Speech Language Pathologist

 Bayard Public Schools

It is the policy of Bayard Public Schools to not discriminate on the basis of sex, disability, race, color, religion, veteran status, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, or other protected status in its educational programs, admission policies, employment policies or other administered programs.  Persons requiring accommodations to apply and/or be considered for positions are asked to make their request to the Superintendent.

* This Job Description is in addition to and supplements 

the Master Special Education Job Description*

1. Job Title:  Speech Language Pathologist

1. Department:  Special Education

1. Education Level and Certification:  Masters degree in Speech Language Pathology required. Must possess at all times during employment a Nebraska Teaching Certificate with a speech endorsement and such other endorsements as may be required by NDE Rules 10 and 24 or state licensure by the Nebraska Licensure Board, in additional to all other required or assigned certification and training.

1. Reports To:  Special Education Director and Building Principals

1. Required Job Tasks 

1. Monitor students’ progress and adjust treatments accordingly.
2. Evaluate hearing and speech/language test results and medical or background information to diagnose and plan services for speech, language, fluency, voice, and other speech language disorders.
3. Administer hearing or speech and language evaluations, tests, or examinations to students to collect information on type and degree of impairments, using written and oral tests and special instruments.
4. Record information on the initial evaluation, treatment, progress, and discharge of students.
5. Develop and implement treatment plans for problems such as stuttering, delayed language, inappropriate pitch or harsh voice problems, and other speech language disorders, based on own assessments and recommendations of physicians, psychologists, counselors and other professionals as outlined in Rule 51.
6. Develop individual and group programs in schools to deal with speech or language problems.
7. Instruct students in techniques for more effective communication, including sign language, lip reading, and voice improvement.
8. Teach students to control or strengthen tongue, jaw, face muscles, and breathing mechanisms.
9. Develop speech exercise programs to reduce disabilities.
10. Consult with and advise educators and other professionals on speech or hearing topics, such as communication strategies or speech and language stimulation.
11. Advise educators, students and parents in strategies to cope with or avoid communication-related misunderstandings.
12. Design, develop, and employ alternative diagnostic or communication devices and strategies. 
13. Conduct lessons and direct educational or therapeutic games to assist teachers dealing with students with speech problems.
14. Refer the parents and the student as appropriate to additional educational or professional services if needed. 
15. Utilize resources to effectively communicate with others with different communication abilities (e.g. non-English speaking, hearing impaired).

1. Required Knowledge

The Speech Language Pathologist is to possess and effectively utilize knowledge in the following areas:

1. Therapy and Counseling—Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.

1. FLSA Status:  Exempt.  Professional exemption:  The employee has a primary duty of performing work requiring knowledge of an advanced type in a field of science or learning customarily acquired by a prolonged course of specialized intellectual instruction and study or has a primary duty of teaching, tutoring, instructing, or lecturing in the activity of imparting knowledge and is employed and engaged in this activity as a teacher.

1. Essential Functions:  The essential functions of the Speech Language Pathologist position include: (1) regular, dependable in-person attendance on the job; (2) the ability to perform the identified tasks and to possess and utilize the identified knowledge, skills, and abilities and to perform the identified work activities; and, (3) the ability to perform the following identified physical requirements: