Job Title:            Speech/Language Pathologist

Location:            School Based

Pay Grade:         Unified Salary Grade U230

Work Calendar:   200 Day Licensed

FLSA Status:       Exempt

GENERAL PURPOSE

Under the supervision of the building administrator and Student Services, this position provides consultative, diagnostic, and therapeutic services for students with speech and language disorders.

MAIN JOB TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Conducts and interprets speech-language screenings and comprehensive assessments to determine existence of disability.

• Screens all students who are new to the Division and all those referred from private schools to identify students needing speech and language evaluation through implementation of screening and/or referral procedures, for disabilities including, but not limited to, SLI, Autism, SLD, ID, OHI, ED, etc.
• Completes speech-language evaluations, and classroom observations by conducting mid-term and annual reviews, triennial evaluations, and updates short-term objectives, as required.
• Refers to a physician or other specialists, those students whose speech problems may have an organic cause.
• Obtains diagnostic information through formalized testing, analyzes this information, and assists in the determination of services according to Stafford County eligibility criteria.
• Gathers information from teachers and parents to assist in the assessment of specific student problems and attends Child Study meetings, as appropriate.
• Develops long and short-term goals for student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) with appropriate therapy plan based on written objectives.
• Instructs students in small groups or individually according to the nature and severity of their communication disorders while implementing therapy activities in a logical sequence and uses materials compatible with each student's level and interest that creates a positive environment conducive to productive therapy.
• Maintains confidential records in accordance with Stafford County records management procedures to maintain ongoing records of student's performance in order to evaluate student's progress in therapy.

Works collaboratively with parents and professionals from many other disciplines, including an interdisciplinary team, which may include teachers, physicians, audiologists, psychologists, social workers, physical and occupational therapists).

• Informs staff of program services.
• Confers with parents and teachers of students enrolled in therapy.
• Provides staff development to teachers and school staff members on topics concerning communication issues.
• Provides information related to communication to parents.
• Provides training and education to family/caregivers and other professionals (teachers and paraprofessionals).
• Attends IEP Meetings, Amendment Meetings, Triennial Meetings, and attends functional behavior assessment meetings when invited.

Support and demonstrate core values of Stafford Schools

• Engage in ongoing professional development relevant to position.
• Respond to written and oral requests for information promptly and thoroughly.
• Maintain a clean, neat appearance, appropriate to position.
• Maintain a record of appropriate attendance and punctuality.
• Serve as a role model for students, colleagues, and the general public.
• Work in close harmony with colleagues, supervisors, and co-workers.
• Comply with all District and School policies and regulations, including but not limited to guidelines for confidentiality.
• Perform other related duties as required/assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university.
• Five (5) years of professional job related experience.
• Eligible to or hold a license as a speech and language pathologist issued by the Virginia Board of Health Professions.
• ASHA Certified - American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge

• Local, state, and national guidelines for serving the speech and language impaired.
• Technology and its application in relation to the therapist's responsibilities.
• The special education process and current legal mandates as related to Special Education.

 Skills

• Competency in administering and interpreting tests for speech and language impairments.
• Design, implement and evaluate a comprehensive education program appropriate to the educational needs of the speech and language impaired student.

 Abilities

• Work cooperatively in a team environment to meet goals
• Organize and perform work independently
• Meet deadlines for all work even when working on multiple projects
• Show sustained effort and enthusiasm in quality and quantity of work

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work environment is primarily inside, with moderate noise, temperatures that are controlled, and no exposure to chemicals or other negative air quality elements.
• The work is light work, requiring exertion of up to 20 pounds of force to move or lift objects.
• The following physical and mental abilities are representative of those expected to complete the essential functions of the job: standing for prolonged periods; sitting for prolonged periods; moving the hands, wrists, or fingers repetitively; moving with force on the back or lower body repetitively; feeling, grasping, or holding objections by hand; identifying colors visually; identifying objects in low light or distant conditions; communicating via spoken language; communicating via written language; perceiving sounds; making decisions using logic and rational thinking.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily.  Reasonable accommodations shall be made, as required by law, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described.

Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties, just as though they were actually written out in this job description.