SLPA

Primary Purpose:

Provide speech-language pathology services to students with speech, voice, or language disorders under the direction of a licensed supervisor. Provide therapeutic intervention to eliminate or reduce problems or impairments that interfere with their students' ability to derive full benefit from the educational program.

Qualifications:

Education/Certification:

Bachelor's degree in speech-language pathology from an accredited college or university

Valid Texas license as an assistant in speech-language pathology granted by the State Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (SBESLPA)

Special Knowledge/Skills:

Knowledge of evaluation, habilitation, and rehabilitation of speech-language disorders and conditions

Ability to instruct and manage student behavior

Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills

Experience:

Minimum of 50 hours observation and direct clinical as directed by the assistant in speech language pathology license

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

Therapy

• Plan and provide appropriate individual and group therapy to students consistent with speech and language goals contained in Individual Education Plans (IEP).
• Monitor student progress and determine readiness for termination of therapy services.

Assessment

• Administer routine evaluation instruments as directed by supervisor when the licensed supervisor has assured proper training of such instruments.

Consultation

• Counsel and involve parents in remedial process.
• Collaborate with classroom teachers to plan and implement classroom activities to improve communication skills of students.
• Provide professional development in assigned schools to help school personnel identify and understand communication deficits in students.
• Communicate effectively with colleagues, students, and parents regarding the accomplishment of therapy goals and needs of the student.

Student Management

• Create an environment conducive to learning and appropriate for the maturity level and interests of students.
• Establish control and administer discipline according to the Student Code of Conduct and student handbook.

Program Management

• Develop and coordinate a continuing evaluation of speech-language pathology services and make changes based on the findings.
• Assist in the selection of equipment and instructional materials.

Administration

• Compile, maintain, and file all physical and computerized reports, records, and other required documents.
• Comply with policies established by federal and state laws, State Board of Education rule, and board policy.
• Comply with all district and campus routines and regulations.
• Participate in professional development activities to improve skills related to job assignment.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

Working Conditions:

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

Maintain emotional control under stress. Regular districtwide travel to multiple work locations as assigned; moderate lifting and carrying. May be required to lift and transfer students to and from wheelchair or assist with positioning students with physical disabilities. Exposure to biological hazards.

Supervisors of licensed speech-language assistants must be licensed by SBESLPA as speech-language pathologists. A person with a TEA certificate who is not licensed may not be a supervisor of a licensed speech-language pathology assistant.