Edmonton Catholic Schools is a large urban school division whose mission is to provide a Catholic education that inspires students to learn and prepares them to live fully and serve God in one another. The Division comprises over 44,000 students and 5,000 employees in 95 schools and other sites.

The job provides speech and language services to students within inclusive environments. This includes children who have been identified with severe, mild/moderate needs as well as those children who are typically developing. All programs are inclusive, and welcoming to all children, so an understanding of the Pyramid of Intervention (the integration of broad-based supports/strategies, as well as small group and individual strategies are critical. Speech-language pathology strategies are incorporated into the child’s program, in authentic and functional ways.
The job is primarily responsible for addressing and identifying speech and language (using assessment as necessary) needs that have been impacting the child’s performance at school. Collaborating and communicating with both the school team and the multi-disciplinary team is also essential. Involvement in building capacity not only with the teacher but also through the parents with family programming in the community, is also a responsibility of this position. A Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) is hired for this position because of their professional expertise to identify, diagnose and treat communication delays and disorders.

Job Responsibilities and Activities

• Liaise closely with the teachers, Educational Assistants, Therapeutic Assistants, Early Childhood Educators, parents and other members of the school team
• Liaise closely with the multi-disciplinary team including Occupational Therapists, Behavioural Specialists, Physical Therapists, Psychologists, Social Workers, Fine Arts Specialists and Consultants
• Administer, score and interpret standardized speech and language assessments
• Diagnose speech and language disorders
  Write assessments and treatment reports (IPPs, year-end summaries, etc.) to share with parents and professionals within and outside of the Edmonton Catholic School system
• Provide ongoing observation of development in the areas of cognition, self-help skills, fine motor skills, gross motor development, socialization/play skills and behaviour, in conjunction with other members of the multi-disciplinary team
• Conduct therapy within the context of typical classroom activities
• Generalize intervention strategies to all natural environments, which include programming for generalization in the classroom, home and new environments
• Develop and implement lessons and activities to address the individual goals of children as outlined in Individual Program Plans (IPP)
• Direct and assist students in performing daily classroom routines
• Lead instruction and activities with large and small groups of children
• Collaborate with other therapists if possible to demonstrate cross-connection (i.e. behaviour and language strategies)
• Devise and train parents to implement home programs to permit carry-over of learning to home
• Provide strategies to facilitate their child’s development
  Develop family programs in various settings, and together with other families, for group learning and networking opportunities as well as individual family sessions
• Integrate strategies into natural environments and activities
• Consult with other professionals (both within and outside of ECSD)
• Coordinate additional services for children including audiology referrals, feeding and swallowing referrals and medical referrals
• Participate in IPP planning
• Meet with other professionals and caregivers
  Attend and participate in school case/debrief meetings and Early Learning Multi-Discipline meetings
• Work with multi-disciplinary teams to develop learning and development strategies
• Provide onsite modeling, support and follow-up to classroom teachers and assistants, as capacity is built at school to continue the integration of broad-based strategies within the daily, functional context of the classroom
• Participate in the development and delivery of professional development for parents and Division staff, that model effective strategies within the discipline
• Maintain certification through various professional development activities

Qualifications and Competencies

• Master of Science in Speech and Language Therapy, plus three years of direct experience including paediatric speech and language intervention
• Registered with the Alberta College of Speech and Language Pathologists and Audiologists (Practice Permit) is mandatory; continuing professional development as per ACSLPA guidelines; professional liability as per ACSLPA guidelines
• Knowledge of the selection and design of alternative and augmentative communication systems Knowledge of FOIP Legislation
• Microsoft programs including Excel, Outlook and databases Knowledge of research, data collection and analysis techniques Knowledge of workplace safety including an awareness of Occupational Health and Safety regulations
• Understanding of early learning philosophy is required with an understanding of Reggio-inspired philosophy Understanding of the Pyramid of Intervention (the integration of broad-based supports/strategies, as well as small group and individual strategies are critical
• General knowledge of In this multi-disciplinary setting, it is essential to be informed in all disciplines
• General knowledge of the Division/department operations, business, goals and objectives and an understanding of the elementary curriculum
• Very strong assessment and problem-solving skills are required to identify and address developmental and educational delays
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to translate and convey highly technical/medical information to parents/guardians and professional staff is essential. Effective decision-making and leadership qualities
• Flexibility is essential given the variety of children’s abilities, needs and conditions
• Strong demonstration and oral presentation skills
• Skills to facilitate the consultant role through education, training and assisting other professionals
• Ability to work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team
• Ability to work independently

Edmonton Catholic Schools is committed to maintaining a respectful and inclusive workplace that welcomes and values candidates from diverse backgrounds. We hire employees of all faiths for non-teacher positions.

Due to the high volume of applications received, only qualified candidates who are shortlisted will be contacted.

Edmonton Catholic Schools offers a comprehensive benefits program as part of its total compensation package, based on contract status

Prior to employment, successful candidates will be required to submit Police Information Check and Intervention Record Check documents.

Candidates must be Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents.