Speech & Language Pathologist

Dedham Middle School - Speech Language Pathologist

Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology required.
• Massachusetts DESE Certification and Licensure.
• Successful experience as a speech and language pathologist including performing assessments using a variety of standardized protocols and participation in meetings.
• Successful experience meeting the needs of a diverse student population.
• Knowledge of state and federal special education regulations.
• Effective organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to collaborate and communicate positively and effectively with administrators, colleagues, parents/guardians, and others in the delivery of effective services.

Responsible to: Principal, Special Education Team Leader, and Director of Special Education

Primary Functions: Providing diagnostic and intervention services for students with speech, language and hearing disorders helping students to access the general education curriculum.

Major Responsibilities:

• Program Administration
• Direct Instruction
• Assessment/Pre-referral
• Professional Expectations
• Other

Details:

Program Administration

• Communicate and coordinate with building Principal and/or Special Education Team Leader to ensure school mission, philosophy, and procedures are embraced.
• Discuss student's progress with parents, teachers, counselors, and administrators.
• Assist and guide teachers in observing, describing, and referring suspected and identified speech and language delays/disorders.
• Consult with teaching teams to develop and implement curricular modifications and appropriate classroom strategies such as visual supports, oral motor exercises, language strips, topics of conversation, and data collection.
• Collaborate with professional staff regarding their specific teaching, therapeutic and supervisory responsibilities.
• Collaborate with Principals and Educational Team Leader to develop individual schedules to ensure compliance and most effective instruction.
• Collaborate with Principal and Educational Team Leader to support co-teaching models that provide inclusion experiences for students within the program.
• Ensure the implementation of administrative procedures related to SPED Powerschool; maintenance and security of student records for caseload.
• Collaborate with service providers, including but not limited to: school psychologists, school counselors, speech and language specialists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, vision/mobility therapists, BCBAs.

Direct Instruction

• Provide high quality direct speech-language services to students according to students' IEPs and/or 504 Plans.
• Plan, prepare, and teach lessons and activities as a class, in small groups, and 1:1 as needed, in accordance with IEPs/Service Plans.
• Work cooperatively with other specialists/teachers to develop curriculum for the improvement of departmentalized educational instruction.
• Promote inclusion and equity of instruction in classrooms by providing services in inclusion settings as appropriate.
• Meet regularly with internal TEAM members regarding issues and concerns around specific student needs.
• Communicate regularly with families regarding service delivery and progress.
• Manage a detailed log of services provided and services missed due to student or therapist absences.
• Complete treatment notes and progress reports in a timely manner and according to school policy and special education regulations.

Assessment/Pre-Referral

• Participate in building-based Student Assistant Team (SATs) and support regulatory pre-referral activities by providing screenings as needed
• Conduct assessments, analyze results, and write reports to determine strengths and concerns in areas of speech, voice, fluency, pragmatics, language, and oral motor skills.
• Effectively share results with parents, guardians and educational staff, and participate in the eligibility determination process in accordance with state and federal requirements.
• Develop treatment plans (IEPs/504 Plans) that are strength-based as well as child and family centered or overall educational improvement.
• Ensure evaluations, treatment plans and service delivery are aligned with school, state, and federal guidelines.

Professional Expectations

• Document all aspects of work with students using Powerschool SPED according to federal and state regulations.
• Comply with all Medicaid requirements for school-based claiming.
• Maintain an inventory of materials, assessments, and supplies.
• Participate in Team meetings and develop speech and language goals for IEPs throughout the school year that reflect students' progress and goals.
• Contribute productively to the school as a whole by attending faculty meetings/in-services/professional development activities as scheduled.
• Support and participate in all mandated DESE monitoring activities as requested; completion of required coursework, Coordinated Program Reviews, etc.
• Keep abreast of best practices in speech and language therapy and language development.
• Maintain student confidentiality.

Other

• Carries out any other appropriate responsibilities assigned.

Other Responsibilities:

• Strive to improve professional competence.
• Exhibit dependability and punctuality in assigned duties.
• Display appropriate personal and professional traits that exhibit a positive role model for students.
• Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
• Strive to achieve the objectives and expectations found in the Teacher Evaluation Handbook.
• Collaborate with other specialists and share pertinent information with building administration and intervention teams.
• Attend meetings as required.
• Complete other duties as assigned by the Superintendent or his/her designee.