Primary Purpose:

Serves as the district’s Lead Speech/Language Pathologist to support the Speech/Language Pathologist and Speech Assistant team.  Plans and provides professional development in the areas of: speech-language pathology services to include speech, voice, language disorders, oral motor, etc.; evaluation of students; provision of therapeutic intervention to eliminate or reduce problems or impairments that interfere with their students’ ability to derive full benefit from the educational program. Supports the implementation of Assistive Technology services/devices to eligible students and education professionals to enable students to participate in the educational process as independently as possible.

QUALIFICATIONS 

Education / Certification:

1. Master’s Degree.
2. Masters Level Speech Language Pathologist Certification required.
3. Special Education experience is required.
4. Minimum of three years of experience as Speech Language Pathologist preferred.
5. Assistive Technology background and/or certificate.

Special Knowledge / Skills:

1. Knowledge of current evaluation procedures.
2. Ability to interpret and report evaluation data effectively.
3. Effective interpersonal and conflict resolution skills.
4. Knowledge in the administration of evaluations.
5. Knowledge of IDEIA and TEA Special Education rules and regulations.
6. Knowledge/familiarization of Assistive Technology regulations and procedures relating to Federal/State mandates.
7. Knowledge/familiarization of Assistive Technology devices/services/evaluation procedures.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Evaluation

1. Provide training/support to District Speech/Language Pathologists and Assistants in the evaluation of students and development of IEP’s.
2. Provide guidance in district expectation/process to assess student progress on speech IEP’s.
3. Select and administer formal and informal evaluations to determine student eligibility for speech services according to federal and state rules and regulations.
4. Compile and evaluate comprehensive student information including classroom observations; interview with student, teacher(s), parent(s), and others; and relevant evaluation data from the student’s cumulative folder.
5. Participate in the Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) Committee to assist with interpretation of evaluation data, appropriate placement, and development of Individual Education Plans (IEP) for students with special needs when requested.

Consultation

1. Provide professional learning opportunities on assigned topics to assist in the identification of students with special needs.
2. Provide training and technical support to Speech/Language Pathologists regarding data collection and implementation of the IEP.
3. Provide training for campus Speech/Language Pathologists to ensure evaluations and ARD paperwork are completed within required timelines.
4. Conduct routine and ongoing meetings/trainings with the Speech Language Pathology teams: legal requirements, district expectations, technical issues within the field, programs utilized by the district (i.e. Medicaid, student management, IEP management), etc.

Program Management

1. Provide support to campus personnel in the selection of evaluation materials, equipment, and instructional materials.
2. Develop and coordinate an ongoing evaluation of the district speech program and recommend changes based on findings.
3. Comply with policies established by federal and state law, State Board of Education rules, and local policy.
4. Comply with all district and local campus routines, expectations, and regulations.

 Assistive Technology Related to Augmentative Communication

1. Provide training on Assistive Technology devices/methods.
2. Provide training/consultation/collaboration with the Speech Language Pathology team regarding procedures, devices, data collection and methodology.
3. Interface with vendors for obtaining/training of devices.
4. Collaborate with the Director of Special Education for funding of Assistive Technology.
5. Provide technical assistance as needed.
6. Attend ARDs by request to address Assistive Technology reports/concerns.
7. Complete Assistive Technology evaluations upon request.

Administration

1. Provide support to campus personnel in the selection of evaluation materials, equipment, and instructional materials.
2. Develop and coordinate an ongoing evaluation of the district speech program and recommend changes based on findings.
3. Comply with policies established by federal and state law, Commissioner’s Rules, and local board policy.
4. Comply with all district and campus routines and regulations.
5. Effectively communicate with colleagues, students and parents.
6. Participate in professional development activities to improve skills related to job assignment.
7. Responsible for properly maintaining district records, adhering to all policies set forth by the district for records maintenance and learning the records retention schedule for department records.
8. Utilizes data to determine caseload assignments for Speech Language Pathologists/Speech Language Pathology Assistants
9. Designates supervision for Speech Language Pathology Assistants, Clinical Fellowship Year, or other situations requiring supervision.
10. Completes annual evaluation for Speech Language Pathologist/Speech Language Pathology Assistant Team
11. Performs additional tasks and duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

May direct and monitor the work of speech-language pathology team.

Working Conditions:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Maintain emotional control under stress.
2. Regular district-wide travel to multiple work locations as assigned.
3. Frequent standing, stooping, bending, reaching, pulling, pushing, heavy lifting, and moderate carrying.
4. May be required to lift and transfer students to and from wheelchair or assist with positioning students with physical disabilities.
5. Potential exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens.
6. Work with frequent interruptions.
7. Occasional prolonged or irregular hours of work.