DIVISION: Academy

REPORTS TO: Lead Therapist  

SUPERVISES: None 

EXEMPTION STATUS:  Non-Exempt 

POSITION SUMMARY: The Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) provides specialized communication, speech, language, social-pragmatic, and feeding services within the BHA Academy for individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, and complex behavioral needs. Guided by BHA Academy’s Core Values—Compassion with Purpose, Structure Builds Safety, Professionalism in Every Moment, Positivity Drives Progress, Education is Empowerment, Consistency Creates Change, Reunification is Our Mission, and Advocacy Through Action—the SLP evaluates, develops, and implements individualized therapy programs that support functional communication and meaningful skill acquisition.

The SLP collaborates closely with teachers, clinicians, behavior staff, paraprofessionals, and families to embed communication supports throughout the instructional day. The role includes assessments, progress monitoring, staff coaching, crisis support, documentation, and accurate logging of services for compliance and billing purposes.

This is a safety-sensitive position. Employees must be able to safely perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, including maintaining continuous alertness, providing direct supervision, driving individuals served as required, and administering medications as trained

Therapists implement supports using the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), working in close collaboration with Behavioral Clinicians to carry out evidence-based interventions, skill-building programs, and behavior support strategies with fidelity.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

Education & Experience:

· Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology.

· Current Missouri Licensure as an SLP; ASHA CCC-SLP preferred. 

· Experience with students with disabilities, severe behaviors, sensory integration needs, and use of AAC or visual communication supports.

· Familiarity with AAC systems including PECS, high-tech devices, visual supports, and social communication interventions.

· Understanding of ABA principles and behavior management strategies preferred.

· Minimum 3 years of experience supporting individuals with developmental disabilities or behavioral disorders (school experience strongly preferred).

Skills & Competencies

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Organizational and time management proficiency.
• Emotional resilience and professionalism in high-pressure situations.
• Strong knowledge of IDEA, IEP processes, and data-based decision-making
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and data collection systems
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated leadership, collaboration, and ethical professionalism
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and data management systems
• Proficiency in implementing AAC tools and visual communication supports
• Ability to collect data accurately and maintain documentation within required timelines

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Compassion with Purpose

· Build trusting, therapeutic relationships with students using empathy, patience, and high expectations.

· Use trauma-informed, strengths-based approaches when supporting students with communication barriers or intense behaviors.

· Support students during communication breakdowns, dysregulation, or crisis situations by providing calm, regulated, and supportive intervention.

· Approach behavior as communication and use functional communication training to replace unsafe or maladaptive behaviors.

· Celebrate student gains and reinforce meaningful progress, no matter how small.

Structure Builds Safety

· Develop and implement communication systems, visual supports, AAC programs, and structured communication routines across the school day.

· Create predictable, accessible communication environments to reduce frustration and support emotional regulation.

· Collaborate with teachers and paraprofessionals to embed structured communication opportunities into daily schedules.

· Ensure therapy areas and materials are organized, safe, and conducive to learning.

· Maintain timely and accurate daily documentation, session notes, and service logs to support regulatory compliance and billing timelines.

Professionalism in Every Moment 

· Maintain confidentiality, ethical practice, and professional integrity at all times.

· Remain calm, regulated, and composed during crisis events or challenging behaviors.

· Demonstrate respectful, solutions-oriented communication with classroom staff, families, and colleagues.

· Accept feedback professionally and implement changes with a growth mindset.

· Attend and contribute to IEP meetings, team meetings, parent meetings, and required training sessions.

· Complete all documentation—IEP input, evaluations, progress monitoring, quarterly reports, and therapy notes—with accuracy and timeliness.

· Record all billable services in the company platform.

Positivity Drives Progress

· Maintain a hopeful, student-centered, solution-focused approach to challenges.

· Model optimism, resilience, and encouragement for students and staff.

· Reinforce a positive team culture by celebrating wins and supporting colleagues.

· Approach communication setbacks as opportunities to problem-solve and innovate.

Education is Empowerment 

· Conduct comprehensive speech, language, AAC, feeding, and social-pragmatic evaluations using standardized assessments and clinical observation.

· Develop individualized communication goals and therapy plans aligned with IEPs and student needs.

