Speech Language Pathologist - Special Education

• Forbes named Mesa Public Schools in their list of 2024 Best Employers in Arizona.
• East Valley Tribune names Mesa Public Schools as Best Place to Work in East Valley for multiple years.

Full-time

Base Salary:

$74212.00

Calendar:

Certified Exempt191 workdays

Benefits:

Sick leave holidays matched retirement through the Arizona State Retirement System health and life insurance

Performance Pay:

Available annually

New Hire Experience:

$500 for each full-time year of certified teaching or verified like experience

New Hire Education:

$65/hour of graduate level credits: MA 60 hours max;$1000 for advanced degrees (PhD. or Ed.D.)

Job Summary:

To evaluate diagnose and provide direct therapy and instruction for students to address articulation deficits voice quality fluency and language disorders.

Candidates must complete anon-lineapplication which requires appropriate Arizona certification valid IVP Arizona fingerprint clearance card evidence of highly qualified status three letters of recommendation and transcript of credits.

Key Responsibilities:

This section outlines the primary duties and key responsibilities required for this role detailing the essential tasks and functions necessary to perform the job successfully with or without reasonable accommodations.

• Provide screening protocol to identify children with speech/language deficits
• Assist and guide teachers in observing and referring students with suspected speech and/or language deficits
• Administer informal diagnostic techniques and formal standardized norm referenced testing instruments to diagnose and identify students with articulation deficits voice fluency and or language disorders
• Provide diagnostic assessment for preschool children referred for evaluation
• Analyze and interpret testing results to determine need for speech-language services
• Develop speech and language treatment plans to include goals objectives methods frequency duration and modifications for regular classroom setting
• Provide a therapeutic program to meet the individual needs of speech/language impaired children
• Develop and maintain a therapeutic environment that promotes learning
• Monitor student learning and pace therapy/instruction accordingly
• Consult with classroom teachers and other staff members to offer suggestions to address speech deficits and determine accommodations within the regular education setting
• Keep meaningful accurate legible ongoing records for individuals receiving speech and language services
• Provide information support and counsel to parents of children who have speech and language deficits
• Provide goals objectives and progress of each student to parents upon request
• Develop and maintain positive interpersonal relationships with students parents teachers support staff and administration
• Maintain documentation of referred screened and eligible students
• Document compile and analyze data to write required reports on speech/language services
• Utilize the District Individualized Education Plan software to write speech and language goals and objectives
• Attend and participate in Individualized Education Plan meetings to provide information make recommendations and coordinate specific learning objectives
• Provide documentation for Medicaid reimbursable services as verification of services provided
• Submit reports for to meet local and state requirements
• Safeguard confidentiality of student records
• Oversee coordinate and plan for speech language pathology assistants as experience allows per Arizona statue
• Serve as an instructional leader in the areas of speech language and oral communication
• Participate in team conferences and decisions regarding student need
• Assists with other assigned duties as appropriate to the area of assignment and Mesa Public Schools

Required Qualifications:

To be eligible for this position an applicant must meet the following required qualifications. Verification of these required qualifications is necessary.

Education:

• Masters Degree in Speech Language Pathology required
• Certificate of Clinical Competence or ASHA recognized Clinical
• Current AZ Department of Health Services Speech and Language Pathology License
• Current AZ Department of Education Certificate

Experience:

• Supervised fieldwork often totaling hundreds of hours in diverse settings such as schools hospitals or clinics
• Knowledge of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and school-based services is often expected.
• Prior experience as a student intern in a school setting is highly valued
• Understanding of the educational system and the ability to collaborate with teachers parents and school staff

Skills & Competencies:

This section outlines the critical skills and competencies required to excel in this role enabling effective performance adaptability and consistent achievement of job responsibilities.

• Models the attributes and skills of the MPS Portrait of a Graduate
• Demonstrates commitment to the MPS Promise that every student is known by name served by strength and need and graduates ready for college career and community.
• Demonstrate knowledge of federal state and local rules regulations and laws
• Proficiency in evaluating speech language voice fluency and swallowing disorders using standardized and informal tools
• Skill in identifying and diagnosing conditions like articulation disorders language delays and pragmatic language impairments
• Utilizing evidence-based practices for speech and language therapy
• Ability to explain complex speech and language concepts to non-specialists including teachers and parents
• Working with children who may face frustration due to communication difficulties requires compassion and understanding
• Balancing a caseload of students scheduling sessions and managing paperwork efficiently
• Staying current with research and trends in speech-language pathology and educational practices

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

This section outlines the work environment and physical conditions associated with this role. It includes information on whether the job involves working in an office classroom or other settings and if there are physical activities like standing walking or lifting.

• Office setting in a district or school building
• Therapy sessions are often conducted in designated speech therapy rooms classrooms or shared office spaces
• Frequent interaction with teachers school psychologists special education staff and administrators
• Typically aligned with the school day and calendar including summer breaks and holidays though additional time may be required for paperwork or meetings
• Ability to move between classrooms therapy rooms and meeting spaces which may require walking across a school campus
• Occasional lifting of materials or therapy equipment (e.g. books AAC devices or visual aids) up to 25lbs

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

Mesa Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal state and local laws regarding equal employment opportunity and anti-discrimination. The District strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees applicants or any other covered persons because of race color religion creed national origin or ancestry ethnicity sex (including gender pregnancy sexual orientation and gender identity) age physical or mental disability citizenship past current or prospective service in the uniformed services genetic information or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal state or local law.

Applicants and employees may contact Human Resources to request reasonable accommodations needed to perform the essential functions of this position.