Speech Language Pathologist

FLSA Status: Exempt

Grade: U16 (Unified)

Revision Date: July 1, 2024

Location: Student Services

Job Summary

This position is responsible for helping to reduce or eliminate speech impediments that interfere with the individual student's ability to derive full benefit from the division's educational program. Position is responsible for providing speech/language services to meet the individual needs of students with oral communication and speech/language impairments. Position is responsible for screening and assessment; goal development; and planning/implementing appropriate speech and language treatment services to maximize student learning.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Serves as a resource to school staff members in the development of a balanced program for oral communication and speech improvement.
• Provides a therapeutic program to meet individual needs of speech handicapped children.
• Assists and guides teachers in observing, describing, and referring suspected and identified speech and language impairments.
• Provides a thorough assessment and diagnosis of speech, voice, and language impairments.
• Provides screening to identify speech-handicapped children at regular intervals and at specified levels.
• Assists in proper referrals of individuals to agencies and specialists in the community as appropriate.
• Provides appropriate individualized programs of therapy to meet individual students' needs and correct existing speech or language handicaps.
• Collaborates with classroom teachers and other school staff members to implement therapy by suggestions for the student's daily activities.
• Provides information, support, and counseling to parents and families when appropriate.
• Provides in-service education and serves as a consultant to teachers and school staff members on topics concerning speech improvement.
• Keeps a thorough ongoing record for the individual student receiving therapy or other school-provided speech services.
• Maintains lists of referred, screened, and eligible students, as well as a directory of outside agencies, consultants, specialists, and related services.
• Compiles case history data on those cases where additional family history, health history, early developmental history, and environmental history are deemed appropriate.
• Assumes primary responsibility for requisitioning and maintaining needed equipment and supplies.
• Prepares and administers the annual budget for speech therapy services.
• Models the WJCC Strategic Plan Values: Individualism, Integrity, Innovation, Accountability and Collaboration.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills and/or Abilities Required)

• Must possess a Master's degree in speech language pathology and meet the Virginia Department of Health Professions eligibility requirements. Must be eligible for, or in possession or an appropriate Virginia license. Certificate of Clinical Competence preferred.
• Some experience providing speech language therapy in a school-based setting preferred. Must possess a thorough knowledge and understanding of the principles, practices, and procedures of speech language therapy. Must possess a thorough knowledge of the normal development and use of speech, voice, fluency, and language; and the types, causes, and the treatments of speech disorders.
• Ability to evaluate the functional status of students; design treatment plans; and provide safe and effective therapy to students with speech/language impairments.
• Possess knowledge and skills in the augmentative communication devices and specialized equipment.
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal, communication, and recordkeeping skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff, parents, and the public.

Supervision Exercised

None.

Supervision Received

Performs duties under the supervision of the principal of the assigned school.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

Duties are normally performed in a school/classroom environment. Duties may be occasionally performed on field trips away from school. Meetings may be held before or after-school hours at times. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Must have the ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time; exhibit manual dexterity to dial a telephone, to enter data into a computer; to hear and understand speech at normal classroom levels, outdoors and on the telephone; speak in audible tones so that others may understand clearly in normal classrooms, outdoors and on the telephone; physical agility to lift up to 25 pounds; and to bend, to stoop, to sit on the floor, to climb stairs, to walk and to reach overhead.