Position: Lead SpeechLanguage Pathologist
Department: Special Programs
Wage/Hour Status: Exempt
Immediate Supervisor(s): Executive Director of Special Programs/Coordinator of Assessment
Pay Grade:Per Compensation Manual
Days Employed:Per Compensation Manual
POSITION SUMMARY:
- Coordinate planning and provision speechlanguage pathology services to students with speech voice or language disorders
- Assess students and provide therapeutic intervention to eliminate or reduce problems or impairments that interfere with their students ability to derive full benefit from the educational program
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education/Certification:
- Masters degree in speechlanguage pathology from an accredited college or university
- Valid Texas license as a speechlanguage pathologist granted by the Texas Department of Licensing (TDLR)
Special Knowledge/Skills:
- Ability to use the accepted tests and measurements to assess communication disorders and conditions
- Knowledge of evaluation habilitation and rehabilitation of speechlanguage disorders and conditions
- Ability to instruct and manage student behavior
- Excellent organizational skills
- Ability to communicate well in oral and written form
- Effective interpersonal skills
- Ability to work well as a team member and lead a team
- Working knowledge of computers word processing and software related to field
Experience:
- 3 years as an SLP in public schools
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
Therapy:
- Plan and provide appropriate individual and group therapy to students consistent with speech and language goals contained in Individual Education Plans (IEP)
- Evaluate student progress and determine continuation or readiness for termination of therapy services
- Keep updated paperwork regarding services provided as required by TEA TDLR and IDEA
- Assist in programming and monitor augmentative communication devices design lowtech devices and consult on communication devices
Assessment:
- Conduct independent evaluations to assess students with speech or language disorders and conditions to determine eligibility for services
- Develop clinical management strategies or procedures and diagnostic statements by interpreting observations or data
- Participate in the Admission Review and Dismissal (ARD) Committee to assist in the interpretation of assessment data appropriate placement and goal setting for students with communication disorders or conditions according to district procedures
- Administer initial assessments and reevaluations as required for FIE
- Write FIE report per multidisciplinary team (MDT) process per TEA IDEA and District Guidelines
- Communicate results of FIE with parents and district staff
- Provide consultation for school staff and contract assessment in complex situations
- Perform screenings as appropriate
Consultation:
- Counsel and involve parents in the remedial process
- Provide consultation to collaboration with parents special education and general education teachers to support IEP goals and objectives in all campus settings
- Collaborate with classroom teachers to plan and implement classroom activities to improve the communication skills of students not directly on caseload and on caseload
- Provide professional development in assigned schools to help school personnel identify and understand communication deficits
- Communicate effectively with colleagues students and parents regarding the accomplishment of therapy goals and needs of the student
- Provide consultation to school staff and contract assessment service providers in complex situations
- Provide consultation to district administrators assessment personnel and instructional staff as needed to address speech and language needs presented by special education students
- Provide consultation to other district teams (eg ARDCF Educational Diagnosticians and LSSPs) as necessary for efficient program management
Student Management:
- Create an environment conducive to teaming and appropriate for the maturity level and interests of Students
- Establish control and administer discipline according to the Student Code of Conduct and student handbook as well as the students Behavior Intervention Plan
- Provide consultation to collaboration with classroom teachers and staff to aid in the identification of students needs and in response to intervention efforts and documentation
Administration:
- Compile maintain and file all reports records and other required documents
- Comply with policies established by federal and state laws State Board of Education rule TDLR and district/board policy
- Participate in professional development activities to improve skills related to job assignment
- Provide documentation of RTI therapy ARDs Student intervention teams assessments etc upon request
- Comply with TDLR rules and regulations as required to maintain a license
- Collaborate and work well as part of a team
- Compile maintain and file all reports records and other required documents including applications for NPI numbers as well as documentation required for Medicaid and SHARS billing within required timelines
- Follow the AZ Special Education operating guidelines
Admission Review & Dismissal:
- Complete ARD paperwork within TEA IDEA and district policies
- Maintain audit files electronic files and paperwork as required by District policies/procedures
- Assist in gathering data and coordinate any aspects requested from the Executive Director of Special Programs State Performance Plans (SPP)
- Plan and provide training for speech therapists teaching staff per department campus and individual student needs
- Monitor systems for determining staffing and meeting IEP requirements
- Plan and Facilitate department meetings
- Coordinate with Deaf Education Coop and attend ARD meetings as DISD designee
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- May supervise direct and monitor the work of speechlanguage pathology assistants CFs or graduate students if in mutual agreement by district and SLP
- Develop and coordinate a continuing evaluation of speechlanguage pathology services and make changes based on the findings
- Provide clinical support to campusbased speech staff as requested
- Direct supervise and evaluate the activities of speech pathology graduate students from university programs and licensed assistants as mutually agreed upon
- Direct supervise and evaluate the activities of speech pathology within the district
- Conduct yearly SLP and SLPas evaluation according to district procedures
- Assign and supervise district speech staff and supervise assistants
- Plan and participate in recruitment and selection of speech staff
EXPECTATIONS OF MENTAL DEMANDS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS: The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
- Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment including computer and peripherals; standard instructional equipment; other specialized and adaptive equipment used by students
- Posture: Frequent standing; kneeling/squatting bending/stooping pushing/pulling and twisting
- Motion: Frequent walking and reaching
- Lifting: Frequent light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds); heavy lifting 45 pounds or over) and positioning or students with physical disabilities controlling behavior through physical restraint assisting nonambulatory students and lifting and moving adaptive and other classroom equipment
- Environment: Work inside and outside (exposure to sun heat cold and inclement weather); exposure to noise; exposure to biological hazards (body fluids bacteria communicable diseases)
- Mental Demands: Work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress
- Professional Dress: Dress must be clean neat in a manner appropriate for his or her assignment and in accordance with any additional standards established by his or her supervisor and approved by the Superintendent. During work hours visible body piercings (except earrings) will not be allowed.
EVALUATIONS:
- Performance of this position will be evaluated annually
This document describes the generalpurpose essential functions and responsibilities assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required. The responsibilities listed herein will remain valid until such time as the job description is revised. The employees signature below indicates her/his understanding of and agreement to complete the responsibilities and meet the expectations of mental/physical demands and environmental factors as described.