Occupational Therapist Or Speech Language Therapist

Salary : $71,593.60 - $94,432.00 Annually
Location : Barron, WI
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2024-12
Department: Health & Human Services
Division: Public Health
Opening Date: 02/19/2024
Closing Date: 3/20/2024 4:00 PM Central
This position is for an early interventionist in Barron County's Birth to 3 Program. A licensed Occupational Therapist or Speech and language pathologist can fill this role. This position will provide quality early intervention services through educating and coaching families, caregivers, and colleagues to support the development of children from birth up to the age of three within their daily routines and activities. Early interventionists enhance families' capacities to support their children by actively participating in relationship-based interventions using the evidence-based primary coaching model to enhance the development of infants and toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities. The interventionist will be a member of a multidisciplinary early intervention team supporting infants and toddlers with developmental delays and their families in the child's natural environment.
Examples of Duties / Knowledge & Skills

1. Provides early intervention services with child and caretaker to help meet Individualized Family Services Plan (IFSP) outcomes in natural environments utilizing Primary Coach Approach early intervention evidence-based practice.
2. Participates in multi-discipline formal evaluation of developmental skills to determine program eligibility.
3. Assists in the completion of evaluation reports.
4. Participates in team development, review, and evaluation of Individualized Family Services Plan (IFSP).
5. Serves as primary early intervention coach for families and their children with developmental delays.
6. Provides advanced coaching and guidance to the Birth to 3 team and families in the area of expertise.
7. Provides joint coaching to other primary coaches and families as needed.
8. Completes ongoing assessment of developmental progress.
9. Completes Plan of Care reports and submits to primary care physician for approval.
10. Consults and coordinates with Birth to Three team members and other community partners as needed to provide the best possible early intervention services.
11. Demonstrates sensitivity to cultural, linguistic, social, economic, educational, individual, and role differences among families served.
12. Works as a collaborative, productive, and positive team member in promoting early intervention services within a strong teaming environment.
13. Completes necessary documentation and paperwork timely to meet the federal, state, and local Birth to Three standards for documentation and insurance revenue purposes.
14. Assists in the coordination of services and makes appropriate referrals as needed.
15. Assists the Director and Service Coordinator in program management tasks, such as billing trouble-shooting, quality assurance/chart review, grant-writing, program reporting, and administrative improvements.
16. Assist with child find, community awareness, parent/family networking activities, and educational activities for families in the community.
17. Instructs family members in the proper and safe usage of adaptive equipment and assistive technology.
18. Assist with state file reviews and program self-assessment process.
19. Participates in regular team meetings and statewide meetings and training opportunities.
20. Performs public health emergency response duties as assigned and consistent with job classification and training provided, in response to threats to the public's health.
21. Participates in Department and community emergency response training and drills consistent with job classification supporting public health emergency and disaster preparedness.
22. Participates in at least one action team related to a strategic plan priority.
23. Participates in strategic planning, quality improvement, workforce development, and accreditation activities.
24. Attends other staff meetings as scheduled.
25. Other duties as assigned.

Minimum qualifications & Requirements

• For Occupational Therapist: Bachelor's degree or Master's degree in Occupational Therapy with appropriate licensure. Certification by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. Licensed as an Occupational Therapist in the State of Wisconsin.
• For Speech and Language Pathologist: Licensed Speech and Language Pathologist. Master's Degree from an accredited Speech Language Pathology program. Must have attained or be eligible for a Certificate of Clinical Competence.
• Experience with Birth to 3 or other early intervention programs in a natural or home environment preferred.
• Must successfully pass criminal and caregiver background check.
• Valid driver's license or access to transportation to travel between homes across the county.

