Speech/Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA)

Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant

Grade 117 - Placement Range: $24.50 to $28.01

As a condition of employment, all new hires must obtain and maintain a valid Level One IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card issued by the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS).

Job Summary:

The Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant (SLPA) is responsible for providing an appropriate program of therapy for children with communication disorders. The Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant will be responsible to the Director, the Principal, the Program Coordinator, and the assigned/supervising Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP).

Essential Functions:

• Conducts speech-language screenings without interpretation, using screening protocols specified by the supervising speech-language pathologist.
• Provides direct therapy for students identified by the supervising speech-language pathologist by following written therapy plans and IEPs developed by the supervising speech-language pathologist.
• Assists the supervising speech-language pathologist in establishing appropriate therapy goals.
• Documents student progress toward goals and objectives without interpretation of the findings and reports this information to the supervising speech-language pathologist.
• Assists the speech-language pathologist in the collecting and tallying of data for assessment purposes, without interpretation of the data.
• Act as a second language interpreter during assessments, when appropriate.
• Assists with clerical duties and departmental operations such as preparing materials and scheduling activities as directed by the supervising speech-language pathologist.
• Schedules activities and prepares charts, records, graphs, or other displays of data.
• Performs checks and maintenance of equipment.
• Participates with the supervising speech-language pathologist in in-service trainings.
• Signs and initials treatment/therapy notes for review and co-signature by the supervising speech-language pathologist.
• Maintains coordination between general curriculum areas and therapy activities.
• Maintains accurate and current student files.
• Effectively utilizes district technologies appropriate to the position and assumes responsibility for attending district training needed to successfully perform designated responsibilities as directed by the supervisor.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to communicate effectively with all team members.
• Possesses content-area knowledge and skills to appropriately implement therapy programs, including selecting appropriate strategies and materials.
• Understands the impact of communication disorders on educational performance.
• Has a working knowledge of disabilities such as learning disabilities, mental retardation, autism, and motor disorders and how they may impact communication skills.
• Ability to document student progress and responses effectively so as to enable the supervising speech-language pathologist to modify therapy goals, as needed.
• Ability to relate to pre-school and school-aged students.
• Ability to write basic reports and general correspondence.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions.
• Exhibits leadership skills and fosters good working relationships among the department.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Must hold a valid Speech and Language Pathology Assistant Certificate issued by the Arizona Department of Health Services. (You are encouraged to attach a copy of your license to your application.)
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stoop, reach, stand, walk, lift, pull, push, grasp, talk, hear, see, and use repetitive motions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds of materials, etc. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, and the ability to adjust focus. The position requires the individual to meet multiple demands from several people and interact with the public and other staff.

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 noise level in the work environment is moderate to loud.