Clinical Associate (Speech-Language Pathologist)

Position Summary

The Section of Child Development and Rehabilitation in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria is seeking to add a Speech-Language Pathologist to the program. The Speech-Language Pathologist will work with developmental-behavioral pediatrics, neurodevelopmental pediatrics, advanced practice registered nurses in child development, social work, dietitians, nurses, and other clinical staff to provide comprehensive care to patients with intellectual, developmental, and neurodevelopmental disabilities. The Child Development and Rehabilitation program is an active program working in the areas of autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disabilities, pediatric feeding disorders, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, congenital heart disease, neurodevelopmental follow-up, Down syndrome, and other genetic syndromes.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide developmentally appropriate evaluation, goal setting, and treatment recommendations for children who have swallowing-feeding disorders.
• Perform comprehensive feeding and swallowing evaluations for children with developmental, neurological, genetic, and medical conditions.
• Develop individualized treatment plans with measurable goals based on evidence-based practices.
• Provide safe, effective, and ongoing speech-language and feeding therapy.
• Assess oral motor skills, sensory processing related to feeding, swallowing safety, and mealtime behaviors.
• Document treatment provided in the electronic medical record and provide timely and accurate information to other treatment team members.
• Develop and implement individualized feeding intervention plans to improve oral intake, food variety, chewing, swallowing, and mealtime participation.
• Collaborate with physicians, dietitians, psychologists, social workers, and nursing staff to provide comprehensive feeding care.
• Educate families on safe feeding techniques, positioning, texture modifications, pacing strategies, and home exercise programs.
• Monitor nutritional concerns and communicate recommendations to the interdisciplinary team.
• Teach medical students, Speech-Language Pathology students, residents, and fellows in pediatrics, nurse practitioner students, and nurse fellows.
• Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.