Leave Replacement - Speech Language Pathologist

Speech And Language Pathologist

The purpose of the position is to provide assessment and instruction for students with disorders of speech, hearing, and language so that they may improve communication skills and thus achieve their maximum educational, social, and vocational potential.

Advises, consults, and cooperates with the director of special education on all significant matters relating to the performance of the assigned function.

Collects for assessment past and current information relevant to the student's disability and need for specialized instruction, including prescriptions from physicians, reports from teachers, counselors, parents, and nurses, and the results of tests and other instruments used to obtain significant findings as related to the student's communication skills; takes into account the age, maturation, and the linguistic and cultural background of the student.

Summarizes assessment results in writing including procedures and instruments used, results obtained, and apparent significance of findings as related to the student's instructional program.

Writes instructional goals based on the assessment of the student's functional level to work towards the proposed goals; plans and implements an instructional program to assist the student to progress toward the accomplishment of established goals and objectives.

Evaluates the student's progress toward the accomplishment of objectives and records performance measurements both during process and final results; attempts to identify causal factors that account for significant difference between actual and predicted performance.

Provides consultative and advisory data for school personnel, parents, and other related professional disciplines. Plans work efforts systematically to insure the instructional program flows from goals to objectives.

Reports to parent(s) or legal guardian(s) and teacher the student's measured performance as compared to established objectives.

Keeps abreast of developments and improved techniques in the field and adopts those which will contribute to improvement of the student's performance.

Contributes to the coordination of overall education efforts by cooperating with other professional personnel throughout the district.

Recommends to the director of special education suitable facilities, equipment, and materials to meet the needs of disabled students.

Prepares a variety of reports as necessary.

Serves on a variety of committees and works on special projects as assigned.

Serves as member of the special education team of the school and district; performs related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position as assigned.

Works with teachers, special education consultants, psychologists, and other special personnel to assure a proper balance of services to meet the needs of disabled pupils. Maintains a close cooperation with the home to insure a unified effort in the education of the student. Consults with other professional persons working with the student in relevant areas outside the school setting. Works with building principals and teachers in scheduling students for instruction.

The daily activities of the speech and language pathologist are performed in a school setting.

There is a high level of interaction with students. The work may require moving, lifting, and storing of materials and equipment. The therapist may be exposed to infectious diseases and biohazards.

Considerable knowledge of the principles, practices, methods, and techniques for the treatment of communication disorders. Knowledge of the rules, regulations, and procedures governing special education.

Ability to provide treatment for communication disorders to students.

Ability to produce accurate records and reports.

Ability to make independent decisions.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, parents, other employees, and others as needed.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Skill in computer operation and ability to learn and operate a variety of software programs.

Skill in organizing and coordinating work load.

Master's degree in speech and hearing sciences or related field; or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that would provide the applicant with the desired knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the work and to meet certification requirements.

Washington State educational staff associate certification as a speech and language pathologist.

Kent School District