Speech Language Pathologist

Speech/Language Pathologist

Purpose: Speech/Language Pathologists (SLP) provide a wide range of services, mainly on an individual basis, but also as support for individuals, families, support groups, and providing information for the general public. Speech/Language services begin with initial screening for communication skills and continue with assessment and diagnosis, consultation for the provision of advice regarding management, intervention and treatment, and provision services for students.

Performance Responsibilities: The primary function of an employee in this class is to provide speech/language therapy to assigned students. The primary duties of the position are performed in the therapy or classroom environment. The SLP maintains records, conducts speech, language and hearing screenings. The SLP makes recommendations and delivers services to meet the needs of the students in the area of speech/language services. The SLP develops, with a team, individual education programs (IEP) for students.

Essential Duties:

• Organizes a program that addresses individual student's speech/language goals
• Works with school personnel to accomplish the speech/language goals and objectives
• Coordinates speech/language services with student services provided by other school personnel
• Maintains records of the speech-language program and prepares periodic reports as required
• Adheres to established district policies, code of ethics, and state and Federal laws
• Helps with a team to develop an IEP for student
• Plans therapy for individual students and groups of students
• Keeps updated records of each student's sessions and progress
• Provides updated information to Parents and teachers on students' progress and needs
• Adjusts intervention strategies based upon student performance
• Promotes effective interpersonal relations with students, staff and parents
• Provides consultation to parents, teachers and other appropriate school personnel
• Consults/communicates with non-school agencies to enhance services

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of speech and language, diagnostic, therapy, and evaluation methods, techniques, and objectives;
• Knowledge of speech and language development, disabilities, and disorders;
• Knowledge of oral anatomy and motor development;
• Knowledge of basic educational procedures and objectives, including classroom instruction and presentation, preparation of teaching materials and aids, behavior management and modification, district testing and grading, and student-teacher relations and interactions;
• Knowledge of operation of specialized therapy equipment;
• Knowledge to follow written and oral instructions and observe District policies and procedures;
• Knowledge to apply speech and language therapy methods effectively, following established protocols;
• Knowledge to prepare therapy, instructional, and related materials;
• Knowledge to perform screening, and ongoing assessment duties, following established protocols;
• Knowledge to prepare and maintain files, records, logs, and therapy documentation;
• Knowledge to maintain student, school, and parental confidentiality;
• Knowledge to participate in Multi-disciplinary teams (MDT) to coordinate and prepare Individual Education programs for students;
• Knowledge to operate equipment, standard office equipment, and a personal computer using programs appropriate to assigned duties;
• Knowledge to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, parents, teachers and staff members, and other District personnel;
• Knowledge to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Knowledge to demonstrate integrity, ingenuity and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.

Ability to:

• Follow written and oral instructions and observe District policies and procedures;
• Interpret and modify classroom and therapy instructions, materials, and presentations to the appropriate learning level of the assigned student;
• Prepare and maintain required records, files, reports, logs, statistics, and documentation;
• Perform time management and scheduling functions, meet deadlines, and set task priorities;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, teachers and staff members, and other District personnel;
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Maintain student, school, and parental confidentiality;
• Demonstrate integrity, ingenuity and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.

Qualifications:

• Master's degree in speech/language pathology
• Must have pupil personnel certificate with proper endorsement
• School experience preferred
• Certificate of Clinical Competency (CCC) or CFY Eligible from AHSA preferred

Essential Physical Abilities:

• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to discern verbal conversation and to communicate effectively on the telephone and in person;
• Sufficient visual acuity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to comprehend written work and assessments, prepare and review documents, and organize documents and materials;
• Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to perform repetitive hand/wrist/arm motions and to operate a computer and office equipment;
• Sufficient personal mobility, agility, strength, and reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to bend, stoop, kneel, stand, or sit for long periods of time, lift a minimum of 25 pounds, and physically interact with and control students, including applying prescribed restraint techniques, in a special education classroom environment;
• Job tasks require, with or without reasonable accommodation, climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting and grasping;
• Must have a valid Idaho Driver's License and a vehicle to drive and/or must provide own transportation for job related activities.

Evaluation: Yearly by supervisor. Terms of employment to be determined by calendar year. Regular attendance is an essential function of this job.