Speech Language Pathologist

Job Title: Speech -Language Pathologist

Wage/Hour Status: Exempt

Department: Special Education and Assigned Campus (es)

Reports To: Campus (es) Assigned

Approved By: Board of Trustees

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SUMMARY:

Plan and provide speech-language pathology services to students with speech, voice, or language disorders. Assess students and 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:

Master''s degree in speech-language pathology; OR

Bachelor''s degree

EXPERIENCE:

One year of supervised clinical speech language pathology experience

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

Valid Texas license as a speech-language pathologist granted by the State Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (SBESLPA); OR

Valid Texas Education Agency speech therapy certificate

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to use the accepted tests and measurements to assess communication disorders and conditions
• 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
• Ability to travel to multiple work locations as assigned
• Ability to plan and implement lessons based on division and school objectives and the needs and abilities of students to whom assigned
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, peers, parents and community
• Ability to speak clearly and concisely in written and oral communication

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Therapy

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

Assessment

• Conduct independent evaluations to assess students with speech or language disorders and conditions to determine eligibility for services.
• Develop clinical management strategies or procedures and diagnostic statements by interpreting observations or data.
• Participate in the Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) Committee to assist in interpretation of assessment data, appropriate placement, and goal setting for students with communication disorders or conditions according to district procedures.

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

• May supervise licensed speech-language pathology assistant(s) or speech aide(s).*
• 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 reports, records, and other required documents.
• Comply with policies established by federal and state laws, State Board of Education rule, and local board policy.
• Comply with all district and campus routines and regulations.
• Participate in professional development activities to improve skills related to job assignment.

Other

• Maintain confidentiality.
• Participate in staff development training programs to improve job performance.
• Participate in meetings and special events as assigned.
• Exercise professional judgment in absences; be punctual to work, meetings, and appointments.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

May direct and monitor the work of speech-language pathology assistant(s) or speech aide(s).*

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read and analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of administrators, board of trustees, staff, students, parents, and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to apply mathematical skills such as concepts of basic math, algebra and geometry. Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference and volume.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Occasional absences are understood but regular attendance is required.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to run, stoop and kneel. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally may visit students'' homes. Employee may be required to lift and transfer students to and from wheelchair or assist with positioning students with physical Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Frequent district-wide travel is required.

The employee must maintain emotional control under stress.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud and is a standard acceptable level for this environment.

• 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.