Speech Language Pathologist

School Year:
2024 - 2025

Working Calendar Days:
207 Days

Salary Range:
See Professional/Technical & Administration Salary Placement Schedule

Benefited Status:
Benefited Position - Tier 1

Purpose Statement
The job of Speech Language Pathologist is done for the purpose/s of providing support to the instructional process with specific responsibilities for identifying students with communication disabilities; planning and implementing appropriate treatment plans to minimize adverse impact on student success; recommending treatment plans; and providing supervision to Paraprofessionals and/or Speech Language Pathologist Assistants.

This job reports to Director of Exceptional Student Services

Essential Functions

• Assesses students' communication skills (e.g. articulation, fluency, voice, expressive and receptive language, etc.) for the purpose of identifying communication disorders, determining program eligibility and developing recommendations for treatment.
• Collaborates with a variety of groups and/or individuals (e.g. parents, teachers, physicians, administration, team members, other professionals, etc.) for the purpose of communicating information, resolving issues and providing services in compliance with established guidelines.
• Conducts in-service training programs for District staff for the purpose of providing information and enhancing professional development
• Coordinates meetings and processes for eligible students (e.g. testing/screening, IEPs, parent conferences, pre-referral staffing, etc.) for the purpose of presenting evaluation results, developing treatment plans, and/or providing training to parents/students/staff.
• Develops treatment plans, interventions and/or educational materials for the purpose of minimizing the adverse impact of communication disorders in compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Instructs assigned support staff for the purpose of providing information on communicative disorders, use of assistive devices and feeding techniques and/or implementing prescribed treatment plans.
• Instructs eligible students in the use of appropriate communication technologies (e.g. hearing aids, FM systems, augmentative communication devices, etc.) for the purpose of minimizing the adverse educational impact of communication disorders in accordance with established guidelines and legal requirements.
• Interprets data (e.g. medical, testing, treatment, etc.) for the purpose of providing information and/or ensuring that treatment/intervention plans are appropriate.
• Maintains files and/or records (e.g. progress reports, activity logs, billing information, IEPs, screening results, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring the availability of information as required for reference in accordance with District guidelines and legal requirements.
• Participates in meetings, workshops, and seminars (e.g. training, IEPs, Student Assistance Team, etc.) for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information.
• Performs site visits at multiple work sites for the purpose of providing therapy and assistance as required.
• Prepares a wide variety of written materials (e.g. activity logs, correspondence, memos, treatment plans, Medicaid billings, reports, required documentation, etc.) for the purpose of documenting activities, providing written reference, and/or conveying information.
• Provides speech and language therapy to students in accordance with mandated timelines, district procedures and state and federal requirements for the purpose of implementing IEPs in compliance within established guidelines and minimizing the adverse impact of speech and language disorders on student success.
• Reports health and safety issues to assigned administrator and appropriate agencies (e.g. fights, suspected child or substance abuse, inappropriate social behavior, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining students personal safety, a positive learning environment and complying with regulatory requirements and established guidelines.
• Researches resources and methods (e.g. intervention and treatment techniques, assessment tools and methods, community resources, best practices, etc.) for the purpose of determining the appropriate approach for addressing students' needs.
• Responds to inquiries (e.g. parents, teachers, staff, students, etc.) for the purpose of providing information and/or referral as appropriate.
• Schedules student therapies for the purpose of directing services in a timely manner.
• Submits Medicaid billings for the purpose of conforming to established District policies and requirements.
• Supervises others (e.g. paraprofessionals, speech language assistants, students, etc.) for the purpose of monitoring performances and/or conforming to legal requirements.
• Assesses students' communication skills (e.g. articulation, fluency, voice, expressive and receptive language, etc.) for the purpose of identifying communication disorders, determining program eligibility and developing recommendations for treatment.
• Collaborates with a variety of groups and/or individuals (e.g. parents, teachers, physicians, administration, team members, other professionals, etc.) for the purpose of communicating information, resolving issues and providing services in compliance with established guidelines.
• Conducts in-service training programs for District staff for the purpose of providing information and enhancing professional development.
• Coordinates meetings and processes for eligible students (e.g. testing/screening, IEPs, parent conferences, pre-referral staffing, etc.) for the purpose of presenting evaluation results, developing treatment plans, and/or providing training to parents/students/staff.
• Develops treatment plans, interventions and/or educational materials for the purpose of minimizing the adverse impact of communication disorders in compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Instructs assigned support staff for the purpose of providing information on communicative disorders, use of assistive devices and feeding techniques and/or implementing prescribed treatment plans.
• Instructs eligible students in the use of appropriate communication technologies (e.g. hearing aids, FM systems, augmentative communication devices, etc.) for the purpose of minimizing the adverse educational impact of communication disorders in accordance with established guidelines and legal requirements.
• Interprets data (e.g. medical, testing, treatment, etc.) for the purpose of providing information and/or ensuring that treatment/intervention plans are appropriate.
• Maintains files and/or records (e.g. progress reports, activity logs, billing information, IEPs, screening results, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring the availability of information as required for reference in accordance with District guidelines and legal requirements.
• Participates in meetings, workshops, and seminars (e.g. training, IEPs, Student Assistance Team, etc.) for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information.
• Performs site visits at multiple work sites for the purpose of providing therapy and assistance as required.
• Prepares a wide variety of written materials (e.g. activity logs, correspondence, memos, treatment plans, Medicaid billings, reports, required documentation, etc.) for the purpose of documenting activities, providing written reference, and/or conveying information.
• Provides speech and language therapy to students in accordance with mandated timelines, district procedures and state and federal requirements for the purpose of implementing IEPs in compliance within established guidelines and minimizing the adverse impact of speech and language disorders on student success.
• Reports health and safety issues to assigned administrator and appropriate agencies (e.g. fights, suspected child or substance abuse, inappropriate social behavior, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining students personal safety, a positive learning environment and complying with regulatory requirements and established guidelines.
• Researches resources and methods (e.g. intervention and treatment techniques, assessment tools and methods, community resources, best practices, etc.) for the purpose of determining the appropriate approach for addressing students' needs.
• Responds to inquiries (e.g. parents, teachers, staff, students, etc.) for the purpose of providing information and/or referral as appropriate.
• Schedules student therapies for the purpose of directing services in a timely manner.
• Submits Medicaid billings for the purpose of conforming to established District policies and requirements.
• Supervises others (e.g. paraprofessionals, speech language assistants, students, etc.) for the purpose of monitoring performances and/or conforming to legal requirements.
• Transports supplies and equipment to a variety of sites for the purpose of ensuring the availability of items as needed.

