Speech and Language Therapist at Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS)

Job Description/Requirements

The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is an international Catholic organization with a mission to accompany, serve, and advocate on behalf of refugees and other forcibly displaced persons, that they may heal, learn, and determine their own future. Founded in November 1980 as a work of the Society of Jesus, JRS was officially registered on 19 March 2000 in Vatican City as a foundation.

JRS is present in over 50 countries worldwide, providing assistance to almost 680,000 individuals. The work is overseen by 10 regional offices with support from the International Office in Rome. In Kenya, JRS has two projects an urban refugee project in Nairobi focusing on Education and Livelihoods and field project in Kakuma Refugee Camp focusing on Education, Integrated psychosocial inclusive Education programme in Centers and Safe Shelters.

JRS is seeking to recruit a suitable candidate for the position of Speech and language Therapist (SALT).As part of the JRS Inclusive Education Department in Kakuma, the Speech and Language Therapy is part of a Multidisciplinary Therapy Team at the JRS Inclusive Education centres. Duties include the delivery of therapy intervention ensuring that the speech, language and communication programmes are integral to the pupils’ educational and developmental programme.

Main Duties and Responsibilities Clinical

• Responsible for delivery of specialist speech and language therapy services at JRS inclusive Education centres including assessment, diagnosis and therapy .
• To provide specialist intervention demonstrating clinical effectiveness by the use of evidence based practice and outcome measures while being able to adapt practices to meet individual pupils’ need.
• To provide specialist therapy services utilizing a variety of service delivery models including individual, joint, multidisciplinary, group and teacher directed sessions.
• To use specialist knowledge of standardized assessment and other assessment tools in combination with advanced reasoning skills to record baseline measures and/or differential diagnoses.
• Management of a highly complex and demanding caseload of children with physical disabilities, severe or profound learning difficulties and complex needs
• To carry out assessment of individual children within the Inclusive Education program in relation to communication need using assessment tools as required by the individual, making use of senior support as required.
• To develop and implement speech and language programmes for individual and groups using expertise to create innovative and effective ways of working where appropriate to maximise individual students’ potential.
• To provide speech and language targets for integration into the educational curriculum as part of each students’ IEP in consultation with parents, teachers and other multidisciplinary staff.
• To plan implement and evaluate joint sessions with members of the multidisciplinary team, incorporating speech and language therapy targets.
• To attend and participate in regular multidisciplinary team and symbols meetings.
• To regularly monitor and review the children's ongoing communication needs.
• To liaise closely with all staff to support implementation of appropriate communication strategies on a daily basis.
• Top actively support other staff members when they identify the communication needs of students by brainstorming, supporting and implementing possible solutions.

PROFESSIONAL DUTIES

• To deliver all aspects of speech and language therapy intervention according to relevant evident based practices.
• To provide reports to contribute to the students’ annual reviews.
• To maintain records of invention according to professional standards
• To maintain professional status and competence at a specialist level, taking responsibility for keeping own knowledge and skills up to date by engaging in continuing professional development.
• Develop training programmes e.g. Picture Communication Exchange System, Eye Gaze and take responsibility to contribute to the training of others including staff and parents.
• To manage the emotional consequences of working with children with physical disabilities and complex needs and be aware of the needs, demands and pressures on their families.
• To have knowledge of and work within the framework of relevant procedures including Safeguarding/Child Protection etc.
• To demonstrate knowledge of and adhere to professional and clinical guidelines. To represent the JRS at multi agency meetings where appropriate

EDUCATIONAL DUTIES

• To contribute to planning and delivering of training (both formal and informal) to parents, teachers and other school staff in speech, language and communication disorders related to children with physical and complex disabilities.
• To participate in the induction of new staff members to the Inclusive Education department.
• To work closely with the teaching team and other therapists to agree on and implement the use of new symbols and approaches in the school and to construct/adapt appropriate communication resources for various curriculum and play activities during the day.
• Assessment, management and provision of individual children’s communication aids/mounting systems/PODD books/vocabulary including determining appropriateness of new equipment/symbols and resources.
• To agree with the therapy team and ensure the consistency of symbols used throughout the school and to advise staff on symbols and resources.

RESEARCH DUTIES

• To maintain an up to date knowledge of new techniques and development within the field of speech and language development and appraise and implement new interventions as propriate.
• To engage in reporting on clinical practice, evidence based practice and research in order to improve services to pupils.
• To participate in research projects and to collect and provide research data as appropriate

ORGANISATIONAL DUTIES

• To organise own caseload balancing case management, team responsibilities and time allocation towards school, professional and personal objectives.
• To be flexible to the demands of the environment including unpredictable events, deadlines and frequent interruptions.
• To monitor own resource levels and requirements in own areas and source and request new equipment and resources as appropriate.
• To attend and participate in meetings including Annual Reviews, school, multidisciplinary, staff and SLT.
• To attend any mandatory training and induction courses as requested by the Inclusive Education coordinator .
• To contribute to developing new policies for the school.
• To be responsible for security, care and maintenance of SLT equipment including switches, toys, IT and communication aids and reporting maintenance issues efficiently and quickly.

OTHER DUTIES

Any other duties as may be reasonably required.

Professional Qualification

• Sc. or Master’s degree in Speech Therapy or Speech-language Pathology
• Relevant license and certification
• Experience with certain disorders and age groups may be required
• Sound understanding of speech-related disorders and treatments.
• Familiarity with basic computer software.
• Excellent relationship-building skills.
• Possession of valid annual practicing license.
• Good communication skills, honest, good interpersonal skills.Skills and competencies:
• Computer literacy a must: excellent working knowledge with MS WORD, POWER POINT, ACCESS and EXCEL
• Good knowledge of human rights (UN-convention on rights of Pwds.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Relevant Experience:

• 2 years Minimal Practical Experience. Experience gained working with an International Humanitarian NGO will be an added advantage.
• Previous work experience in hardship, marginalized areas or emergency setting
• Experience conducting assessments and coordinating placement at EARC centres, SNE units is a plus advantage.
• Working experience in rehabilitation/inclusion of children with disabilities is an added-advantage.
• Proficiency in English and Kiswahili language both written and spoken.

Personal Attributes:

• High level of motivation, integrity, commitment and professional responsibility.
• Ability to tolerate cultural, educational and religious diversity in the work place
• Excellent communication, time management, organization and presentation skills.
• A good team player with high degree of initiative, flexibility and tolerance