Supplemental information
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of typical and atypical child development and Sensory Integration Theory.
• Ability to implement strategies with families to support a child's optimal functioning.
• Advanced knowledge of early childhood fine motor, adaptive and sensory development and related evaluations and intervention strategies.
• Skill in working with children with developmental delays and/or disabilities.
• Knowledge of community human service resources and means of access by people in need; familiarity with literature and current practice in the field of child development and social work.
• Ability to use interviewing methods for obtaining complete and accurate information when working with families in need of program services.
• Knowledge of administrative policies and procedures of the County.
• Knowledge of current office practices and procedures and knowledge of the operation of standard office equipment and software.
• Ability to establish and maintain accurate records of assigned activities and operations.
• Ability to interpret and implement local policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; Federal, State, and local regulations.
• Skill in organizational and time management to prioritize duties to accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority.
• Ability to perform detailed work accurately and independently in compliance with stringent time limits with minimal direction and supervision.
• Ability to think quickly, maintain self-control, and adapt to stressful situations.
• Knowledge of computer software including word processing, spreadsheet and database applications consistent for this position.
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations required of this position.
• Ability to perform detailed work accurately and independently in compliance with stringent time limits with minimal direction and supervision.
• Ability to understand and effectively carry out verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to apply sound judgment and discretion in performing duties, resolving problems and interpreting policies and regulations.
• Ability to communicate detailed and often sensitive information effectively and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to handle sensitive interpersonal situations calmly and tactfully.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with individuals within and outside the organization.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion regarding business-related files, reports and conversations, within the provision of open records laws.
• Ability to work the allocated hours of the position and respond after hours as needed.

Early Intervention Competencies:

• Knowledge of general development in infants and toddlers, including children with and without developmental delays, with expertise in all areas of development.
• Knowledge of intervention in natural environments.
• An understanding of the importance of providing services for young children with disabilities and their families.
• Empathy for others and the ability to respect and maintain professional/personal boundaries.
• Experience working within trans-disciplinary teams; experience with young children and families; and experience in home visiting preferred.
• The ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
• The ability to work with families in their home environment with creativity and innovation.
• The ability to express differing opinions to others regardless of their position or status maturely and professionally.
• Evaluation, assessment, and report writing skills
• Physical ability to work in the natural environment of the child and care providers.
• Encourages and supports individualized learning in familiar, positive, safe home and community environments.
• Promotes community partnerships using a family-centered approach that supports children, youth, and families.
• Acknowledges value and respects the diversity of all individuals.
• Emphasizes recommended practice, supported by current research and evaluation.

Public Health Competencies:

• Determines quantitative and qualitative data and information (e.g., vital statistics, electronic health records, transportation patterns, unemployment rates, community input, health equity impact assessments) needed for assessing the health of a community
• Applies ethical principles in accessing, collecting, analyzing, using, maintaining, and disseminating data and information
• Analyzes the validity and reliability of data
• Identifies assets and resources that can be used for improving the health of a community
• Assesses community health status and factors influencing health in a community (e.g., quality, availability, accessibility, and use of health services; access to affordable housing)
• Makes evidence-based decisions
• Contributes to the development of program goals and objectives
• Communicates in writing and orally with linguistic and cultural proficiency (e.g., using age-appropriate materials, incorporating images)
• Communicates information to influence behavior and improve health
• Supports diverse perspectives in developing, implementing, and evaluating policies, programs, and services that affect the health of a community
• Engages community members to improve health in a community
• Advocates for policies, programs, and resources that improve health in a community (e.g., using evidence to demonstrate the need for a program, communicating the impact of a program)
• Applies public health sciences (e.g., biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health sciences, health services administration, social and behavioral sciences, and public health informatics) in the delivery of the 10 Essential Public Health Services
• Uses performance management systems for program and organizational improvement (e.g., achieving performance objectives and targets, increasing efficiency, refining processes, meeting Healthy People objectives, sustaining accreditation)
• Incorporates ethical standards of practice (e.g., Public Health Code of Ethics) into all interactions with individuals, organizations, and communities
• Collaborates with individuals and organizations in developing a vision for a healthy community (e.g., emphasis on prevention, health equity for all, excellence and innovation)
• Participates in professional development opportunities
• Modifies organizational practices in consideration of changes (e.g., social, political, economic, scientific)
• Contributes to continuous improvement of individual, program, and organizational performance (e.g., mentoring, monitoring progress, adjusting programs to achieve better results)
• Advocates for the role of public health in providing population health services

There are a wide variety of benefits available to Barron County employees. These benefits include: Wisconsin Retirement System; health, dental and life insurance; flexible spending account plans; deferred compensation programs, etc.
Barron County pays 87% of the total health insurance premiums for regular full-time employees. Health insurance takes effect the 1st of the month following 30 days of employment.
Benefits are pro-rated for regular employees working less than 40 hours per week. Regular positions working less than 30 hours per week are not eligible for benefits.