Speech-Language Pathologist (Anticipated)

Speech-Language Pathologist

The Speech-Language Pathologist provides evaluation, consultation, and direct and indirect speech and language services to eligible students in accordance with federal and state requirements, District procedures, and each student's Individualized Education Program. The position supports students' communication skills so they can access instruction, participate meaningfully in school, and make progress in the educational setting.

Specific tasks and/or activities under each of the following responsibilities will be assigned by the Supervisor.

The Speech/Language Therapist has the responsibility to:

The Director of Special Education Provide individual and/or group speech/language therapy to students with expressive, receptive, and/or integrative communication disorders in articulation, fluency, voice, and language. Discuss and make recommendations for speech/language impaired students with school personnel, other professionals, and parents as necessary. Screen, assess, and evaluate students with suspected speech, language, voice, fluency, augmentative and alternative communication, or related communication needs. Prepare clear, comprehensive evaluation reports and participate in multidisciplinary evaluations and reevaluations within required timelines. Develop present levels, measurable annual goals, specially designed instruction, service recommendations, and progress-monitoring methods aligned with identified student needs. Provide direct and indirect services in individual, small-group, classroom, and consultative settings, as appropriate to the student's IEP. Monitor student progress, adjust interventions as needed, and communicate progress to parents and the IEP team in accordance with District procedures. Consult and collaborate with teachers, parents, administrators, school psychologists, nurses, and other related-service providers to support communication needs across school environments. Support the selection, implementation, and monitoring of augmentative and alternative communication systems and assistive technology, when appropriate. Participate actively in IEP meetings, team meetings, professional development, and other school-based activities as assigned. Maintain confidentiality and comply with IDEA, Section 504, FERPA, District policies, and applicable professional ethical standards. Participate in professional growth activities and provide information/expertise to increase public awareness of communication disorders. Serve on committees to plan, develop and implement procedures that would enhance service delivery models for speech/language programs. Perform other duties related to the position of the Speech-Language Pathologist as assigned by the Director of Special Education or designee.

Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology or Communication Sciences and Disorders.

Valid Pennsylvania Educational Specialist certificate in Speech and Language Impairment, or eligibility for appropriate Pennsylvania certification.

Knowledge of school-based speech and language assessment, intervention, progress monitoring, IEP development, and special education procedures.

Ability to speak clearly and concisely, both in oral and written communication Ability to model and support the development of strong oral and written communication skills in students.

Assessment and data interpretation: administering and interpreting standardized assessments, language samples, observations, and progress-monitoring data.

Clinical communication: explaining evaluation results and recommendations clearly to families, teachers, administrators, and IEP teams.

Cultural and linguistic responsiveness: distinguishing a language difference from a language disorder and supporting multilingual learners appropriately.

Professional writing: preparing clear, accurate evaluation reports, IEP present levels, goals, progress reports, and service recommendations.

Interpret assessment scores, including standard scores, percentiles, scaled scores, and age or grade equivalents.

Calculate service minutes, caseload information, and progress-monitoring rates.

Review and graph student progress data to identify growth, trends, or lack of progress.

Understand math-related language concepts that affect student performance, such as quantity, sequencing, time, spatial concepts, patterns, and problem-solving vocabulary.

Demonstrates strong problem-solving skills and adaptability when addressing challenges that require practical, flexible solutions.

Distinguish between a speech-language disorder, a language difference, developmental variation, and concerns better explained by another disability or factor.

Select appropriate assessment tools and determine when additional data are needed.

Develop measurable IEP goals and recommend services based on individual student needs, not diagnosis alone.

Adjust therapy approaches when a student is not making expected progress.

Apply professional judgment when determining whether services should be continued, changed, reduced, or discontinued.

Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies Must appropriately handle confidential information Ability to use a district-provided computer with the database, spreadsheet, and word-processing software Demonstrates strong organization and oversight in maintaining, inventorying, and ordering current testing materials and protocols to ensure accurate and compliant assessment practices.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff, and the school community The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation. The position requires regular work in school settings and may involve moving between classrooms, buildings, and service locations; communicating with students and adults; and using standard office and instructional technology.

Physical Demands: Must have the ability to: Sit and stand for extended periods Exhibit manual dexterity to use a phone, input data on a computer, to see and read a computer screen and printed material, with or without vision aids Speak in audible tones so that others may understand clearly at normal office levels and on the telephone Specific vision abilities required include close vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus Lift up to 25 pounds, and bend, stoop, climb stairs, and reach overhead

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

The Position Specifications described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Pursuant to the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable a qualified individual with a disability to perform essential job functions.

The information contained in this job description is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position.

Additional duties are performed by the individual currently holding this position, and additional duties may be assigned.

Employment is conditional upon the successful completion and submission of all federal, state, and local hiring regulations. Certificated staff is employed for the number of school year contractual days in accordance with the current Negotiations Agreement and with placement on the salary schedule of the bargaining agreement. Placement on the schedule is determined by education level and experience. Benefits are included according to Board policy and contract specifications. Full-time Salary and benefits will be in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement Position subject to applicable state and federal clearances and background checks The performance of the Speech-Language Pathologist will be evaluated annually by the Director of Special Education or designee, following District guidelines