GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Speech Language Pathologists provide appropriate speech-language services in Pre-K, elementary, middle, and high schools with no school level underserved. They work with students exhibiting the full range of communication disorders, including those involving language, articulation (speech sound disorders), fluency, voice/resonance, and swallowing. Myriad etiologies may be involved. SLPs address personal, social/emotional, academic, and vocational needs that have an impact on attainment of educational goals.

SLPs provide a distinct set of roles based on their focused expertise in language. They offer assistance in addressing the linguistic and metalinguistic foundations of curriculum learning for students with disabilities, as well as other learners who are at risk for school failure, or those who struggle in school settings. SLPs collaborate and consult with educators, families, and other professionals to help create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments for students.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Speech Language Pathologists provide a comprehensive range of services as described in the current standards from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). They help students meet district and state performance standards. SLPs function as part of the district’s Student Support Services Team. This team collaboratively provides a multi-tiered system of supports through the implementation and monitoring of evidence-based behavioral and academic interventions for all students in need. The services provided reflect the specific needs of the students, families, and schools served and address the non-exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, expectations, and essential functions indicated below.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

An employee hired for this assignment may perform all or some of the responsibilities defined below:

• Follow federal and state laws/requirements, along with district policies, procedures, and processes regarding special education and tiered interventions framework
• Conduct individualized assessments, analyze and interpret results, and write comprehensive evaluation/re-evaluation reports used for determining eligibility for special education services
• Work collaboratively within the team for the support of students at risk for failure in schools and those who are eligible for special education
• Provide individual/small group treatment in articulation, language, fluency, voice and hearing impaired and adjust services accordingly as needed
• Provide services to students eligible for special education services, across all categories including preschool and up to age 21
• Administer standardized and supplemental assessments for the purpose of determining essential IEP goal statements and related service needs
• Conduct assessments in collaboration with others and analyze assessment data for the purpose of determining eligibility, in compliance with state law, and designing intervention strategies to minimize adverse impacts on student success
• Plan and implement interventions for eligible students within the total educational setting, and work collaboratively with students and teachers, as appropriate, to facilitate the implementation
• Collaborate and consult with parents, teachers, administration, team members, and other professionals, for the purpose of communicating information, resolving issues, developing plans for service and providing services in conformance with established guidelines
• Maintain physical and electronic records, including progress reports, activity logs, billing information, treatment plans, required documentation, quarterly reports, and screening results; for the purpose of ensuring the availability of information as required for reference and compliance
• Participate as a member of the evaluation team and individualized education program team for the purpose of presenting evaluation results, developing treatment plans, and/or providing training to parents/students/staff for the improvement of speech and language programs, services and instruction
• Actively participate in department, IEP team, and, as requested, other meetings, and attend District trainings for the purpose of conveying and receiving information
• Provide direct and consultative therapy services to eligible children that is appropriate to the child’s circumstances, including treatment plans, interventions, and educational material; for the purpose of minimizing the adverse impact of communication disorders consistent with evidence-based practices and in compliance with established guidelines
• Research resources and methods, including community resources, communication disorders, interventions, treatment techniques, and assessment methods/tools for the purpose of determining the appropriate approach for addressing student needs
• Respond to inquiries from parents, teachers, staff, and students, for the purpose of providing information, recommendations, and referrals
• Transport supplies and equipment to a variety of sites to ensure the availability of supplies and resources for service delivery
• Work collaboratively with SSS team, school personnel, families, and community agencies in obtaining appropriate programming for communication disabled students through evaluations, consultations, therapy, and demonstration of teaching relating to individual students
• Ensure continuity and coordination of speech and language services in assigned school(s) by providing interoffice communication and relations with special education team members and other special education programs
• Employ a continuum of service delivery models in the least restrictive environment for student with disabilities and provide services to other students as appropriate
• Actively participate in district/building Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)
• Organize and prioritize daily, weekly, and monthly schedules for timely work completion
• Provide specific recommendations in evaluation reports, based on student strengths and needs as determined by assessment, discussion, and observation
• Collaborate with others in developing social, academic, and/or functional interventions and supports for students
• Effectively communicate in writing and verbally with others
• Maintain highest degree of confidentiality, per FERPA guidelines
• Participate in building-level intervention and special education meetings
• Consult with support agencies, and refer students/families as needed
• Provide professional development, as needed, on topics related to students with disabilities, intervention, behavioral needs, communication needs, augmentative/alternative communication, etc.
• Gather and interpret data to determine program efficacy and recommend adjustments or changes to department administration, as requested
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Each position within the Student Support Services Department serves as one unit of the whole team.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of: Current standards of practice from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association; OSPI rules and regulations regarding ESA speech language pathologist certification, along with the OSPI Code of Professional Conduct and generally recognized professional practices.

