapeutic stimulation and advocate for their child’s education and care. Child development reduces the need for special education and increases independence for children with disabilities.

The primary focus on the Speech Language Pathologist, is to provide speech therapy services to children from birth to three years of age. The Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) is a critical member of the interdisciplinary team, responsible for providing assessment, diagnosis, and intervention for students with communication and/or swallowing disorders. The SLP designs and implements evidence-based therapy plans to address speech, language, fluency, social communication difficulties and/or swallowing difficulties. This includes creating and monitoring Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs), delivering direct therapy, and consulting with families to support communication needs.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provide appropriate intervention to children birth through three years of age that exhibit severe communication delays, several global delays, moderate to severe feeding delays or disorders, and/or severe sensory challenges.
• Provide direct intervention in the child's natural environment; home, center-based site or school. Coordinate scheduling to meet the needs of the family, ensuring weekly visits are met as authorized by the Regional Center or school district.
• Participate in the development and implementation of each child’s Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) in collaboration with the family and education team, providing progress reports as required by each Regional Center or Local Education Agency.
• Develop and implement individualized, evidence-based therapy plans to address specific communication needs, including articulation, phonological processes, receptive and expressive language, voice, fluency, and pragmatic (social) language skills.
• Provide guidance and training to parents and caregivers on how to support their child’s development at home, by training caregivers to incorporate language-building strategies (e.g., modeling, expansion) into daily routines, and providing home practice plans to reinforce skills.
• Use a variety of therapeutic techniques and tools, such as play-based therapy, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices, and digital resources to engage students and meet diverse learning needs.
• Frequent driving is required throughout Los Angeles County.
• Other duties as outlined in the position description.

Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology is required.
• California state licensure and certification as required (e.g., Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) from ASHA) is required.
• Minimum one year experience as a speech therapist, working with infants/children preferred.
• Valid CA Driver License with a minimum of two (2) years good driving history and must be approved by the agency’s insurance carrier to drive agency vehicles.

Benefits: Wayfinder is committed to providing our employees with a benefits program that is both comprehensive and competitive which includes:

• Paid Time Off: Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) policy, 11 paid holidays, plus five winter holidays
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match up to 4% 
• Employee referral program: Encourage your colleagues to join us
• Education tuition assistance program: Invest in your career development 
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible
• Flexible spending account (FSA) plans 
• Eligibility and other benefits are outlined in plan documents

Additional Benefits Offered for this role :

• Training and professional development

Wayfinder Family Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We support a drug-free workplace and conduct pre-employment background and drug screenings.