Speech Language Pathologist

Speech Language Pathologist

The Speech-Language Pathologist is responsible for evaluating and providing specialized therapy to students with communication disabilities, ensuring their unique developmental needs are met within the educational environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Clinical Services: Design and implement individualized therapeutic programs to meet the unique communication needs of students.
• Assessment: Conduct comprehensive screenings and diagnostic evaluations of speech and language development.
• IEP Management: Lead the development of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), ensuring all reports and documentation are completed accurately and within legal timelines.
• Compliance: Maintain rigorous student records and ensure all services comply with federal (IDEA), state, and GCPS regulations.
• Collaboration: Serve as an active member of multidisciplinary student support teams and consult with teachers, administrators, and parents.
• Education: Provide specialized training and resources to school staff and families regarding speech and language development and disorders.

Qualifications:

• Must hold an active Speech-Language Pathology license issued by the Virginia Board of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology.
• Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) is highly preferred.
• Deep understanding of childhood speech/language development, modern assessment instruments, and innovative therapy techniques.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with the ability to adapt style to suit various audiences (students, parents, and professional staff).
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and build positive, cooperative relationships with colleagues at all levels.

Education and/or Experience:

• Must hold an active Speech-Language Pathology license issued by the Virginia Board of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology.
• Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) is highly preferred.

Statement of Core Requirements and Compliance:

Goochland County Public Schools is dedicated to ensuring that every staff member is positioned for success through a clear understanding of their role's functional requirements. The following addendum outlines the essential physical, mental, and environmental demands inherent to this position. This information serves as a standard for evaluating workplace safety, determining eligibility for short-term disability or leave, and identifying opportunities for light-duty assignments. By defining these core expectations, GCPS remains committed to fostering a supportive work environment while ensuring the consistent delivery of high-quality services to our students and community.

Physical Requirements:

Demand Frequency Details Mobility Frequent Navigating multiple school campuses; moving between classrooms, playgrounds, and therapy suites; traversing hallways during high-traffic transition periods.

Lifting/Carrying Occasional Transporting diagnostic kits (e.g., CELF, GFTA), heavy assessment manuals, AAC devices, and specialized adaptive seating or toys up to 25 lbs. Positioning Frequent Bending, stooping, and kneeling to engage with students at eye level (especially in Early Childhood or Elementary settings) or assisting students with physical disabilities.

Stationary Work Frequent Remaining seated for extended durations during Eligibility/IEP meetings, data entry, and conducting 1-on-1 table-top therapy sessions

Sensory and Communication Demands:

• Visual Acuity: Ability to observe fine motor movements of a student's mouth (articulation placement), monitor non-verbal cues and behaviors, and maintain precision while reading technical diagnostic reports and digital IEP software.
• Auditory: Exceptional ability to distinguish subtle phonetic differences in student speech; ability to hear and respond to verbal communication and school-wide safety alarms in noisy environments.
• Speech: Must possess high vocal clarity and the ability to model correct speech sounds and language structures effectively for students with communication disorders.

Mental and Cognitive Demands:

• Clinical Decision Making: Ability to analyze complex evaluation data to determine special education eligibility and exercise sound judgment when adjusting therapy goals under the pressure of legal deadlines.
• Stress Management: Ability to maintain a calm, professional demeanor during high-emotion IEP meetings, interpersonal conflicts, or when managing dysregulated student behavior.
• Executive Function: High level of concentration required to maintain focus on detailed report writing and progress monitoring amidst the frequent interruptions (announcements, bells, unscheduled arrivals) typical of a school environment.

Environmental Conditions:

• Itinerant Setting: Work is primarily performed in climate-controlled offices or classrooms; however, the role requires frequent travel between buildings, requiring exposure to various indoor acoustic environments.
• Noise Level: Fluctuates from quiet (private therapy) to moderate/loud (classrooms, hallways, and cafeterias). The SLP must be able to function effectively despite background noise.
• Exposure: Occasional exposure to outdoor weather conditions during arrival/dismissal duty, recess observations, or while transitioning between school buildings.

Equal Opportunity and Position Flexibility:

Goochland County Public Schools (GCPS) is committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive environment. We provide Equal Employment Opportunities and equal educational programs for all employees and students, strictly adhering to all applicable Federal and State laws and executive orders.

In alignment with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), GCPS will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential tasks of this role, provided such accommodations do not cause undue hardship to the district.

While this job description is designed to accurately reflect the core activities and requirements of the position, it is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, or working conditions.

• Administrative Authority: GCPS Administration reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties as evolving operational needs require.
• Flexibility: Employees may be assigned additional duties to support the overall mission of the school district and the success of our students.