POSITION:                Speech and Language Pathologist

POSITION GUIDE:    Certificated Personnel
                                 9 Months
                                 Bargaining Unit Position
                                 Non – Exempt

FUNCTION: Responsible for the identification, evaluation, and selection of children evidencing speech/language/communication impairments. Provides therapeutic services to children and consultation/collaboration to individuals involved in the educational program of students with speech/language/ communication, handicaps.
The information contained in this job description is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties performed by the individual holding this position may be assigned.

REPORT TO:

Principal
Special Services Coordinator
Assistant Superintendent for Student Services

RELATES TO: Regular/special education teachers
Diagnostic staff
Staff members
Special Services Coordinators
Principals
Parents
JFK and Building Secretaries

SUPERVISES DIRECTLY:

Students enrolled in the Speech and Language
Pathology Program
Children being evaluated while they are with the pathologist
Paraprofessionals
Student teachers/practicum students

SUPERVISES INDIRECTLY: No one, unless specifically assigned

QUALIFICATIONS: Master's Degree in Speech/Language Pathology as of 7/1/72; BA/BS in Speech Pathology prior to 7/1/72 License to practice as a speech/language pathologist in the State of Illinois.
Professional Educator License with Endorsement in Speech and Language Pathologist and Awareness of current trends and practices in the field of speech/language.

 

AUTHORITIES:
1. To organize and implement speech and language services within the assigned school buildings.
2. To evaluate children referred for speech and language evaluations.
3. To participate in the departmental in-service training program and assigned workshops in the areas of speech/language/communication.
4. To collaborate/consult with other professionals as necessary in order to develop programs that will best meet the needs of children being served.
5. To communicate with parents, members of the diagnostic team, and regular /special education staff the findings of speech/language evaluations, and provide recommendations when necessary.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. To complete a screening program for all Kindergarten students in January of each school year, and all children newly enrolled in assigned buildings during the school year.
2. To identify children having communication impairments and declare them eligible for speech/language services.
3. To schedule children for therapy following consultation with classroom teachers.
4. To enroll children in the therapy programs in accordance with rules/regulations governing special education.
5. To make changes in enrollment and schedule as necessary.
6. To initiate and maintain ongoing communication with teachers and parents.
7. To interact with other agencies as appropriate.
8. To perform speech and language evaluations for all children referred by teachers, parents and/or through the Case Action Team.
9. To complete MDC reports for all students evaluated in the areas of speech/language/communication.
10. To complete IEP reports and objectives for all students determined eligible for speech /language services.
11. To submit/maintain written reports in the Speech and Language files in the school (s) assigned.
12. To be an active participant in the Case Action Team by attending scheduled meetings, performing the assigned diagnostics, and attending a child's staffing at the schools assigned, when indicated.
13. To be an active participant in in-service training sessions.
14. To create and maintain a therapy atmosphere conducive to speech and language development as it relates to academic and daily living success.
15. To guarantee that all children have an equal opportunity to speech and language services.
16. To implement programs designed to achieve the educational objectives of the Speech and Language Pathology Department, the Special Services Division and the district.
17. Keep accurate records for each child.
18. Attend meetings called by the Director of Special Services and Coordinator.
19. Other duties as assigned.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS:
1. Strong communication, public relations, and interpersonal skills.
2. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in both oral and written form using a variety of communication techniques and tools to ensure the appropriate flow of information, collaborative efforts, and feedback.
3. Ability to compose correspondence, reports, and/or other required written materials.
4. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret information.
5. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions, inquiries, and/or complaints.
6. Displays courtesy, tact, and respect when dealing with others.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:
Ability to perform basic math using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals consistent with the duties of this position.

REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to interpret a variety of instructions and information furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.  Ability to identify and define the problem(s), collect and analyze data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
1. Maintains appropriate confidentiality.
2. Promotes a harassment-free environment.
3. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships; demonstrates a commitment to teamwork.
4. Ability to learn and utilize office equipment, computers, and software especially as systems are updated.
5. Ability to react well under pressure, handle and balance multiple demands at one time, work with frequent interruptions, and perform duties and tasks at expected levels of professionalism.
6. Extensive knowledge of and ability to perform duties in compliance with all district, Board, state and federal laws, methods, requirements, policies, procedures, and activities pertinent to the duties of this position.
7. Ability to work independently with minimum supervision.
8. Ability to prepare and maintain accurate files and records.
9. Ability to meet strict deadlines.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, talk, and hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters when performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties. Employee experiences constant interruptions and inflexible deadlines. The noise level in this environment is quiet to moderate. Duties are performed primarily indoors and occasionally outdoors. In-district and out-of-town travel required as necessary for training and/or to carry out duties and responsibilities.