Speech Language Pathology Assistant

Speech Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA)

Unit A Collective Bargaining Agreement

Per Unit A Collective Bargaining Agreement

Reports To: SLP Supervisor, as per the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), SPED Coordinator of Itinerant Staff/Related Services, Director of Special Education, Building Principal

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Self-identify as an SLPA to students, staff and families.
• Assist the Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) with the prevention and screening of potential speech/language disorders.
• Follow documented treatment plans or protocols developed by the supervising SLP in the areas of articulation/phonology, fluency, voice/resonance, receptive and expressive language, literacy, social aspects (pragmatics), cognitive aspects, multiculturalism, augmentative/alternative communication, telepractice, behavior, hearing, swallowing as they pertain to students between the ages of 3 and 21 in the public schools.
• Document student performance and report this information to the supervising SLP.
• Collaborate and share information with staff and families regarding goals and strategies developed as directed by the SLP.
• Perform checks and maintenance of inventory/equipment.
• Assist with departmental operations (preparing materials, scheduling, recordkeeping, third-party billing, and departmental data) safety/maintenance of supplies and equipment as directed by the SLP.
• Support the supervising SLP with in-service training and public relations programs.
• Actively participate in supervisory process.
• Refrain from performing tasks or activities that are the sole responsibility of the SLP.
• School duties as per Unit A contract, building and staff meetings, professionalism (punctual, cooperative, organized, respectful, etc.).
• Actively pursue continuing education and professional development as per license requirements.

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree from a speech-language pathology or communication disorders program
• Successful completion of a minimum of one hundred (100) hours of supervised field work experience or its clinical experience equivalent
• License to practice as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant by the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
• Past adherence to practicing ethically within the scope of practice and responsibilities for an SLPA
• Experience with Autism Spectrum Disorders preferred
• *This job requires traveling between school buildings within the City.

ADA Minimum Qualifications To Perform Essential Job Functions

• Physical Requirements: Must be physically able to operate a variety of equipment including computers, copiers, adding machines, etc. Must be able to exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, and pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Must be able to stand, crouch and bend over for a long period of time at intervals throughout the day.
• Data Conception: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural or composite characteristics (whether similar or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.
• Interpersonal Communication: Requires the ability to speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information. Includes giving instructions, assignments or directions to subordinates or assistants.
• Language Ability: Requires the ability to read a variety of correspondence, reports, forms, newsletters, schedules, manuals, invoices, requisitions, menus, recipes, journals, etc. Requires the ability to prepare correspondence, reports, forms, evaluations, procedures, charts, surveys, articles, bid specifications, brochures, news releases, handbooks, budgets, etc., using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style. Requires the ability to speak before groups of people with poise, voice control and confidence.
• Intelligence: 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.
• Verbal Aptitude: 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 medical, legal, accounting and marketing terminology.
• Numerical Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract; multiply and divide; utilize decimals and percentages; and to apply the principles of algebra and geometry.
• Form/Spatial Aptitude: Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.
• Motor Coordination: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using office equipment.
• Manual Dexterity: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items such as office equipment and hand tools. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.
• Interpersonal: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress and when confronted with emergency situations.
• Physical Communication: Requires the ability to talk and hear: (Talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words. Hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear.) Must be able to communicate via telephone.