Speech Therapist - Augmentative Communication Specialist - Caddo Parish School District

Caddo Parish Schools Job Description                           

Job Title:            Augmentative Communication

Prepared By:       Nadalie Thomas

Prepared Date:    January 20, 2005

Approved By:     Jan Holliday

Approved Date: January 24, 2005

SUMMARY

Reports to the Related Services Facilitator or Instructional Specialist – Speech Pathology or a designated team facilitator of Pupil Appraisal Services. Implements the speech and language program in accordance with state and local policies. Administers speech and language services in assigned schools in order to promote the optimum speech and language development of each student.

 Please add Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY) and Speech & Language Pathologists Assistants (SLPA's) welcome to apply to the position of Speech and Language Pathologist.   

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Develops performance objectives and prepares a professional growth plan supporting department and school district goals.
• Informs teachers and other faculty members of identifying characteristics of speech and language disorders in order to promote appropriate referrals for screening and assessment.
• Utilizes appropriate methods of screening students.
• Follows established state and local guidelines for referral, screening, assessment and placement of students.
• Compiles and prepares diagnostic reports summarizing assessment results and recommendations for additional services which meet procedural/compliance regulations.
• Utilizes assessment information in developing long and short-term goals and objectives in the individual education plans (IEP) for direct or related services.
• Develops IEP schedules/conducts conferences and can serve as officially designated representative of the school district (ODR).
• Develops and maintains daily written lesson plans for each student to meet desired outcomes and records student response data.

• Creates and maintains a therapeutic environment which encourages student progress.
• Uses therapy methods and materials including augmentative communication strategies/devices geared to the appropriate level of difficulty for students to achieve IEP objectives.
• Plans and implements therapy using appropriate learning principles to develop desired speech and language skills.
• Develops student therapy programs to academic, social and emotional development.
• Demonstrates competence and understanding in diagnosing and appraising communication disorders.
• Utilizes knowledge of state and local guidelines to implement the speech and language program.
• Demonstrates a working knowledge of related disciplines and their impact on student’s speech and language development and skills.
• Demonstrates a working knowledge of the student’s performance in the general education curriculum.
• Exhibits sensitivity, empathy and understanding when dealing with students.
• Communicates with parents and school staff to provide optimum services to students.
• Demonstrates the highest professional standards when dealing with colleagues, parents, students and administrators.
• Manages physical aspects of the therapy room or testing setting to ensure an attractive, orderly learning or testing environment.
• Serves as a member of the School Building Level Screening Committee.
• Prepares a self-evaluation as described in the Performance Evaluation Plan.
• Submits Medicaid billing data in accordance with regulated policies and timelines for Medicaid eligible students.
• Performs supervision duties related to Medicaid billing or state licensure requirements as directed.
• Evaluates, as a pupil appraisal services staff member, in accordance with the guidelines set forth in Bulletin 1508 and the regulations implementing Act 754, those pupils suspected of being in need of special education services.
• The Speech Language Pathologist accepts responsibilities for and performs duties and assignments related to curricular and extra-curricular aspects of the itinerant speech or pupil appraisal assignment as required by the designated supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

A master's degree in audiology and/or speech pathology, or speech communication disorders, with certification by the State Department of Education as a Speech Pathologist or Speech Therapist. Ability to administer and interpret diagnostic instruments designed to identify speech, hearing, or language disorders.

Satisfies requirements for licensure by the Louisiana Board of Examiners for Speech Pathology and Audiology.

Preferred Attainment Level

Satisfies requirements for National Certification Accreditation by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, yielding the Certificate of Clinical Competence.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Ability to relate to and communicate with exceptional children in an accepting and non-biased manner.
• Ability to relate to and verbally communicate with all professional and non-professional contacts on the level of each individual’s ability and level of understanding.
• Ability to effectively communicate in written reports and correspondence information relative to the individual case.
• Ability to plan and organize work assigned in an efficient manner.
• Ability to treat all information in a confidential manner.
• Ability to maintain stability to work effectively under pressure.
• Ability to work effectively and harmoniously with Center Staff, schools, agencies, and the public.
• Neat, well groomed appearance.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here 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 regularly required to sit. The employee frequently is required to talk or hear.

 WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

Employee acknowledges that he/she is required to maintain a high standard of professional conduct. Breach of said professional conduct includes but is not limited to: neglect of duty, dishonesty, engagement in acts that are contrary to CPSB policy, unlawful activities, or any other conduct which is seriously prejudicial to the school system.

CHAIN OF SUPERVISION

Instructional Specialist – Speech Language Pathology, Facilitator of Related Services, School Principal (or designee), or assigned Pupil Appraisal Team Facilitator

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

(172 days), or as assigned