Department Information

This position is open to current Colorado residents only. Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

Office of Adult, Aging and Disability Services - Wheat Ridge Regional Center

This work unit provides comprehensive services and support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This work unit’s focus is on providing services and supporting an active learning approach. The work unit is also focused on creating and promoting a safe and healthy environment for individuals supported. This work unit provides 24-hour treatment services that are in compliance with State and Federal regulations.

The Wheat Ridge Regional Center is looking to hire motivated, hard-working individuals to provide direct support services to individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Some of the individuals we serve have high medical needs, while others need significant support around behavioral and mental health needs. Once hired on, there are many opportunities for promotion and career growth.

Mission

Our mission is to offer people with disabilities the necessary supports in order to promote the personal values of individual growth, participation, contribution and capability.

Description of Job

As a Speech Pathologist, this position provides Speech Therapy support and services to Intellectually Disabled individuals with complex medical, behavioral, and mental health needs who reside at the Wheat Ridge Regional Center. Speech Therapist evaluates individuals’ receptive and expressive communication skills, cognitive skills, oral motor and swallowing function, and design and implements individualized active treatment so that each person attains their highest level of independence with regard to the skills assessed.

Additionally, as a Speech Language Pathologist you can expect to:

• Select appropriate assessment tools from standardized and non standardized tests for the Intellectually Disabled population to determine appropriate therapeutic intervention.
• Specifically, chooses from a variety of sources to complete appropriate assessments that best identify the needs of the individual.
• Assessments include receptive communication, expressive communication, social skills, cognition, oral motor and pharyngeal function, diet texture and liquid consistencies, adaptive eating equipment related to safe eating, positioning related to effective communication and oral input, the need for social stories for improved transitions, as well as supporting the need for audiological intervention.
• The position is researching assessments that are most current and relevant to this population.
• Assessments also include interview of familiar caregivers/family members and observation to ensure thorough evaluations of all activity of daily living needs.
• Tailors primary Speech Therapy theories and principles to develop different approaches and plans to meet the unique needs of the intellectually disabled, medically complex, behavioral challenged, and mental health impaired individuals at the Regional Center.
• Develops support programs or learning objectives to meet identified needs addressing health, safety and independence related to oral motor control and communication.
• These individualized programs and guidelines include developing specific objectives, design relevant data collection that tracks pertinent information, collect and analyze data and summarize information through progress summaries submitted to the Electronic Health Record.
• Provide initial foundational training in New Employee Orientation for safe eating and diet texture modification.
• Provide intensive training and role modeling to direct care staff for proper implementation of programs.
• Modifies/updates programs as needed for continued growth.
• Collaborates with Health Services; nurses and physicians to determine needs.
• Collaborates with Occupational Therapy and Dietary departments in the management of oral motor function, implementation of adaptive feeding equipment and positioning.
• This position performs monitoring of Speech Therapy adaptive equipment/communication devices for proper use, safety, wear and tear and independence.
• This includes oral motor and communication needs, routine needs, transition needs, and social skills needs.
• Stays up to date on all new and emerging technology that could benefit the individuals served.
• Attends department meetings, individual plan meetings, and interdisciplinary team meetings to ensure effective communication and coordination of services.
• Other meetings attended include Psychiatric and Neurology Clinics as needed.
• Assist with review and evaluation of incident reports on communication issues, routine needs, and swallowing issues.
• Recommend changes in equipment, techniques or training to improve outcome for safety and health.
• Relay pertinent information to appropriate parties.
• Develop specific objectives and programs, design appropriate data sheets, collect and analyze data, and summarize information.
• Documents progress of all programs and objectives in the Electronic Health Record.
• Determine needed revisions to flat-lined programs to assure further individual progress.
• This often necessitates developing creative and unique strategies to increase interest and participation in the program.
• Directly implements selected programs and active treatment plans.
• Provides ongoing consultation and/or supervision for staff who follow the written programs to ensure the identified needs and intent of the programs are met.
• These include but are not limited to participation in program peer review and department problem-solving sessions as assigned.
• Participates in committees as assigned to represent and advocate for the therapy department, create and maintain positive working relationships with community providers and families.
• Completes department projects related to agency objectives.
• Completes agency-required training to stay up to date on all Agency policies and procedures as assigned.
• Meets with outside organizations/vendors as needed to advance the agency mission.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Special Qualifications:

Speech Language Pathologist Colorado licensure in good standing. Speech Therapist maintains an ASHA certification and state license (DORA) to practice.

Minimum Qualifications:

Current, valid licensure with Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) to practice Speech and Language Therapy. ~AND~ TWO (2) years of experience in an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position.

Substitutions:

None

Conditions of Employment:

CDHS employees (all Direct contact with vulnerable persons): CBI name check and fingerprint check, ICON Colorado court database, Medicare fraud database, Reference Checks, Professional License verification (licensure requirements), Drug Screen, PREA (Division of Youth Services), Trails check (direct contact with children), CAPS (direct contact with adults – Mental Health Institutes, Regional Centers, Veterans Community Living Centers).

