Job Title: Speech Language Pathology Assistant
| Reports to: | Site Administrator |
| Job Group: | Instructional |
| FLSA: | Exempt |
| Job Code: | 2044 |
| Salary Schedule: | INST |
JOB GOAL
Responsible for assisting Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) to develop, plan, organize, and implement a therapy program to meet the needs of speech, language, and hearing-impaired students, while ensuring that all procedures are followed to maintain safety and security and to meet federal, state, and local regulations.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Collaborate with Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) and District staff to design a therapy program in accordance with District Exceptional Student Education (ESE) programs and the needs of students.
- Assist in evaluating, diagnosing, and treating speech, language, communication, and swallowing disorders based on an assessment of student needs and in accordance with District procedures.
- Assist SLPs in conducting speech, language, and hearing screenings and diagnostic evaluations to students as required to determine the need for clinical services.
- Collaborate with SLPs and District staff to provide therapy to students based on needs outlined in Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), provide schedules for students, and complete appropriate follow-up and documentation related to therapy.
- Differentiate student treatment and therapy based on an assessment of student learning needs and recognition of individual differences in students by applying varied strategies and resources.
- Collaborate with SLPs to develop educational and therapy plans annually for each student based on individually assessed needs, in accordance with District procedures.
- Assist SLPs with conducting an inservice program to inform teachers of the goals and objectives of the ESE program and how to achieve goals in the school setting.
- Participate in the development of student IEPs and implement them as necessary to ensure students’ needs are being met appropriately.
- Participate in the comprehensive evaluation, review, and reevaluation process, the in-school staffing process, and the screening process as appropriate.
- Collaborate with and participate in evaluation teams for speech, language, and hearing-impaired students.
- Assist SLPs with conducting grade-wide hearing screenings once a year in grades stipulated by District procedures; assist with conducting speech and language screenings once a year for all kindergarten students and students not previously enrolled in school.
- Maintain open lines of communication with students, parent(s)/guardian(s), and teachers regarding progress and information to support student needs and services.
- Refer students and parents/guardians to appropriate community agencies and services and collaborate with these agencies and services to meet the needs of students.
- Record, prepare, and maintain required reports and documentation; ensure confidentiality is maintained as required by federal, state, and District policies.
- Maintain a student-centered learning environment that is safe, organized, equitable, flexible, inclusive, and collaborative and accommodates the differing needs of students.
- Follow District policies and procedures concerning education, health, safety, personal information, and the wellbeing of students.
- Maintain required certifications, participate in professional development workshops and in-service training sessions as required, attend required meetings, and keep abreast of current educational trends, laws, regulations, and statutes.
- Maintain the requirements of professional responsibility and ethical conduct by fulfilling expected obligations to students, the public, and the education profession while adhering to all rules and requirements.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
- Comprehensive knowledge of speech, language, hearing, and communication disorders and effective methods of treatment
- Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences, orally and in writing, including electronic media
- Excellent time management skills and ability to organize, prioritize, and manage work assignments in an efficient manner and within established timeframes
- Operating knowledge of computer programs, including email, word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and web-based technologies and platforms
- Ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with all stakeholders
- Ability to effectively engage in the problem-solving process
EDUCATION, TRAINING & EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in the field of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD), or related field
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES & REGISTRATIONS
- Valid and current Florida certification in field, or hold appropriate state license for position
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Valid and current American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC)
- Successful completion of a minimum of 100 hours of supervised fieldwork experience
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
None
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently and/or up to 10 pounds of force as needed to move objects.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
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.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, talk, and hear. The employee occasionally lifts and/or moves up to 50 pounds. Specific vision ability required by this job includes close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Indoors and Outdoors: The worker is subject to both environmental conditions. Activities occur inside and outside.
MACHINES, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT
- Variety of tools, equipment, and resources used in speech-language therapy, including audiometers, etc.
- General office equipment, including personal computers, fax machines, copiers, telephones, etc.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT
Salary and benefits shall be paid consistent with the District’s approved compensation plan. Length of the work year and hours of employment shall be established by the District.
Performance of the job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the School Board’s policy on evaluation of personnel.
Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Pasco County Schools will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to allow them to perform the essential functions of the job when such individuals request an accommodation.
