School Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA)

TITLE: School Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA)

REPORTS TO: Director of Special Education

SUPERVISES: N/A

TERM: 10 months.


JOB GOAL : The Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLP-A) works under the direct supervision of a licensed and certified Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) to provide therapy and support services to students with speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. The SLP-A's primary role is to implement documented treatment plans and therapeutic protocols designed by the supervising SLP. This position requires strong collaboration skills, a foundational understanding of communication development, and a commitment to student progress and well-being.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education:
  • A minimum of an associate degree from an SLPA program, or a bachelor's degree in communication sciences and Disorders (CSD) or a related field.
  • Completion of a post-baccalaureate SLPA certificate program is often required.
  • Coursework in areas such as phonetics, language development, anatomy of speech and hearing, and speech sound disorders is essential.
• Certification & Licensure:
  • Hold a valid and current state license as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant.
  • SLP-A certification from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is highly preferred.
• Experience:
  • Completion of the required supervised clinical fieldwork hours as mandated by state licensing boards.
  • Prior experience working with children or in an educational setting is preferred.
• Skills:
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills.
  • Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
  • Patience, empathy, and a compassionate demeanor when working with students and their families.
  • Ability to work effectively as part of a collaborative team.
  • Proficiency in using and maintaining therapy equipment, including AAC devices and computer software.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Therapy Implementation: Provide direct treatment assistance to students individually or in small groups by following documented treatment plans developed by the supervising SLP.
• Documentation: Collect and record accurate, objective data on student performance during therapy sessions. This includes tracking progress toward IEP goals, tallying data, and preparing charts or graphs without interpreting the findings.
• IEP Support: Implement the goals, objectives, and accommodations as outlined in a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP).
• Screening & Assessment: Assist the supervising SLP in conducting screenings, preparing materials, and administering specific assessment tools as directed. The SLP-A does not interpret or diagnose results.
• Material Preparation: Prepare and organize therapy materials, instructional resources, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices.
• Collaboration & Communication:
• Maintain consistent and open communication with the supervising SLP regarding student performance, progress, and any concerns.
• Communicate with students, families, and teachers about a student's progress and carryover activities as directed by the supervising SLP.
• Collaborate with other school staff to support the integration of communication skills in the classroom and other settings.
• Clerical and Administrative Duties: Perform a variety of clerical tasks, such as scheduling, record-keeping, and maintaining an inventory of supplies and equipment.
• Professional Conduct: Adhere to all federal, state, and local regulations, including HIPAA and FERPA, regarding student confidentiality. Maintain ethical conduct and professionalism at all times.

EVALUATION:

• Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board's policy on evaluation of personnel.