Speech Language Pathologist

The International Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health is seeking a Speech Language Pathologist . The Speech Language Pathologist serves as a critical clinical and operational leader for the Language is Medicine randomized clinical trial, an NIH-funded intervention focused on strengthening caregiver-child communication and preventing developmental delay in Din toddlers. This position requires a master's degree (M.A.) in Speech-Language Pathology and substantial experience in clinical supervision, developmental assessment, and coordination. On top of this clinical expertise, this position will bridge scientific rigor with community accountability by supporting fidelity to the research protocol while ensuring that all study activities uphold tribal data sovereignty, cultural safety, and Nation-specific governance requirements. Because this study is being implemented on the Navajo Nation, on-site presence is essential to maintain relationships with families, home visitors, and tribal partners, as well as to ensure adherence to community-based protocols.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Clinical Trial Coordination and Oversight

• Manage day-to-day operations of the multi-site clinical trial, ensuring alignment with NIH, Johns Hopkins, and tribal IRB-approved protocols.
• Oversee recruitment, consent, and assessment procedures to ensure cultural responsiveness and adherence to ethical guidelines.
• Supervise data collection teams and home visitors to ensure treatment fidelity, behavioral coding accuracy, and adherence to the Data and Safety Monitoring Plan (DSMP).
  Maintain regulatory compliance and reporting requirements, including timely updates, annual RPPRs, and data safety monitoring submissions.

Clinical and Speech-Language Pathology Leadership

• Serve as an on-site speech-language pathologist, in addition to the PI, overseeing developmental screening, language sampling, and coaching fidelity among interventionists.
• Conduct or supervise structured language assessments and caregiver coaching consistent with the intervention manual.
• Provide training and clinical feedback to field staff on language development milestones, culturally grounded communication strategies, and early identification of developmental concerns.
  Ensure that study procedures are consistent with professional standards for speech-language pathology practice and within the scope of the Navajo Nation's provider credentialing requirements.

Tribal and Community Engagement

• Serve as the primary liaison between the research team and Navajo Nation partners, ensuring transparent communication and mutual decision-making.
• Coordinate all tribal IRB submissions, renewals, and amendments in compliance with tribal research codes and sovereignty laws.
• Implement and uphold the Tribal Data Sovereignty and Data Management and Sharing Plan, ensuring that data access, storage, and reporting honor tribal governance and local protocols.
• Lead community feedback loops, including presentations to Chapter Houses, school partners, and Community Advisory Boards (CABs).
  Ensure that all dissemination materials and data summaries are approved by the Navajo Nation Human Research Review Board (NNHRRB) prior to release.

Training, Mentorship, and Capacity Building

• Train and mentor local staff in culturally adapted developmental observation, speech-language milestones, and family-centered interviewing techniques.
• Develop bilingual (Navajo/English) tools and resources for caregivers and paraprofessionals.
  Support community workforce development by co-designing professional learning opportunities for early childhood and health staff.

Project and Fiscal Management

• Track study budgets, field expenditures, and procurement of testing materials.
• Contribute to contract and subaward coordination with local service providers and partner organizations.
  Prepare operational reports, fidelity summaries, and community update briefs for the PI and funding agency.

Performance Indicators

• Timely completion of all IRB submissions (Johns Hopkins and NNHRRB).
• 90% participant retention and fidelity compliance across intervention sessions.
• Maintenance of culturally responsive and clinically accurate data collection.
  Positive evaluation from tribal partners and community advisory boards regarding project transparency and benefit.

Additional Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated expertise in conducting and supervising developmental and language assessments.
• Strong knowledge of clinical trial coordination, IRB processes, and human subjects protection.
  Ability to work on-site across Navajo Nation communities (travel required; flexible scheduling to align with community needs).

Relational Accountability

Demonstrates respect for community protocols and upholds Navajo values of trust, reciprocity, and responsibility.

Cultural and Clinical Integration

Balances scientific integrity with culturally grounded clinical practice.

Regulatory and Ethical Acumen

Applies NIH, Johns Hopkins, and tribal IRB standards consistently.

Leadership and Mentorship

Guides and empowers local staff, ensuring skill