Speech and Language Pathologist

Speech and Language Pathologist

The Natick Public Schools educate approximately 5,300 students from Pre-K through age 22. We are an innovative, supportive, and high-performing district whose outstanding staff provides high quality services for our diverse students and their families from Natick and Boston. Natick Public Schools is a community dedicated to all students achieving high standards in a safe, trusting, respectful environment where learning is exciting, dynamic, and engaging, and where connectedness and belonging are valued and actively cultivated. We are home to families that speak almost 60 different languages and our student population is approximately 29% Students of Color and 71% White students. With a graduation rate of 97% and 90% of our students attending post-secondary schools, we are proud of our commitment to excellence in educating students to be informed and successful citizens of a global world.

We enthusiastically welcome educators to our district who seek and thrive in a diverse environment that focuses on the whole child in a strengths-based approach. Please partner with us in our mission to support the diversity of our school community, promote and deliver equitable practices for all of our staff, students, and families, and create meaningful connections that enable everyone to feel included and thrive.

Job Title - Speech and Language Pathologist - Location - Districtwide/Memorial

Reports To - Principal, Special Education Coordinator, Director of Student Services - Work days/FTE - Full time

Salary/Benefits - Salary and Benefits per Unit A contract - Benefits Eligible? - Yes

Job Goal: Profile of a Natick Educator

The Speech and Language Pathologist provides screening, diagnostic assessment, and services to assist referred students in benefiting from their educational experiences. Services may be provided through Seamless Services or Special Education Plans. Therapy services include articulation, language, oral motor skills, voice, dysfluency, phonemic awareness, etc.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's Degree

Professional Certification:

• Licensed Speech and Language Pathologist
• ASHA Certified Preferred

Specialized Knowledge:

• Outstanding oral communication and interpersonal skills
• An unrelenting focus on student success, safety and accountability
• Understanding of and commitment to the principles and practices of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice as they relate to student engagement and success

Preferred Experience:

• Experience working with children in the relevant age group
• Experience in a diverse public school setting

Skills:

• Demonstrated aptitude for work to be performed
• Bilingual skills, especially in Spanish and Portuguese, are highly desirable
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Strong work ethic and attention to detail
• Candidates should have a passion for working with students, families, and colleagues.
• Candidates must be flexible and collaborative.
• Candidates must be able to multitask in a fast-paced, supportive environment that nurtures student growth.
• Candidates must be organized and able to meet ongoing, time-sensitive deadlines for work production.
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Superintendent may find appropriate and in conformity with state certification requirements.

Tools and Equipment Used

• Phone, intercom, personal computer and software applications, scanner, copy machine, calculator, camera, printers and fax machine.

Essential Functions of the Job (not limited to)

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

The essential duties and responsibilities, include, but are not limited to:

• Model exemplary communication practices for students beginning in early intervention to prevent speech and language delays.
• Administer and interpret informal and formal assessments to diagnose and prescribe speech and language skills for eligible students with disabilities.
• Schedule students for speech and language evaluation and speech and language therapy services.
• Provide speech and language therapy screening for referred students through Child Study Team (ACT), maintain summary and recommend appropriate in-class strategies, model best practices and/or consult with staff and parents.
• Submit written speech and language therapy assessments including diagnosis, and prescriptions for related services or specialized instruction as needed through seamless services, or a Special Education Program.
• Collaborate with staff and parents through 504 Meetings and Special Education Meetings to offer diagnosis, specific accommodations, modifications and/or therapy strategies.
• Provide training to appropriate staff to carry over therapy goals in the classroom setting.
• Work in collaboration with other school personnel, outside agencies, parents and the medical community to respond to students' speech and language needs.
• Maintain documentation of therapy and student progress for each therapy session provided to eligible students.
• Problem-solve to meet the needs of students' every-changing needs.
• Keep updated with the myriad of assistive technology and specialized equipment that promote speech and language skills.
• Keep updated with new treatments and best practices as recommended in the field of speech and language therapy.
• Maintain the treatment area and oversee the speech and language therapy equipment.
• Produce and distribute written quarterly progress reports to parents and forward to students' temporary record to document specific student progress consistent with student goals and benchmarks.
• Assign and supervise caseload and responsibilities of the Certified Speech and Language Therapist Assistants.
• Implement procedures and forms as mandated by district, state and federal regulations.
• Offer recommendations for Speech and Language Guidelines and Procedures.
• Travel to meet schedule assignments

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of this job satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• move about the classroom, school, school grounds, office, and/or off-site locations.
• On some occasions, it may be necessary to move quickly across even or uneven surfaces;
• remain in a stationary position for periods of time;
• operate a computer and other school/office productivity machinery (i.e., iPad, copy machine, computer printer, assistive technology, etc.);
• read material from a computer monitor as well as handwritten or printed matter with or without visual aids;
• position oneself to maintain files and access school/classroom/office materials;
• communicate with others so that information received and given is understood and accurately communicated;
• communicate and collaborate effectively with students, parents, and other staff members in person, via video conference, on the telephone, and/or in writing;
• observe details at close range
• in the school setting, ensure the safety of students;
• multitask and meet multiple demands from several people;
• may need to teach and support students with life skills development such as eating, cleaning, and toileting
• lifting up to and including 25 lbs
• the noise level in the work environment is moderate to loud.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Selection Guidelines

• Formal application
• Rating of education and experience
• Oral interviews
• Reference check
• Strong record of work performance in current and previous roles required
• Successful completion of Criminal Records Check (C.O.R.I.), Sexual Offender Record Check (S.O.R.I.), and fingerprints.

The Natick Public Schools do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, color, religion, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, physical and intellectual differences, immigration status, homeless status, or any other class protected by law.