POSITION SUMMARY:
The Speech
Therapist is responsible for providing comprehensive speech and language
services to meet the needs of students with oral communication and
speech/language impairments. This position is responsible for screening,
evaluation, assessment, diagnosis, goal development, program planning,
remediation and implementation of appropriate speech and language services to
improve students learning in natural environments or that supports student’s
ability to participate in and access the general education curriculum.
DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
Working
with students who cannot make speech sounds, speech rhythm and fluency
problems, voice quality problems, problems understanding and producing
language, cognitive communication impairments, and hearing loss who use hearing
aids or cochlear implants in order to develop auditory skills and improve
communication;
Administering
and interpreting speech language assessments for the purpose of diagnosis and
eligibility decisions;
Participating
in team meetings, including parent conferences;
Assessing,
diagnosing, treating, and helping to prevent speech, language, cognitive,
communication, voice, swallowing, fluency, and other related disorders;
Selecting
augmentative or alternative communication methods for students;
Teaching
students how to make sounds, improve their voices, or increase their language
skills to communicate more effectively;
Helping
students develop, or recover, reliable communication skills so students can
fulfill their educational, vocational, and social roles;
Collaborating
with and providing consultation and support to family members and other
services providers regarding the appropriate implementation of speech language
services identified in Individual Family Service Plans or in Individual
Education Plans.
Evaluating
the functional status of students, designing treatment and providing safe,
effective and efficient therapy to students or infants and toddlers with speech
language impairments;
Interpreting
assessment result to assist in appropriate program planning.
Selecting
and developing appropriate speech language goals, instructional materials and
lesson plans in order to meet students speech language needs;
Selecting,
recommending, and implementing a continuum of speech language services that
facilitates the provision of speech language services in the Least Restrictive
Environment;
Attending
continuing education courses relative to school based practice to insure
maintenance of Maryland State Licensure or American Speech Language Hearing
Association Certification; and
Performing other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Knowledge
of the principles and practices of speech-language pathology as applied to
children in the natural or school environment;
Knowledge
of the normal development of speech language skills;
Knowledge
and skills relative to the selection and use of augmentative communication
devices to enhance a student’s speech language skills;
Ability
to infuse the use of appropriate technology for implementation of speech
language services;
Ability
to maintain accurate, complete records, including but not limited to the
completion of Individual Education Plans, Individual Family Service Plans,
progress reports, related services logs, assessment reports and other documents
as required by program regulations, Board policies, federal, state and local
laws;
Ability
to work effectively with diverse school populations;
Exhibit
excellent oral and written language skills; and
Exhibit
effective human relations skills and leadership qualities.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a
Master’s degree in Speech and Language Pathology; experience providing speech
language therapy in school based setting preferred; experience working
cooperatively with professionals in related disciplines; and skill in working
with parents (i.e., parent counseling, parent training, etc.).
CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Possession
of or are eligible for a Limited or Full License in Speech-Language Pathology
issued by Maryland Department of Mental health and Hygiene; holds or is
eligible for a Professional Certificate appropriate to area of assignment
issued by the Maryland State Department of Education; Certificate of Clinical
Competence in Speech Language Pathology preferred; candidates completing
Clinical Fellowship Year considered.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Providing
supervision of professional students during school based clinical practicum.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by 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.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, talk, hear, walk, sit, and use fingers, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, the ability to adjust focus, and depth perception. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift up to 25 lbs.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
None.