Other Functions

• Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
  SKILLS are required to perform multiple, highly complex, technical tasks with a need to occasionally upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: applying assessment instruments; operating specialized equipment used in the treatment of communication disorders; operating standard office equipment including pertinent computer software; preparing and maintaining accurate records.
  KNOWLEDGE is required to perform algebra and/or geometry; review and interpret highly technical information, write technical materials, and/or speak persuasively to implement desired actions; and analyze situations to define issues and draw conclusions.  Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: anatomy and physiology of speech and hearing mechanisms and disorders; principles and practices of speech and language therapy; pertinent codes, policies, regulations and/or laws.
  ABILITY is required to schedule activities, meetings, and/or events; gather, collate, and/or classify data; and use job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to independently work with others in a wide variety of circumstances; work with data utilizing defined but different processes; and operate equipment using standardized methods. Ability is also required to work with a significant diversity of individuals and/or groups; work with data of widely varied types and/or purposes; and utilize job-related equipment. Independent problem solving is required to analyze issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data frequently requires independent interpretation of guidelines; and problem solving with equipment is significant. Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: adapting to changing work priorities; communicating with diverse groups; utilizing specialized equipment in communication disorders; maintaining confidentiality; meeting deadlines and schedules; working as part of a team; working with detailed information/data; maintaining effective working relationships; a keen sense of hearing; and translating therapy data into meaningful educational activities.

Responsibility
Responsibilities include: working under limited supervision using standardized practices and/or methods; directing other persons within a small work unit; operating within a defined budget. utilization of some resources from other work units is often required to perform the job's functions. There is a continual opportunity to impact the organization’s services.

Working Environment

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling,  some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 70% sitting, 25% walking, and 5% standing.  The job is performed under minimal temperature variations and under conditions with exposure to risk of injury and/or illness.

Experience   Job related experience within a specialized field is required.

Education     Masters degree in job-related area.

Equivalency:
Certificates                                                    Continuing Educ./Training
Arizona Department of Health License           ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competency
ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competency       Maintains Certificates and/or Licenses

Clearances
Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background
Clearance

FLSA Status                   Approval Date                   
Exempt                             May 14, 2014