Speech Pathologist - #1022

GATEWAY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

JOB DESCRIPTION:
SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPIST/PROGRAM SPECIALIST
Certificated Salary Schedule Appendix A


DEFINITION
Under the direction of the Director Special Education, provide consultation and technical assistance to personnel concerning special education programs and related standards and requirements; plan, organize and conduct training sessions for teachers and other personnel regarding various special education functions; coordinate resources, information and communications to assure smooth and efficient special education programs and activities. Provide Speech and Language services to students. Perform other related functions as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This position requires expertise in speech and language assessment and development and special education standards and requirements. This is a sedentary position classification that involves performing light work and sitting a portion of the time, but does require walking and standing for extended periods. This position requires accurate perceiving of sound, near and far vision, depth perception, handling and working with educational and speech and language development materials, and providing highly technical oral and written information.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable a person with a disability to perform the essential functions of the job.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
•Perform diagnostic assessments of pupil speech and language development using standardized tests and developmental speech and language inventories.
•Consult with teachers regarding pupils' speech and language status and manage¬ment of needs in classroom setting.
•Confer with parents regarding speech and language status and management and coordinates parent activities in relation to classroom and therapy instruc¬tional processes.
•Confer with instructional staff in the assessment and remediation of speech and language disabilities.
•Provide individual and group stimulation of speech and language abilities, utilizing behavior modification, oral facilitation, phonemic vocalization, vocabulary develop¬ment, auditory memory, and expressive language.
•Maintain clinical file recordings of speech and language evaluation information, observations, and recommendations for the remediation of speech and language disabilities.
•Support students in a variety of educational settings with technology support and equipment.
•Ability to train staff and parents on appropriate interventions for students.
•Development of picture schedules.
•Utilize a variety of instructional aids and equipment in remedying speech and hearing disabilities and may demonstrate uses of the instructional materials and equipment to instructional personnel.
•Evaluate students experiencing speech and language difficulties and reports therapy progress to the instructional staff and to parents.
•Provide consultation and technical assistance to personnel concerning special education.
•Respond to inquiries, resolve issues and conflicts and provide detailed and technical information concerning special education operations, activities, functions and related laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures.


Gateway Unified School District

SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPIST/PROGRAM SPECIALIST - Page 2

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (cont.)
•Monitor and evaluate special education programs and services for effectiveness and operational efficiency; provide recommendations concerning the development and implementation of programs.
•Plan, organize and conduct training sessions for teachers, personnel and parents regarding various special education functions such as behavior management, assistive technology, augmentative communication, curriculum development and low incidence disabilities.
•Organize and participate in a variety of activities to enhance teacher and staff understanding of educational practices, instructional material guidelines and requirements, student placement, assessment, instructional strategies related to special education programs.
•Operate a variety of office, instructional and specialized equipment related to assigned special education programs and services including a computer and assigned software; drive a vehicle to conduct work.
•Attend and participate in a variety of meetings as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
•Principles, theories, methods, techniques, and strategies pertaining to the diagnosis and remediation of speech and language disabilities;
•Developmental, social, and behavior characteristics of 3 to 5 year old students;
•Speech and language remediation goals and objectives, and the trends and research findings of speech and language remediation processes;
•Behavior management and behavior shaping strategies, techniques, and methods;
•Socio-economic, cultural, and language differences of the general school population;
•Instructional techniques and strategies related to special education programs including speech and language interventions;
•Oral and written communication skills;
•Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary;
•Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy;
•Record-keeping and report preparation techniques;
•Operation of a computer and assigned software;
•Technical aspects of field of specialty;
•Background in working with 3 to 5 year old population.

Ability to:
•Plan, organize, develop, and conduct an intensified diagnostic and therapy program for children experiencing speech and language disorders;
•Provide appropriate and effective language and speech therapy experiences for students from a wide range of socio-economic and cultural backgrounds and with varying mental, social, and emotional abilities;
•Effectively assess speech and language disorders and implement sound and appropriate remediation programs;
•Provide a stimulating speech and language therapy environment;
•Perform research and development functions and activities pertaining to speech and language therapy programs, and motivate pupils experiencing speech and language difficulties in the resolution of specific speech disorders.




Gateway Unified School District

SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPIST/PROGRAM SPECIALIST - Page 3

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and skill is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and skill would be:

Experience:
•Successful completion of a speech and language clinical experience at a recognized college or university, or two years of speech and language service in private practice or in the field of public education.
•Preschool background desired.

Education:
•Possession of an earned baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited college or university, with emphasis in speech and language disorders, psychology, linguistics, and language development. •Master's Degree preferred

Certification Requirement
Possession of a valid California credential authorizing service as a speech and language therapist.





Board approved: 6/21/06

Salary : $68,638 - $123,511