Speech Language Pathologist

Speech-Language Pathologist

Reports To: Building Principal(s)/Assistant Superintendent

Qualifications: Minimum: Master's degree or higher in speech-language pathology from a college or university having a teacher education program approved by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education or from a college or university having a teacher education program approved by the state education agency in states other than Missouri; Certificated/License Speech-Language Pathologist with the State of Missouri.

Duties And Responsibilities: Utilizing leadership, advocacy, and collaboration, school-based speech-language pathologists provide prevention, assessment, and remediation services for students who exhibit difficulties in the areas of language, speech, voice, and fluency. These services are designed to help children meet their educational goals.

Performance Objectives:

1. Organizes a program that addresses local school speech-language goals. Contributes to the development of program guidelines as appropriate. Cooperates with local education agencies, community and/or state programs to affect comprehensive services.
2. Works cooperatively with school personnel to accomplish the goals and objectives of the local education agency. Attends meetings, such as faculty meetings, special education meetings, and parent-teacher conferences. Serves on committees, such as curriculum development committee, school-based committees, and/or speech-language program development meetings. Schedules interventions using a variety of service delivery models, including classroom intervention, consultation/collaboration, and pull-out as appropriate to meet student needs in the least restrictive environment. Applies a systematic workload model to facilitate the organization of the speech-language program within the school.
3. Coordinates speech-language services with student services provided by other school personnel. Collaborates with school personnel, such as teachers and psychologists, to best meet the needs of all students. Meets with related school personnel to coordinate specific objectives for individualized educational programs.
4. Maintains records of the speech-language program and prepares periodic reports as required. Keeps data for program planning and decision-making for students. Submits reports which meet local and state requirements. Maintains current files for use by authorized school personnel. Safeguards confidentiality of student records. Completes records for third-party reimbursement accurately and in a timely manner as appropriate.
5. Adheres to established rules, regulations, laws, and appropriate ethical standards. Provides services which hold the well-being of each student paramount. Guards against conflicts of professional interest. Demonstrates knowledge of federal, state, and local rules, regulations, and laws. Complies with established lines of authority within the parameters of professional standards.
6. Conducts speech, language, and hearing screenings. Serves on student intervention team/Individualized Education Program (IEP) team as appropriate. Works with other professionals to carry out the screening process. Uses appropriate screening instruments.
7. Administers formal and informal (ongoing & curriculum-based) assessments. Observes students in educational environments. Selects appropriate assessments based on individual student needs. Administers tests according to acceptable procedures.
8. Obtains additional diagnostic information from appropriate persons and available records for speech-language purposes. Obtains pertinent case history and data from other professionals and parents.
9. Analyzes and interprets information to make recommendations regarding the need for speech-language services. Integrates data from a variety of assessment techniques and sources. Determines the effects of the student's impairment in regard to accessing the general curriculum. Presents and explains data to IEP Team. Prepares evaluation summary.
10. Supervises speech implementers and paraprofessionals.

Terms Of Employment: Employment is on an annual basis. The Building Principal(s) and Assistant Superintendent will make employment recommendations in March of each year for the next fiscal year. The final decision is made by the Board of Education. Salary is based on the Certificated Salary Schedule adopted annually by the Board of Education.

Evaluation: An annual evaluation is conducted by the Building Principal(s) and Assistant Superintendent using the evaluation method adopted by the Board of Education.