Ability to: Communicate clearly and effectively in both verbal and written communications; use email to receive District communication; utilize technology and software to complete duties and responsibilities; maintain emotional control under stress; work with multiple deadlines and frequent interruptions is required. Ability to work alone and in a team setting; maintain good rapport with supervisors, colleagues, students, and families. Visual acuity and hearing are required for the delivery of assessment, intervention, and consultation services.

MENTAL DEMANDS

Required to regularly engage in problem solving and decision making; deal with a wide range of behaviors and needs in a positive and service-oriented manner; may experience shifts in work schedule and/or work site according to student/district needs; sustain mental awareness while also maintaining attention to details and safety requirements; may occasionally deal with distraught or difficult adults and children.

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, walk, and/or stand for extended periods of time

• Amount of sitting, standing and walking may vary depending on projects/tasks. Generally, the job requires 50% sitting, 30% walking, and 20% standing
• May be exposed to visual display terminal for prolonged periods
• The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: the employee is regularly required to talk and hear, sit, stand, walk, bend at neck and back, twist body, use hands to push/pull and lift/carry, squat, kneel, stoop, and crouch. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions, duties, and responsibilities of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee often remains indoors, however, may occasionally work in outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. May experience shifts in work schedule and/or work site according to student/district needs.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Valid Washington State ESA Speech Language Pathologist Certificate
• Must have and maintain a valid Washington State Driver License
• Certificate of Clinical Competency or ability to attain desirable
• Washington State Department of Health License and a National Provider Identification Number desirable
• Previous experience with consultation activities/roles preferred
• Experience with sign language and augmentative communication systems/work with nonverbal students preferred
• Previous experience as a speech language pathologist or in a closely-related field within public education preferred

CLEARANCES

• WSP/FBI criminal history background clearance

EVALUATION

The employee shall be evaluated per the terms of the Cheney Education Association (CEA) Collective Bargaining Agreement by the department director, building principal, or designee. The process shall include an evaluation of the employee’s performance of the above Duties and Responsibilities, Essential Functions, and Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

CONTINUING EDUCATION/TRAINING

• Must maintain valid Washington State ESA Speech Language Pathologist Certificate
• Must complete school safety training prior to deadline indicated within system and annually thereafter
• Attend designated trainings as specified by department director(s) and/or supervisor in order to maintain knowledge/skills
• Submit current/renewed certificates/licenses to Human Resources upon attaining

HISTORY

Job description updated: March 2024

Cheney Public Schools does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, economic status, pregnancy, familial status, marital status, disability, or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions: Title IX/Chapter 28A.640 Officer/Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator/ADA Coordinator - Tom Arlt, Assistant Superintendent, Cheney School District, 12414 S. Andrus Rd. Cheney, WA 99004 Phone: (509) 559-4550; Section 504 Coordinator - Franklin Day, Director of Student Support Services, Cheney School District, 12414 S. Andrus Rd., Cheney, WA 99004 Phone: (509) 559-4507.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER