What are the responsibilities and job description for the Speech Pathologist, Lower School and Deafblind Programs position at Perkins School for the Blind?
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As a Speech & Language Pathologist in our Lower School or Deafblind Programs, you will assess, organize, plan, and implement the delivery of speech & language therapy services for a population of students who have a visual impairment among other neurological, physical, and cognitive disabilities. You will provide direct therapy to students, as well as consultation and in-service training to members of the interdisciplinary program team. You will also be a member of the SLP evaluation team, providing assessments for students with visual impairments traveling to Perkins for evaluations.
Responsibilities:
Provides clinical evaluation services to students referred to the School, including delivery of standardized and non-standardized assessment and development of comprehensive written reports, and acts as liaison between medical specialists and program staff as appropriate.
Reviews medical, family and educational history of the student to assess the student's functioning in order to identify abilities and areas of need; recommends appropriate therapy and develops individual therapeutic objectives for each student referred.
Develops on-going treatment plan for each student receiving speech & language therapy and provides direct speech & language therapy or supervises the delivery of speech & language therapy services as necessary; recommends appropriate adaptive equipment or communication devices and maintains equipment to assure it is in proper working condition.
Participates in program meetings, staff assignments, case reviews, and IEP or ISP meetings and prepares oral or written reports of current progress and needs of students; consults on curriculum development at the request of the program supervisor.
Develops measurable goals and objectives for future programming of individual students in writing and makes scheduling recommendations as appropriate; participates in the screening or evaluations of students referred to Perkins for recommendations or admission.
Participates as a member of a collaborative, interdisciplinary team in developing goals and objectives for current and future programming and communicates these with others to assure continuity of programming.
Maintains current student records for those involved in therapeutic treatment and prepares statistical data regarding service delivery as necessary
Assumes responsibility for the safety and welfare of students; observes and supports students in other situations or settings as needed.
Acts as a liaison between physicians and other outside providers, and Perkins program staff; and obtains pertinent medical and referral information from outside medical teams.
Accompanies students to medical appointments as necessary.
Provides field placement supervision to undergraduate and graduate students when appropriate.
Assists in recruiting and interviewing speech & language pathology applicants and other clinical service providers as requested.
Works within School and Human Resources policies and procedures; adheres to program guidelines for expenditures and maintains appropriate records.
Participates in grant and proposal writing as requested.
Attends professional conferences, seminars and courses for professional development.
Makes professional contributions, such as planning and participating in workshops, delivering presentations at conferences, and preparing articles for publication with the prior approval of the program supervisor and the clinical liaison.
Requests and monitors the ordering of materials, supplies, and equipment.
To perform other related duties and tasks as assigned.
Minimum Requirements:
Master’s degree in Speech & Language Pathology, Communication Sciences & Disorders, or equivalent
Experience working with students with sensory deficits in hearing, vision, multiple impairments or intellectual disabilities, or equivalent combination of education and experience
Ability to complete and maintain First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Automated External Defibrillator (AED), and Safety Care Certifications
Candidates with experience with both low tech and high tech Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is highly preferred.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
Massachusetts Professional Licensure in Speech & Language Pathology
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Licensure
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Membership