Status: Temporary, Full-time (Contract ending January 31, 2027)
Location: St. Catharines, Ontario
Open Date: August 7, 2026
Who We Are
Niagara Children’s Centre is recognized throughout the Niagara Region as the provider of rehabilitation and support services to children and youth with physical, developmental and communicative delays and disabilities. Core services include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language services, augmentative and alternative communication, family services and therapeutic recreation. Our family-centred programs aim at helping each child achieve their own unique potential within their home, school and in the community.
As an employee of the Centre, you will be part of a community dedicated to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for the children and youth we serve. We are a place where families are at the heart of all we do. We continue to provide innovative ways of delivering high quality services and strengthening our family-centred care philosophy. We want to see “Niagara’s Children and Youth at Their Best!” Join a team that makes a real difference in the lives of children and youth every day.
The Role
The Speech-Language Pathologist works to assess, identify, and treat communication difficulties in children in conjunction with parents and other caregivers to enhance quality of life and participation. Communication difficulties may be in one or more of the following areas: language (understanding others and expressing themselves); speech (sound development); fluency; voice/resonance; hearing (aural habilitation); need for augmentative and alternative communication; and pragmatics.
As an employee of Niagara Children's Centre, the Speech Language Pathologist may be assigned to one or more services. These include inter, multi- or uni-disciplinary services, and specialized programs provided by the Centre such as Augmentative and Alternative Communication.
Key Responsibilities:
Responsibilities of the position include:
- Assessment: The Speech-Language Pathologist assesses a child to identify the presence or absence of communication difficulties/delays. Assessment includes the administration of appropriate standardized and non-standardized test materials, and analysis and interpretation of these tests. Child observations and caregiver interviews are also conducted. Assessment may take place at a variety of locations, such as the Centre, the child’s home, childcare setting, school, and other community settings as well as virtual through telepractice.
- Treatment Planning: On the basis of the assessment, the Speech-Language Pathologist collaborates with the child/family, teacher, school, relevant therapists, and other community partners who may be involved, to identify goals and to establish an appropriate treatment plan to achieve the goals.
- Intervention: The Speech-Language Pathologist provides intervention to achieve the goals outlined in the treatment plan and to maintain, develop or restore the child’s highest potential for communication. Intervention may be provided in various environments through a variety of service delivery options (e.g., individual, group, parent coaching, home programming) on a direct, indirect or consultative basis and either in a uni-disciplinary setting or as part of an inter-disciplinary team. The Speech-Language Pathologist is also responsible for providing education to families and the community, as well as engaging in promotional activities on behalf of the Centre.
- Supervision: The Speech-Language Pathologist may be requested to supervise Communicative Disorders Assistants (CDAs) as part of his/her regular workload and in doing so, must adhere to the policies established in the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO) position statement for Supportive Personnel. SLPs may also be requested to supervise SLP/CDA students or co-op students within their routine caseload management.
- Documentation: The Speech-Language Pathologist is responsible for daily/regular documentation within the Centre’s Client Information System in accordance with CASLPO guidelines (such as intervention notes, consultation notes, reports at assessment or transition/discharge, records of appointments)). In addition there may be documentation requirements such as internal and external referrals; funding application forms on behalf of families and correspondence with families and community partners.
- Education: Through conferences, lectures and other training the Speech-Language Pathologist will keep current in new approaches and research, particularly if assigned to a specialized clinic or role with emerging and changing knowledge and technology. SLPs may be designated by their Clinical Manager to provide specific interventions based on their clinical experience and additional training, such as providing caregiver-focused group education opportunities (e.g. Hanen groups), assessment/treatment of children within the Ontario Infant Hearing Program (Auditory-Verbal Therapy for children with identified permanent hearing loss), and caregiver-mediated therapy (e.g. Autism Navigator as per Ontario Autism Program).
Health and Safety
The Speech-Language Pathologist will comply with the duties assigned to Workers as per Section 28 of the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act
Accountability and Freedom to Act:
The incumbent has latitude for discretion within practices and procedures covered by precedents, Centre policy and procedure manuals, standards of the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario, and supervisory review.
Key Relationships:
The Speech-Language Pathologist is concerned with the effectiveness of all relationships that affect the Centre. The following are particularly significant to the position:
External
- Children, and their families and other caregivers
- Regulated professionals involved in the care of the child/family such as physicians, public health personnel, nurse practitioners
- Teachers and Educational Assistants in all school and child care systems
- Staff of Community partner agencies and programs
- Vendors and suppliers of equipment and services being considered for use by clients
- Staff at relevant government offices/branches that are responsible for approval and/or provision of client specific funding, services or equipment
- Case managers at HNHB Home and Community Care Support Services (if assigned to Acute Home Care)
Internal
- Staff at all levels in the organization
Performance Factors:
In assessing the performance of an incumbent in this position, the following factors will be utilized as appropriate:
- Workload and productivity relative to established standards
- Clinical outcomes – the degree to which care plans are well-designed and goals are achieved
- Documentation – the accuracy, relevance and timeliness
- Relationships and communication with clients and families, colleagues, staff from other agencies
Position Specifications:
Education:
The minimum specifications for an incumbent will include:
- Registration and member in good standing with the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario
Knowledge/Skills:
An incumbent will be expected to have the following knowledge and skills:
- A sound understanding and skill in the practice of Speech-Language Pathology
- The ability to work effectively with children and their families
- Sufficient computer literacy in Microsoft Office to complete work requirements
- The ability to complete assessment and provide intervention virtually via telepractice
Other:
- Access to reliable transportation and possession of a driver’s license valid for the province of Ontario is required
- A current criminal reference check for vulnerable populations
- CPR certification
- Evidence of non-violent crisis intervention training
Why Join Us?
- We provide a total rewards package that supports your well-being and supports and encourages continuous professional development and growth.
- Provide a competitive hiring range of $83,050.5 -$97,812 commensurate with experience.
- Participation in a Defined Benefit Pension Plan (HOOPP) from day one of employment with us, and access to the Employee and Family Assistance program.
- Employee wellbeing initiatives and programs
- Inclusive environment that allows everyone to feel welcomed and part of a dedicated team
Application Process
If you are inspired by the work of Niagara Children’s Centre and would like to join our team, we want to hear from you! To review the job description and pursue this career opportunity, please visit our website at www.niagarachildrenscentre.com
This posting is for an existing, immediate vacancy within our Clinical team. We will be reviewing candidate submissions as they are received and move forward with interviews. Early submission is encouraged.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools are not used to evaluate applications for this role. Your application will be reviewed directly by our hiring team.
Niagara Children’s Centre is committed to fair and accessible employment practices. Upon request, suitable accommodation is available under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act (AODA) to applicants invited to an interview.
We thank all those who apply but only those selected for further consideration will be contacted. The selected candidate will be required to participate in a Criminal Background Check.
Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Pay: $42.59-$50.16 per hour
Application question(s):
- Do you have a Post-secondary degree in Speech Language Pathology?
Licence/Certification:
- Registration with CASLPO (required)
Work Location: In person
