1282 Speech-Language Pathologist (Full Time or Part Tme)

Speech-Language Pathologist

Iowa's Area Education Agencies are educational partners embedded in Iowa schools. We exist to create a thriving educational landscape where all learners and educators have access to high-quality, evidence-based and strategic supports and services, collaboratively provided within districts, to help all learners achieve their full potential.

Northwest AEA provides special education and school improvement services to 35 public school districts and 33 accredited, non-public schools. The agency serves 45,000 students and more than 5000 educators in a 10-county area of Northwest Iowa (Lyon, Osceola, Sioux, O'Brien, Plymouth, Cherokee, Woodbury, Ida, Monona, and Crawford).

Our headquarters is located at 5800 Discovery Blvd., Sioux City, with regional offices in Cherokee, Denison, Le Mars, Onawa, and Sioux Center.

Our vision, mission, and anchors guide our actions. Staff at Northwest AEA believe that what they do inspires learning and leads to changed lives for the students, staff, and families we serve. Our work is anchored in building positive, professional relationships with stakeholders and with one another. We embrace responsiveness in how we serve so that students, staff, and families can see improved results.

The Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) provides comprehensive services to learners aged birth to 21 with communication needs impacting their education and social interactions. The SLP partners with educators, families, and communities, delivering direct services, consultation, coaching, and training. Speech-language pathologists assess speech and language comprehension and production to determine a child's communication skills and provide intervention strategies and services related to speech and language development as well as disorders of language, voice, articulation and fluency.

Working within the agency's educational framework, the speech-language pathologist fosters positive learning environments, ensures compliance with state and federal guidelines, and enhances the overall success of learners Birth-21.

Qualifications

• Education: Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from an accredited institution.
• Licensure: Iowa Bureau of Educational Examiners (Iowa BoEE) B-21 Speech-Language Pathologist license or Iowa Department of Public Health Speech-Language Pathologist license and an Iowa BoEE Statement of Professional Recognition (SPR).
• Experience: Certificate of Clinical Competence (ASHA CCCs) is encouraged; however, not required

Essential Functions

1. Consultation, Collaboration, and Coaching:
   1. Serve as a liaison among AEA team members, school staff, families, and community organizations to enhance learner outcomes.
   2. Collaborate with school teams to develop and evaluate intervention strategies within the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS).
   3. Provide consultation to staff on communication development and the impact of communication disorders on learning and social-emotional development.
2. Assessment and Intervention
   1. Complete comprehensive evaluations to determine eligibility for Early ACCESS or special education services and develop Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs) or Individualized Education Program (IEPs).
   2. Providing direct instruction or consultative support to improve speech sound disorders
   3. Providing direct instruction or consultative support to improve expressive and receptive language disorders (e.g., increasing words spoken, ability to ask and answer questions, ability to communicate wants, needs and experiences)
   4. Utilize research-based practices to create and implement individualized instruction and monitor effectiveness through data collection.
3. Instructional Support
   1. Use data to inform instructional strategies, measure progress, and refine interventions.
   2. Support school teams in collecting and analyzing data for academic and behavioral improvement in special education.
   3. Identify need and train district and school staff on the use and coordination of communication assistive technology (e.g., AAC device with speech output, core board).
4. Compliance and Documentation
   1. Ensure confidentiality in accordance with FERPA and HIPAA regulations.
   2. Maintain accurate and timely records of assessments, interventions, and progress monitoring in compliance with state, federal, and agency policies.
   3. Participate actively in eligibility meetings, IEP meetings, and reevaluations to support data-based decision-making and goal alignment.
   4. Utilize consistent organization and workload planning to ensure efficient use of time and resources.
   5. Effectively prioritize tasks and manage workload to meet deadlines and progress monitor learner goals within established timelines.
   6. Implement and maintain systematic progress monitoring procedures, accurately collecting data, and generating timely reports.
5. Professional Development
   1. Participate in internal and external (as directed) professional learning activities to stay current with trends and evidence-based practices

Additional Responsibilities

1. Advocate for learners with disabilities and promote inclusive practices
2. Perform other duties as assigned to support the overall goals and objectives of the department, ensuring flexibility and adaptability in response to changing needs and priorities
3. May include the need to direct/inform speech-language pathology assistants/paraprofessionals

Skills and Abilities

1. Assessment and Data-Driven Decision Making
2. Intervention Design and Implementation
3. Cultural Competence and Sensitivity
4. Technology Integration
5. Collaboration and Teamwork
6. Communication Skills and Documentation
7. Time Management

Northwest Area Education Agency (AEA)