MOTOR VEHICLE RECORD CHECK: This position will drive a state fleet or non-state fleet vehicle for State business purposes. Motor Vehicle Check, if the employee will drive a state-owned vehicle, either in an on-going capacity while performing their normal day-to-day job duties OR on occasion for training/meetings/client visits/etc.

Out-of-State Driver’s License holders must obtain a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver’s License within 30 days of employment start date.

Travel:

Position requires travel between remote worksites. Must utilize state fleet vehicle, if available. If not, must utilize personal vehicle and request mileage reimbursement.

Other:

TB Testing, Influenza and other vaccines as required by the State of CO.

Pre-employment Physical/Tests:

must demonstrate the ability to lift 50 lbs, bend, squat, etc. and perform approved physical interventions proficiently (pre-employment and continuously throughout employment).

Ongoing Functional Capacity Testing.

Shift Work:

WRRC is a 24/7 facility, therefore person in this position must be available to monitor and train on any shift, any day and/or any area, to meet agency/resident needs.

Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must:

Disclose that information on the application. Explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify you from the current position. Provide your employee number from your prior State employment. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination and failure to provide this information will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.

CDHS Selection Process Explanation

Employment history is calculated on a full-time basis (40/hrs per week). Part-time employment is calculated on a prorated basis to determine qualifications. Be sure your application specifically addresses your qualifications, experience, work products, and accomplishments as they relate to the position and minimum requirements.

Preferred Qualifications & Competencies:

Relevant years of state service experience.

Minimum Qualification Screening Process

A Human Resources Analyst will review the work experience/job duties sections of the online job application to determine whether your experience meets the minimum qualifications for the position. You must complete the official State of Colorado online application. Cover letters and resumes WILL NOT be reviewed during the minimum qualifications screening process. You must specifically document your work experience and qualifications in the application form. Do not use "see resume" or "see attached." You must meet the minimum qualifications to continue in the selection process. Part-time work experience will be prorated.

Comparative Analysis Process – Structured Application Review

After minimum qualification screening, the comparative analysis process will involve reviewing and rating of all the information you submit. The comparative analysis step may also include your results from standardized testing.

Your Work Experience/Job Duties

Document your work experience/job duties to the extent to which you possess the skills, education, experience, minimum qualifications, and preferred qualifications. If listed, answer all supplemental questions as your answers to these questions will be evaluated during this phase. Provide at least 4-8 sentences for each supplemental question.

Supplemental Questions

Answer the supplemental questions completely and thoughtfully. We will rate your answers based on the content of your response and your writing skills (spelling, grammar, and clarity of your writing).

Appeal Rights

You may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director if your application is eliminated. You will find the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it on the State Personnel Board website. You or your representative must sign and submit the official appeal form for review. You can find the official appeal form here. You must be deliver the official appeal form to the State Personnel Board: By email (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), or Postmarked in US Mail to(1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203, or Hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or Faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department’s action. Contact the State Personnel Board for assistance: At (303) 866-3300, or Refer to the Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, within the Rules webpage.

Supplemental Information

How to apply to the State of Colorado (Youtube Video, Runtime 3:59, Closed Captions Available).

The Assessment Process

About Us & Benefits

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, join the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS). Our professionals strive to design and deliver high quality human and health services that improve the safety, independence, and well-being of the people of Colorado. Each of us is committed to contributing to a safe and accessible CDHS.

In addition to a great location and rewarding and meaningful work, we offer:

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401(k) and 457 plans.
• Medical and dental health plans.
• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account.
• Paid life insurance.
• Short- and long-term disability coverage.
• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave.
• State of Colorado Employee BenefitHub Resource Center.
• Employee Wellness program.
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more.
• Remote work arrangements for eligible positions.
• *Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Our Values

We believe in a people-first approach: We prioritize the needs, well-being, and dignity of the individuals, families and communities we serve. We commit to respect, fairness and access in every decision, policy and interaction. We engage client voices and experiences in the development and implementation of the services we provide. Balance creates quality of life: We want our team to be resilient through a supportive workplace that values flexibility, health and wellness, and employee engagement. We hold ourselves accountable: We take responsibility through our actions, programs, and results for the state of health and human services in Colorado. Transparency matters: We are open and honest with employees, our partners, the Coloradans we serve, and the public. We are ethical: We abide by what is best for those we serve by doing what is right, not what is easy. Collaboration helps us rise together: We work together with all partners, employees, and clients to achieve the best outcomes for Coloradans.

ADA Accommodations

CDHS is committed to a Colorado for ALL qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment. This includes completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to cdhs_ada@state.co.us.

EEO Statement

The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to increasing a “Colorado for ALL" of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities. The State of Colorado believes that a “Colorado for ALL” drives our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

Additional Support For Your Application

Toll Free Applicant Technical Support: If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV technical support at 855-524-5627 Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time). Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application 1) ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files and 2) close the document before you attempt to upload (attach) it.