Speech Therapist

CLASS TITLE: Speech Therapist

REPORTS TO: Director of Special Education, School Principal

SUPERVISES: N/A

BASIC FUNCTION:

Plan, organize, and provide diagnostic services and therapy for children with speech, hearing, and language disabilities; demonstrate, teach, and instruct pupils in language and speech development processes; perform diagnostic assessment in determining speech and language performance levels; aid in the development of academic, social, behavioral, and other educational skill areas; and do other related functions as required.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:

The terms of employment are designated by the contract.

• Adhere to the Professional Code of Ethics and demonstrate punctuality and regular attendance.
• Consults with effective delivery of speech-language services for students enrolled in the communication disorders program.
• Coordinates ordering, disseminating, and maintaining appropriate assessment and therapy materials and equipment.
• Develops, implements, and monitors innovative programs for speech-language service delivery.
• Develops and maintain resources and staff development programs for speech-language pathologists.

• Provides assessment and programming consultation upon request to school personnel regarding specific students and their communication needs, including augmentative and alternative communication systems.

• Attends ARC meetings as requested.
• Coordinated continued development and implementation of a communication disorders plan for each student.
• Serves as a resource for teachers of students with hearing and speech impairments.
• Monitors contractual audiology services for evaluations and equipment needs, including inventory and repairs.
• Maintains regular attendance.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Principles, theories, methods, techniques, and strategies pertaining to the diagnosis and remediation of speech and language disabilities;
• Developmental, social, and behavior characteristics of students aged 3-21;
• Speech and language remediation goals and objectives, and the trends and research findings of speech and language remediation processes;
• Behavior management and behavior shaping strategies, techniques, and methods;
• Socio-economic, cultural, and language differences of the general school population.

ABILITY TO:

• Plan, organize, develop, and conduct an intensified diagnostic and therapy program for children experiencing speech and language disorders;
• Provide appropriate and effective language and speech therapy experiences for students from a wide range of socio-economic and cultural backgrounds and with varying mental, social, and emotional abilities;
• Effectively assess speech and language disorders and implement sound and appropriate remediation programs;
• Provide a stimulating speech and language therapy environment;
• Perform research and development functions and activities pertaining to speech and language therapy programs, and motivate pupils experiencing speech and language difficulties in the resolution of specific speech disorders.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Work is performed while standing, sitting and/or walking.
• Requires the ability to communicate effectively using speech, vision and hearing.
• Requires the use of hands for simple grasping and fine manipulations.
• Requires bending, squatting, crawling, climbing, reaching.
• Requires the ability to lift, carry, push or pull light weights.

EVALUATION:

• Annual development of Professional Growth Plan;
• Annual evaluation of job performance by supervisor according to district approved evaluation plan.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Master’s Degree in Communication Disorders
• Kentucky Department of Education Certificate for Teachers of Exceptional Children—Speech and Communication Disorders, Grades K-12
• Certificate for Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association