26-27 SY Educational Diagnostician

Job Title: Educational Diagnostician

Supervisor: Director of Special Education or Designee

Salary Schedule: Ancillary

Terms of Employment: 200 Day

Job Summary:

Implement the special education evaluation process. Assess the educational, learning styles, and program needs of students referred to special education services. Provide diagnostic evaluations and interpret information to provide the most appropriate programs for students with disabilities.

Qualifications

1. Master Degree in Educational Diagnosis, Special Education Guidance & Counseling, Educational Psychology, or other Approved fields such as Speech Pathology, Remedial Reading, etc.

2. Two (2) years of teaching or equivalent experience with exceptional children (as evaluated and approved by the State Department of Education).

3. Licensure in Special Education or Guidance & Counseling.

4. Current Educational Diagnostician license issued by the New Mexico State Department of Education.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Evaluation

• Receive student referrals and implement the assessment and evaluation process within federal and state timelines.
• Select and administer formal and informal assessments to determine student eligibility for special education services according to federal and state regulations. Adhere to assessment timelines as set forth by federal and state regulations.
• Produce clear, understandable, and comprehensive written evaluation reports that include all components of a psycho-educational evaluation. Consider linguistic, ethnic, and cultural diversity during the course of the evaluation and appropriately documents such within the context of the evaluation report.
• Collect and organize relevant assessment data from student''s cumulative folder, classroom teachers(s), principal, support staff, parents, and outside resource people.
• Conduct classroom observation and personal interviews.
• Coordinate and participate in the Eligibility Determination Team (EDT) to assist with interpretation of assessment data, appropriate placement, and development of Individual Education Plans (IEP) for students according to district procedures.
• Coordinate and complete all required triennial reevaluations and review of existing evaluation data (REED) in accordance with IDEA and state regulations.
• Participate in transition planning and evaluations for preschool-aged students referred through early intervention programs.
• Collaborate with related service providers and multidisciplinary teams to determine the need for assistive technology and specialized supports.
• Ensure assessments are conducted in the student''s dominant language and in a culturally and linguistically responsive manner, utilizing qualified interpreters and bilingual personnel as appropriate.

Consultation

• Provide staff development training in assigned schools to assist school personnel in identification and understanding of students with disabilities.
• Consult with other professionals when in doubt with assessment findings.
• Assist classroom teachers with implementation of IEP.
• Consult parents concerning the educational needs of students and interpretation of assessment data.
• Consult parents, teachers, administrators, and other relevant individuals to enhance their work with students.

Program Management

• Accepts ultimate responsibility for IEP compliance at each assigned campus and, with the knowledge and approval of the Director of Special Education, takes whatever actions are necessary and appropriate to address and correct the compliance issues.
• Become competent using the district''s evaluation report writer system; Write and archive all evaluation reports using this system.
• Develop and maintain effective individual and group relationships with students and parents.
• Assist in the selection of assessment materials and equipment.
• Develop and coordinate a continuing evaluation of the assessment program and make changes based on findings.
• Protect confidentially of all information obtained during student evaluations.
• Comply with policies established by federal and state law, State Board of Education rule, and local policy in the areas of assessment, placement, and planning for special education services.
• Comply with all district and local campus routines and regulations.
• Maintain an inventory of assessment and other related materials checked out to the educational diagnostician.
• Participate in professional development opportunities addressing current research, professional development, and practice. Attend monthly diagnostician meetings as well as special education department meetings and/or trainings.
• Complete required documentation to support Medicaid reimbursement processes related to evaluation services.
• Assist the district in fulfilling Child Find obligations by supporting the identification, location, and evaluation of students suspected of having disabilities.
• Participate in manifestation determination meetings and provide assessment information to assist teams in making educational decisions.
• Prioritize and coordinate assessment activities across multiple campuses to address district needs effectively.

Communication

• Maintain a positive and effective relationship with supervisors.
• Effectively communicate with colleagues, students, and parents

Other duties as assigned

Note: This is not an exhaustive or all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, functions or working conditions associated with the job. This job description is not a contract of employment or a promise or guarantee of any specific terms or conditions of employment. The school district may add to, modify or delete any aspect of this job (or the position itself) at any time as it deems advisable.

Machines, Tools, and Equipment

Must know how to properly operate, or be willing to learn to operate, multi-media equipment including current t technology as needed. (Various machines and equipment including but not limited to computer, iPad, printer, scanner, copier, etc.)

Safety and Health

Knowledge of universal hygiene precaution (blood borne pathogens, body fluids, etc.)

Worker Traits and Aptitudes

§ Adaptability to perform required tasks in a complex office operation with multiple demands from several sources.

§ Requires the ability to read a variety of correspondence, reports, forms, statements, etc.

§ Requires the ability to prepare correspondence, reports, forms, evaluations, statements, etc. using prescribed formats.

§ Requires the ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagrammatic form.

§ Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical or professional languages including insurance, personnel, and governmental terminology.

§ Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress and when confronted with emergency situations.

Physical Requirements

Walking, standing, sitting, bending, kneeling, and squatting, climbing stairs, speaking and listening, reaching with hands and arms, having full mobility of fingers/hands to finger, handle or feel, close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus, carrying, lifting, and moving up to 25 pounds and/or moving light furniture may be required.

Reasonable (ADA) accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions if mutually agreed on and if those accommodations do not create an undue hardship upon the district.

Working Conditions

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

1. Maintain emotional control under stress, work with frequent interruptions.

2. Some districtwide and statewide travel.

3. Occasional and prolonged and irregular working hours.

Work Environment

Must be able to work within various degrees of noise and temperature. Interruptions of work are routine. Flexibility and patience are required. Must be self-motivated and able to complete job assignments without direct supervision. After hour work may be required. May make site visits as needed. May work under stressful conditions on occasion.

Terms of Employment

Salary and work year according to current schedule

Evaluation

Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board of Education's policy on evaluation of administrative personnel.