• Selects appropriate assessment tools from standardized and non-standardized tests for the Intellectually Disabled population to determine, modifies assessments as needed in order to determine appropriate therapeutic intervention. Specifically, chooses from a variety of sources to complete appropriate assessments that best identify the needs of the individual. Assessments include oral motor/swallowing assessments to identify swallowing difficulties as well as to determine diet texture, adaptive eating equipment and specific self or assisted feeding techniques. Assessment also include standardized testing in receptive/expressive language as well as auditory processing and nonverbal communication. Criterion based testing is used to evaluate nonverbal communication and potential for augmentative communication. Measures possible decline in cognition reflected in adaptive and maladaptive behavior changes.
  
  • Responsible for researching assessments that are most current and relevant to this population. Assessments also include interview of familiar caregivers/family members and observation to ensure thorough evaluations of communicative and swallow function.
  • Interprets test results/observations to determine individual’s needs and programs. Assist with review and evaluation of GERs on dysphagia, recommend changes in food consistencies, feeding techniques and equipment or training to improve outcome for safety and health.

• Tailors primary Speech and Language Pathology theories and principles to develop different approaches and plans to meet the unique needs of the intellectually disabled individuals served at the regional center.
• Develops service programs or objectives to meet identified needs addressing health and safety issues related to swallowing difficulties and esophageal problems that place individuals at risk for choking,aspiraton or aspiration pneumonia. These individualized feeding guidelines include data collection that tracks pertinent information.
• Provide intensive training and role modeling to day program and residential direct care staff on and/or feeding programs. Determines method of nutritional intake including diet texture and thickness of liquids as well as quantity and rate of intake.
• Collaborates with Health Services to determine oral versus NPO status for nutritional needs. Collaborates with Occupational Therapy and Dietary departments in the management of oral motor swallowing function. Existing guidelines for feeding and oral motor stimulation are often modified in emergency situations such as a sudden decline in medical status or medication related side effects. These changes often necessitate different and specialized approaches to maintain safety of the resident.
• Collaborates with community Speech Language Pathologists in hospitals, and outpatient clinics for modified barium swallow studies

• Develops individualized training objectives tailored to meet the needs that comply with the unique behavioral and/or physical challenges specific to the individual. The services and objectives address speech, language, and hearing deficits for residents who have cognitive and physical impairments that affect their receptive and expressive speech and language skills.
• Assess residents for appropriate augmentative communications systems.
• Develop augmentative communication programs such as manual sign language, informal gestures that are meaningful to the individual, low tech picture communication systems, and speech generated communication devices. Implement programs to increase the resident’s independence in using a communication device or hearing aids.
• Provide training to caregivers specific to their role as communication partners who consistently support and use communication systems with the individuals in their care. Provide training to caregivers to accommodate the needs of individuals with auditory processing difficulties
• Services direct care staff on program implementation that includes creative techniques to improve individual participation.
• Monitor and supervise the implementation of Speech Therapy services and supports, which includes communications and social skills. Provide Speech therapeutic expertise to program areas in conjunction with team IDT to assure objective implementation as per individual plan.
• Delivers direct and indirect speech therapy services when specialized treatment is required. Train residential and program staff on specific programs.

• Develop specific objectives and programs, design appropriate data sheets, collect and analyze data and summarize information.
• Documents progress of all programs and objectives in the Resident Record. Determine needed revisions to flat-linted programs to assure further individual progress. This often necessitates developing creative and unique strategies to increase interest and participation in the program as well as unique datasheets. Directly implements selected programs and active treatment plans.
• Provides ongoing consultation and/or supervision for staff who follow the written programs to ensure the identified habilitation needs and intent of the programs are met.

• Trains and monitors the speech therapy programs to Day Program and Residential direct care staff and ensures that the programs are integrated in the activity schedules of the Day Program and Residential areas. Provide training for new employee orientation. Teaches assigned core skills training for speech therapy that includes swallowing disorders (Dysphagia) and communication skills.
  
  • Provides program specific inservices to staff as well as therapy based inservicing to improve client care and individual development potential in the area of expertise that is under the umbrella of Speech and Language Pathology.

• These include but are not limited to participation in peer review and clinic reviews as assigned.
• Participates in committees as assigned to represent and advocate for the speech therapy department, manage budget and create and maintain positive working relationships with community providers for audiometric evaluations, community-based speech therapy and with SLPs that perform modified barium swallows.
• Completing management monitoring per Director’s scheduling and assist with staff coverage.

Minimum Qualifications:

Current, valid licensure with Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) to practice Speech and Language Therapy.

~AND~

TWO (2) years of experience in an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position.

Substitutions:
None

Conditions of Employment:

• A pre-employment criminal background check will be conducted as part of the selection process as this position is deemed to have direct contact with vulnerable persons. Felony convictions, conviction of crimes of moral turpitude, or convictions of misdemeanors related to job duties may disqualify you from being considered for this position. Should your background check reveal any charges or convictions, it is your responsibility to provide the CDHS Background Unit with an official disposition of any charges.
• Must take successfully pass a Tuberculosis (TB) test.
• Valid and current Colorado Driver's License.
• Travel – Drive state car to various group homes, programming, admin & in community.
• Other – Requires Influenza and COVID Vaccines.
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application and provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify the applicant from the current position. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.
• On or after October 31, 2021, each facility shall ensure all newly hired employees or support staff members are fully vaccinated at the time of hire or receive their first dose of a two-dose protocol, or a single-dose vaccination, prior to providing any care, treatment, or other services for the facility and/or its clients. Upon hire, new employees will have three (3) business days to provide attestation to their status with proof of vaccination. Vaccinated employees must provide proof of first dose prior to providing care.
• Note: Fully Vaccinated means two (2) weeks after a second dose in a two-dose series of the COVID-19 vaccine, such as the Pfizer, Moderna or Novavax vaccine, or two (2) weeks after the single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine.
• Religious and medical exemptions and reasonable accommodation shall be addressed as required by law pursuant to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s vaccination guidance. If you would like to request a medical or religious exemption, please contact CDHS_HumanResources@state.co.us
  
  Appeal Rights:
  
  If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.
  
  An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), postmarked in US Mail or hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department’s action.
  
  For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to spb.colorado.gov; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at (303) 866-3300; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan www.copera.org plus 401(k) and 457 plans
• Medical and dental health plans
• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
• BenefitHub state employee discount program
• Employee Wellness program MotivateMe
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more

• Remote work arrangements for eligible positions

• 
  Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more

We believe in a people-first approach: To serve the people of Colorado, we develop a culture and work environment that creates an energized, inspired, and healthy team capable of giving their best to Coloradans.

Balance creates quality of life: We want our team to be resilient through a supportive workplace that values flexibility, health and wellness, and employee engagement.

We hold ourselves accountable: We take responsibility through our actions, programs, and results for the state of health and human services in Colorado.

Transparency matters: We are open and honest with employees, our partners, the Coloradans we serve, and the public.

We are ethical: We abide by what is best for those we serve by doing what is right, not what is easy.

Collaboration helps us rise together: We work together with all partners, employees, and clients to achieve the best outcomes for Coloradans.

We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.

ADAA Accommodations: CDHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, Nancy Schmelzer, at cdhs_ada@state.co.us or call 1-800-929-0791.