Speech Therapist

JOB ASSIGNMENT:  School Age – grades K-12

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP:  This position reports to the school age Special Education Program Supervisor and in their absence, to the Director of Special Education and Alternative Placement.

JOB DEFINITION:  The speech therapist will be responsible for a comprehensive speech and language program for individual students and/or groups of students within assigned areas of the CSIU. The therapist will exercise initiative and judgment in providing diagnostic, therapeutic and consultative services to students. The speech therapist will work as a member of a multidisciplinary team in the overall delivery of programs to students.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Evaluates communication skills of school age students.
2. Completes associated documentation including evaluation reports, Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), progress notes, speech reports, progress monitoring, etc.
3. Provides therapy in a variety of settings.
4. Adhere to school district, intermediate unit, and state and federal policies as they pertain to speech and language programs for individual students and/or groups of students within the assigned areas of the CSIU.
5. Develops and follows weekly schedule.
6. Collaborates with other team members, including parents, developing and carrying out IEPs, behavior plans or other goals for best programming for each child.
7. Attend IEP meetings as needed.
8. Develops materials for use by school age staff (i.e., Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECs), augmentative devices, etc.).
9. Prepares lesson plans.
10. Attends in-services programs and conferences to meet to insure current comprehensive knowledge of best practices.
11. Enters daily Itinerant Time Tracker data.
12. Maintains organized records.
13. Updates computer skills as program needs change to include data entry, work processing, Boardmaker, spread sheets, internet use.
14. Provides in-service training as needed.
15. Requisitions materials as budget allows.
16. Evaluates and determines assistive technology skills of each student.

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:   Performs other related duties as assigned by immediate supervisor or designee.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS REQUIRED: 

1. Minimum requirement is a Master’s degree in the area of speech/language.
2. Valid Pennsylvania Speech / Language Impaired teacher certification is required.
3. Currently holding or in the process of obtaining, a Pennsylvania state licensure as a Speech Therapist.
4. Experience with a total communication and variety of assistive communication devices.
5. Experience with early language development is required.
6. Good interpersonal skills, excellent organizational / time management skills and knowledge of typical child development.
7. Ability to accept great cultural diversity required.
8. Must have ability to communicate and work effectively with colleagues, co-workers, community agency personnel, and students/trainees.
9. Requires the ability to develop and maintain positive and collaborative relationships using tact and diplomacy and to remain calm in unpredictable situations.
10. Maintain confidentiality regarding education programs, students and parents at all times adhering to the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) requirements to protect staff and student data

ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY QUALIFICATIONS

• Current, approved Act 34 (PA State Police), Act 151 (PA Child Abuse Registry) and Act 114-FBI Fingerprint clearances are required and must be renewed at appropriate, specific intervals pursuant to Act 153 of 2014 (revised Act 15 of 2015).
• Current, approved Act 126 Mandated Reporter Training certificate showing completion of a minimum of three (3) hours training every five (5) years.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENTS: 

1. Maintain PDE certification requirements of Act 48 hours for the Professional Education Records Management System (PERMS) specific five (5) year periods.
2. Earn Continuing Education hours to maintain professional (ASHA) and/or state licensure.
3. Attend training seminars and in-service programs identified as important to job assignment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

1. Must have strength and ability to lift young children and carry therapy bag up to 50 lbs and with assistance if over 25 lbs).
2. Must be able to negotiate stairs and rough terrain at centers and homes.
3. Must be able assist children with self-help skills.
4. Sedentary: Able to sit for extended periods of time, occasional walking, standing (as necessary). Must tolerate considerable bending, stooping, and squatting.
5. Dexterity: Finger movements (computer keyboard, calculator), eye-hand coordination (office equipment, etc.).
6. Audio-Visual Requirements: Within normal range with or without correction.
7. Is able to move throughout all buildings, floors and grounds.
8. Worksite Environment: Primarily indoors-office setting with occasional exposure to outdoor elements/climate during the day.
9. Mental demands: Steady response to unpredictable situations, ability to remain calm and productive during stressful situations. Demonstrates independent judgment, discretion and is able to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
10. The ability to work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner.
11. Ability to travel to various work site locations and meetings as needed.

TIME AND SITE REQUIREMENTS: 

1. This is a full time, exempt bargaining unit position which follows a 188 day, 7.5 hours per day, over a 12-month period schedule.
2. Attendance at work is a requirement of this position; any and all absences must be approved by the immediate supervisor.
3. Must have the ability to travel to various work locations; and able to arrive at various locations on schedule over a wide geographic area.

CSIU PROPERTY AND CONFIDENTIALITY REQUIREMENTS: 

1. All property, including intellectual property, materials, equipment or actual products and services developed or accrued as part of the job duties and responsibilities listed above, is the property of the CSIU. It may not be used for personal profit or gain and will be relinquished to the CSIU upon termination of employment from the CSIU.
2. The person employed in this position shall maintain confidentiality with regard to the personal and private information about clients and coworkers, programs and services and any other proprietary information accrued as a result of CSIU employment or as required by state or federal laws and regulations.
3. The person employed in this position must adhere to all requirements identified in the code of professionalism entitled "Ambassadors Are Professionals, Too" and CSIU Administrative Regulation 317-AR-1 CSIU Service Standards.

The position holder must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.  It is the responsibility of the employee to inform their supervisor and the director of Human Resources of any and all reasonable accommodations that will be required.

Salary : $55,216 - $71,001