Speech Language Pathologist Assistant (SLP-A)

Job Title

An employee in this position administers direct and indirect intervention for students to assist a speech-language pathologist in the provision of clinical-educational services for students with speech-language disorders. The work is guided by therapeutic protocols, a task by task plan written by the supervising speech-language pathologist.

The assistant is expected to use individually designed interventions based upon the unique clinical-educational needs of each student. The assistant's work with students is under direct supervision by the speech-language pathologist; however, the assistant is expected to recognize when changes in a student's needs require assistance from the supervising speech-language pathologist. Errors in service could cause serious harm to students and potential liability for the supervising speech-language pathologist, the school system, and the assistant.

The assistant works under the supervision of a speech-language pathologist licensed by the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Speech and Language Pathologists and Audiologists and the assistant requires limited supervision in indirect services.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Administers screening protocols.
• Transports students to/from testing or therapy area.
• Administers therapeutic treatment protocols written by the speech-language pathologist.
• Communicates with students and other professionals to meet the emotional needs of students.
• Obtains case histories and completes observation checklists.
• Manages behavior using appropriately designed management techniques.
• Summarizes and records target behaviors during therapy sessions.
• Completes random moment in time studies as required by MAC program guidelines.

Additional Job Functions

• Performs clerical and administrative functions.
• Organizes and manages student data and records.
• Tabulates and scores tests.
• Arranges the clinical-educational setting to maintain a safe and positive environment.
• Manages, operates, programs, and/or monitors equipment and materials.

Minimum Training

• Completion of an Associate's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology Assisting from an accredited institution of higher learning, community college, or equivalent program; or evidence of successful completion of a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution as well as evidence of successful completion of courses developed by the North Carolina Department of Community Colleges.
• Assistants must achieve a passing score on a competency test approved by the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Speech and Language Pathologists and Audiologists.

Special Requirements

• Registration as an assistant with the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Speech and Language Pathologists and Audiologists by a supervising speech-language pathologist who is licensed by the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Speech and Language Pathologists and Audiologists, and subject to rules and regulations for speech-language pathology assistants adopted by the Board of Examiners.

Essential Job Functions

• Must be physically able to operate a variety of equipment and tools including computer software, computer hardware, cables, etc. Must be able to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 5 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
• Requires the ability to speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information. Includes giving and receiving instructions, assignments and/or directions from superiors.
• Requires the ability to read a variety of correspondence, technical manuals, newsletters, trade journals, etc. Requires the ability to prepare reports, forms, training materials, documentation, etc., using prescribed formats.
• Requires the ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagrammatic form; and to deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
• Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical or professional languages including computer terminology.
• Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of anatomy and physiology, normal communication development, phonetics, developmental psychology, various types of disabilities seen in schoolchildren, and various speech-language disorders and approaches to therapeutic educational intervention, and roles of supervising speech-language pathologists and assistants.
• Working knowledge of behavioral management practices.
• Working knowledge of the operation of schools.
• Skills in obtaining case histories and completing observation checklists.
• Skills in administering speech-language screening and therapeutic protocols.
• Skills in managing, operating, programming, and/or monitoring clinical-educational equipment and materials, including assistive listening devices, augmentative communication devices, voice equipment, and computer-based equipment and software.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students, families and professionals.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate records.
• Ability to arrange the therapy setting to maintain a safe and positive environment.

Disclaimer: The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees in this job.