Status: Temporary, Full-time (contract ending
September 10, 2027)
Location:
St. Catharines, Ontario
Open
Date: June 10, 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 Communicative Disorders
Assistant (CDA) may provide communication and hearing screenings as well as
implement communication intervention programs individually and in groups based
on the goals outlined by the supervisor. The areas of treatment conducted by a
CDA include augmentative and alternative communication, receptive and
expressive language, articulation, phonology, fluency, voice, hearing, oral
rehabilitation, literacy and pragmatics. The role also includes preparation of
therapy materials to assist SLPs, planning of therapy sessions for clients on
the CDA caseload, assistance with program management and waitlist, as well as
promotional activities.
As an employee of Niagara
Children's Centre, a CDA may be assigned to one or more services. These include
single or interdisciplinary services, as well as specialized programs provided
by the Centre such as the Communication Assessment and Support Team, the Infant
Hearing Program, Entry to School, Preschool Language Service, School Based
Rehab Services and clinics such as alternative and augmentative communication
team.
Key Responsibilities:
- Screening: Administer
hearing screenings in conjunction with the Ministry of Children, Community
and Social Services Infant Hearing Program; administer speech screenings;
communication inventory or literacy screens
- Treatment planning: Prepare a child's intervention plan in order to
target the goals outlined by the SLP. This may include selecting
activities, creating, organizing and preparing materials, observing
assessments, researching communication information, therapy ideas or equipment
information, attending meetings, scheduling appointments and preparing
home programs.
- Intervention: carry out
intervention based on goals outlined by the supervisor and in conjunction
with the CASLPO position statement on Supportive Personnel (October 2007).
Service delivery models may include direct or group interventions, home
programs, or parent training sessions and may take place in a variety of
sites (home, schools, childcare, OEYCs, or satellite offices) and in
conjunction with our community partners. Creating and preparing customized
communication displays using graphic software.
- Reporting: Keep supervisor
and other team members informed regarding child's progress and performance
both orally and in written form. This includes reporting changes in
performance, medical changes, family situations or any other relevant
information which could impact the child's progress and therapy.
- Administration: Maintain and input information into relevant
databases. Assist in data management and completion and dissemination of
ministry forms for hearing screening outcomes.
- Record keeping: Make detailed daily progress notes of the
child's outcomes, maintain statistics charting in medical records, create
an up-to-date inventory and scheduling (contacting parents and setting up
appointments).
- Therapy Material and Equipment: Maintain order
and organize therapy materials and all therapy and screening equipment,
handle complaints when equipment is not in working order. Programming and
upkeep of augmentative communication equipment.
Health and Safety:
The Communicative
Disorders Assistant 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:
This
position is subject to standardized practices and procedures, general work
instructions, and supervision of progress and results. Program plans are prepared and implemented
under the supervision of a Speech-Language Pathologist. The position is also subject to Centre
policies and procedures and to the regulations of the College of Audiologists
and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario that limit clinical performance.
Key Relationships:
The
Communicative Disorders Assistant is concerned with the effectiveness of all
relationships that affect the Centre.
The following are particularly significant to the position:
External
- Children their families and caregivers
- Community partners
- Representatives and distributors of therapy
equipment and supplies
- Other augmentative communication clinics and
centralized equipment pool
Internal
- Clinical managers and clinical staff
- Immediate supervisor(s)
- Volunteers and students
Performance
Factors:
In assessing the performance of an incumbent in this
position, the following factors will be utilized as appropriate:
- Workload – the number of clients seen relative to
established standards
- Clinical outcomes – the degree to which therapy plans are
followed and goals achieved
- Documentation – the accuracy, relevance and timeliness of progress
notes, data entry and other documentation
- Relationships – the level of cooperation and collaboration
with clients and families, staff from other agencies, and other therapists at
the Centre
Position Specifications:
Education:
The minimum specifications for an incumbent will include:
- Graduation from a Communicative/Communication Disorders
Assistant program at a recognized college/university
Knowledge/Skills:
An
incumbent will be expected to have the following knowledge and skills:
- A
sound understanding and skill in the practice of Communication Disorders
- Sufficient
computer literacy skills. Extensive
computer literacy is required for some positions
- The
ability to work effectively with children
- The
ability to manage a caseload, particularly under multiple supervisors
- An
interest and commitment for serving children with special needs and their
families
- Knowledge
of community resources and supports
- Bilingualism is a requirement of the role (French)
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 $54,619.5 -$64,272 commensurate with experience.
- Participation in
a Defined Benefit Pension Plan (HOOPP) from day one of employment with us, we
offer healthcare and dental benefits, and access to the Employee and Family
Assistance program.
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.