Speech Language Pathologist (SLP)

Behavioral Health Allies•Kansas City, MO

7d•Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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).
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

Nice To Haves

ASHA CCC-SLP preferred.
Understanding of ABA principles and behavior management strategies preferred.
school experience strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.