At Play Awhile, we believe in PLAY as a mindset. Using the emotional connections naturally derived from child-led play, we empower the entire family to take their role in the developmental journey. We take a strengths-based approach to engaging therapies and groups. By learning to laugh, people of all ages and abilities can laugh to learn. 

We are seeking a full-time, speech–language pathologist. This is a hybrid position with approximately 80% of your week spent in a preschool setting, and 20% spent in our beautiful Livonia clinic. As we build up your clinic-based caseload, this would shift to approximately 60% preschool and 40% clinic.

Guaranteed Hours

New graduates: $57,000 starting for CFs, increasing to $59,000 upon receipt of your CCCs

Seasoned clinicians: Starting salary up to $65,000 depending on years of experience

Sign on bonus of $5,000 split between first paycheck and June 2026

Annual Raise (3% or greater) 

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance 

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance 

Short Term Disability Insurance

401K with matching (up to 3.5%) 

Caseload maximum below state maximum (43 max)* 

*If you wish to work an extra day in the schools for a salary bump, that may be negotiated. 

32 hours per week September–June, 24 hours per week in July and August

Example School year schedule: 

-Monday 9:00–4:00

-Tuesday 9:00–7:00*

-Wednesday 9:00–5:00

-Thursday 9:00–4:00

-Friday Off

* Clinicians are expected to work one late night to accommodate after-school appointments in the clinic. You may choose which day of the week you work late. Currently, any day except Wednesday is an option.

Example Summer Schedule: 

-Monday Off

-Tuesday 9:00–7:00

-Wednesday 9:00–5:00

-Thursday 9:00–3:00

-Friday Off

None

8 PAID weeks off per year (split into 4 two-week breaks the last week and the first week of each quarter)

Starting bank of 12 hours PTO as well as accrued PTO (1 hour for every 26 hours worked)

You may use your PTO any time without repercussions or denials. 

Reduced summer hours without a paycheck reduction for those months (32 hours during the school year, 24 hours during July and August)

We believe that rested clinicians are effective clinicians. Therefore, we shut down the practice for the last

week and first week of each quarter, along with certain holidays. The 2026 calendar is as follows:

Winter Break 2025: December 20–January 4

Spring Break 2026: March 23–April 3

Summer Break 2026: June 22–July 3

Fall Break 2026: September 28–October 9

Memorial Day: May 25, 2026

Labor Day: September 7, 2026

Halloween: October 31, 2026

Thanksgiving: November 25-27, 2026

No. When cancellations occur, our practice manager attempts to reschedule them. If clinicians have a gap in their schedule, we ask that they attempt to lend a hand in general clinic operations (i.e., washing mouthed toys, laminating or creating materials, etc.). For every day worked there is one hour set aside for lunch and one hour set aside for paperwork. On the late day, 2 hours are set aside for paperwork. 

Yes. The maximum caseload for this role is 43. At the beginning, it will be about 80% preschool and 20% clinic. By September 2026, it will be more balanced with about 60% school and 40% clinic. 

The ideal candidate will have a passion for neurodiversity-affirming and play-based therapy. Play Awhile therapists should have the willingness to learn from the populations we serve, and adjust therapy approaches when necessary to avoid ableism and/or harm to our clients. Since we specialize in early childhood, candidates should demonstrate excitement for early childhood development, particularly ages 18 months through 7 years. Knowledge of or willingness to learn about AAC is ideal. 

State licenses: Michigan

CCCs required: No

Other required qualifications: Clean background check

No

Accepts CFs? Yes

% of SLPs in company who are CFs: 0%

CF supervision provided: Yes

Training program: We highly encourage clinical fellows to apply! 

The training is as follows: 

First week on the job: learn our systems, philosophies, and procedures

Second week on the job: shadow our SLPs, establish contact with your preschool caseload, make a schedule

Third week on the job: begin seeing your caseload preschool caseload

Clinical fellowship supervision is provided by Olivia Rhoades, MA, CCC-SLP, owner of the practice. 

Once per month: 1:1 meeting with CF supervisor 

Once per month: CF supervisor observes a session 

We also have a Director of Clinical Services. She is truly a master clinician and holds weekly office hours during which SLPs can approach clinical questions in a supportive, collaborative setting.