· Provide individual and group therapy targeting expressive/receptive language, articulation, AAC use, pragmatic skills, social communication, feeding, and functional communication.

· Collect and analyze ongoing data to refine treatment plans and adjust interventions.

· Coach and model communication strategies for teachers and paraprofessionals to ensure skill generalization across settings.

· Train staff on AAC use, communication prompting hierarchies, and language-rich instructional practices.

· Support assistive technology and communication device programming as needed.

Consistency Creates Change 

· Demonstrate reliability, punctuality, and preparedness for all therapy sessions, meetings, and deadlines.

· Ensure continuity of care through consistent communication expectations, practice routines, and treatment fidelity.

· Maintain regular communication with classroom teams regarding progress, observations, and recommended strategies.

· Follow through fully on responsibilities, documentation, and assigned tasks with high accountability.

Reunification is Our Mission

· Provide communication interventions that build functional independence, emotional regulation, and readiness for less restrictive environments.

· Support skill development that helps students access general education settings when appropriate.

· Contribute data and expertise during IEP reviews to inform progress, transitions, and district collaboration.

Advocacy Through Action 

· Advocate for appropriate communication supports, accommodations, and services.

· Identify barriers to student communication access and communicate recommendations proactively.

· Train staff and families on AAC, communication strategies, and generalization of skills outside of therapy sessions.

· Serve as a subject matter expert on communication, AAC, and language development within the Academy.

Other Duties 

· Conduct staff training, supervision, and performance evaluations as assigned.

· Support crisis-response and behavioral intervention efforts as assigned.

· Complete all documentation, billing, and reporting requirements in accordance with BHA and regulatory guidelines.

· Complete all expense reports and time reports on or before designated deadlines. 

· Uphold BHA’s mission and values in all work performed.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

BHA Academy Core Values

Compassion with Purpose 

Structure Builds Safety

Professionalism in Every Moment 

Positivity Drives Progress 

Education is Empowerment 

Consistency Creates Change 

Reunification is Our Mission 

 Advocacy Through Action 

Fitness for Duty / Medical Evaluation (Job-Related):
BHA may require a job-related fitness-for-duty evaluation consistent with applicable law when there is a reasonable concern that an employee may be unable to safely perform the essential functions of the role (including driving, medication administration, crisis response, and continuous supervision), or as part of return-to-work clearance following certain leaves or incidents.

ACCESS TO PHI: The employee may have access to Protected Health Information (PHI). Employees must always protect the confidentiality of all client information. This includes adhering to all BHA policies and all applicable state and federal regulations regarding Protected Health Information (PHI). Sharing, discussing, or disclosing PHI in any form—verbal, written, electronic, or visual—is strictly prohibited unless explicitly authorized and required for job duties.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT: Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment based on their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination based on their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy shall not be interpreted so as to violate the legal rights of religious organizations or the recruiting rights of military organizations associated with the Armed Forces or the Department of Homeland Security of the United States of America.

ADA STATEMENT: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each essential job duty. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

ACCOUNTABILITY/IMPACT (Degree of answerability for actions, consequences of errors in judgment, and legal liabilities): Errors in judgment or mistakes could cost the organization loss of revenue, loss of clients, and/or negatively impact KCBHH’s reputation.

JOB TYPE

Full-time

SCHEDULE

Mon-Fri, 8a-4:30p

This is an onsite position.

FULL-TIME BENEFITS

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
• Participation in The 2P Plan — our unique, growth-based bonus program
• OnDemand Pay (access your pay when you need it)
• Health Savings Account (HSA) / Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options
• Short- and Long-Term Disability coverage
• 401(k) with company match
• Additional $100 monthly wellness benefit after 90 days
• Referral bonuses and more!

ASK ABOUT OUR 2P PLAN

Great things happen when talented professionals are supported to grow and develop. Our Premier Professionals (2P) Plan is our way of investing in you and building a bright future together. More than a tiered incentive plan, 2P grows with you. Elevate your career, advance professionally, and feel truly valued for your contributions. Offering special 2P bonuses paid out 2x a year. Find meaning, opportunity, growth, and more, as a 2P Professional with BHA.

Starting Pay: Our compensation is competitive within the market. The starting rate for this position begins at $49.00 per hour, with your final offer based on a combination of your education, relevant experience, and overall qualifications