Educational Audiologist

Educational Audiologist

Under limited supervision, performs a variety of specialized administrative, consultative, and clinical tasks in coordination with Exceptional Children's Services for the school system. Work involves planning, developing, and implementing a comprehensive educational audiology program for students with hearing loss and auditory needs. The Educational Audiologist assesses the needs of students, supports the development of appropriate educational accommodations and services, establishes program priorities, and collaborates with school personnel, families, and outside agencies to promote student access and achievement.

The position provides leadership and oversight related to hearing support services through interpreting and implementing federal, state, and local regulations, including North Carolina Governing Policies for Children with Disabilities, IDEA requirements, and applicable educational standards. Responsibilities include informing teachers, administrators, and support staff of the implications of policy and procedural changes, and ensuring that instructional practices and accommodations are aligned with student needs and compliance requirements.

The position oversees the implementation and effectiveness of audiological and hearing support services, including monitoring assistive listening devices, classroom acoustics, hearing screenings, and individualized accommodations for students with hearing loss. The Educational Audiologist provides professional development and coaching to teachers and staff regarding hearing loss, communication strategies, assistive technology, and methods for increasing student access and achievement. The position also ensures adherence to federal, state, and local policies and procedures while maintaining accurate records, reports, and program documentation.

Position Summary:

Under limited supervision, performs a variety of specialized administrative, consultative, and clinical tasks in coordination with Exceptional Children's Services for the school system. Work involves planning, developing, and implementing a comprehensive educational audiology program for students with hearing loss and auditory needs. The Educational Audiologist assesses the needs of students, supports the development of appropriate educational accommodations and services, establishes program priorities, and collaborates with school personnel, families, and outside agencies to promote student access and achievement.

Minimum Education, Certifications, Qualifications and/or Experience:

• Master's Degree in Audiology from an accredited college or university.
• Valid North Carolina Audiology License issued by the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Speech and Language Pathologists and Audiologists.
• North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) license in Audiology or eligibility for licensure.
• Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) preferred or eligibility to obtain.

Position Competencies:

• Recognize and demonstrate respect for individual differences between culture, religion, gender, and sexual orientation of students with disabilities and their families within verbal and written interactions
• Demonstrate ability to relate in a positive way to include sensitivity to race, creed, color, national origin, gender, sexual/gender identity, class, socioeconomics, ethnicity, sexual orientation, cognitive/physical ability, diverse language fluency, religion, status as an English Language Learner, marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, or other characteristics protected by federal law for the diversity of students, staff, parents and community.
• Maintain boundaries for relationships and communication with students and their families within the professional and ethical scope of responsibility. Refer questions about student progress to appropriate licensed professionals
• Conduct activities with integrity and in compliance with applicable local, state and federal standards, policies and guidelines
• Demonstrate knowledge of current special education program state and federal regulations.
• Maintain the dignity, privacy, and confidentiality of all students with disabilities, families, and school personnel
• Establish and maintain professional, collegial, and appropriate relationships with school personnel, students, and their families
• Demonstrates flexibility, cooperation, and openness in scheduling activities throughout the day for growth and willingness to contribute in a team approach
• Demonstrate ability to use conflict resolution and crisis intervention skills.

Essential Functions and Skills:

Hearing Screening and Evaluations:

• Assist with all school aged mass hearing screenings (Prek, kindergarten, 1st, 3rd and 5th).
• Assist with planning and implementation of screenings in schools with no in-person SLP
• Schedule and complete comprehensive audiological evaluations (students that fail the mass screening and need audiological follow-up, monitoring hearing for students with diagnosed hearing loss, referrals/reevaluations as requested by the IEP team).
• Document results, write reports, and maintain records in compliance with the district and state regulations
• Perform hearing screenings for the preK evaluation team (currently reserving 2 days per month for Prek screenings; scheduled by the team's administrative assistant)
• Counsel parents/guardians on hearing loss/impacts of hearing loss on learning
• Make referrals for treatment or and accommodation recommendations

IEP and 504 team participation:

• Schedule evaluations (audiological and central auditory processing) as requested by the IEP team
• Collaborate with educational and support staff and parents to develop and implement IEP's
• Provide audiological expertise to the IEP and 504 teams
• Provide recommendations for intervention and classroom accommodations
• Assist with the IEP's Communication Plan Worksheet

Hearing Assistive Technology:

• Fit hearing assistive devices and classroom assistive technology
• Provide maintenance on ABSS devices
• Provide in-service training to teachers and staff on hearing loss implications and equipment troubleshooting.
• Perform routine maintenance and troubleshooting on student devices (cleaning hearing aids/processors; making ear impressions and ordering new earmolds)
• Measure classroom acoustics and noise levels to recommend improvements for a better listening environment.

Audiology Clinic/Equipment Maintenance:

• Maintain clinical and portable equipment for the district.
• Schedule annual mandatory equipment calibrations.
• Order supplies for Audiology and D/HH departments.

Working Environment:

• Perform job functions that require:
• physical demands to include but not limited to lifting, pushing and/or pulling equipment
• sitting, walking, and standing for a range of periods throughout the day
• supervising indoor and outdoor environments within the work schedule.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this position. They are not intended to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and skills that may be required of the employees assigned to this position. This description may be revised by the supervisor, with HC review and approval, any time.