Speech and Language Therapist ('25-'26 SY)

Job Description

Job DescriptionDescription:

Northwood Academy Charter School

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position: Speech and Language Therapist

Department: Education

Reports To: Assistant Principal Specialized Services

FLSA Status: Full-Time

Direct Reports: None

Last Revised: 09/2024

Position Summary:

The role of the Speech and Language Therapist is to provide evaluation and intervention (consult or direct) to enhance the student’s level of communicative functioning in order for him/her to participate in the school environment, and to ensure a free and appropriate public education to those students who are eligible.

Essential Accountabilities:

• Participates in developing Individual Education Plans (IEPs), including measurable goals and objectives for each student’s needs as applicable to the educational setting.
• Identifies/selects appropriate materials and equipment for therapy.
• Establishes schedules for therapy sessions.
• Establishes and maintains effective and efficient record keeping procedures.
• Maintains accurate daily records and data collection to document students’ attendance and progress.
• Manages time, materials, and equipment effectively.
• Creates materials for students who have very specialized needs.
• Establishes and maintains a positive, organized, and safe environment for students.
• Uses technology resources effectively.
• Participates in all pre-referral and referral procedures as required by NACS.
• Conducts comprehensive evaluations and completes progress reports.
• Re-evaluates short-term objectives and writes new ones as needed.
• Uses standardized instruments, clinical judgment, and teacher-parent input to screen, evaluate, and reassess students’ needs.
• Implements Plan of Care with specific instructions to students, parents, teachers, and other professionals on the interdisciplinary team.
• Provides therapeutic intervention for Speech and Language Communication Disorders.
• Attends and participates in IEP meetings.
• Provides direct speech therapy using materials specific to the communication disorder(s). Provides functional suggestions to teachers and parents regarding the student’s therapy program.
• Provides for student services as recommended in the IEP.
• Recognizes overt indicators of student distress or abuse and takes appropriate intervention, referral, or reporting action concerning services.
• Communicates effectively, both orally and in writing, with other professionals, students, parents, and community agencies.
• Consults with IEP case manager prior to all evaluations/eligibilities/dismissals of students with communication disorders.
• Attends IEP meetings and other student-related conferences as determined necessary. Provides families, employees, and other professionals with consultation and instruction in therapy techniques to establish carry-over into daily activities, which ultimately would affect students’ performance in the academic and community settings.
• Consults with teachers, parents, and other IEP committee members to ensure that students’ needs are being met.
• Participates in training sessions, conferences, and workshops to keep abreast of current practices, programs, and legal issues while maintaining professional certification and/or licensure.
• Promotes and supports the professional growth of self and others.
• Maintains a network of peer contacts through professional organization.
• Models professional and ethical conduct at all times.
• Performs all professional responsibilities.
• Prepares required reports and maintains all appropriate records.
• Maintains confidentiality of student and other professional information.
• Complies with policies, procedures, and programs.
• Ensures that student growth/achievement is continuous and appropriate for age groups and student program classification.
• Establishes and maintains a positive collaborative relationship with students’ families to increase student achievement.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education/Experience:

• Master’s Degree in Speech Language Pathology from an accredited educational institution. Certificate of Clinical Competence preferred.
• Possess a Pennsylvania License or Pennsylvania Teaching Certificate to practice Speech Language Pathology.
• One (1) year of experience in an educational setting is preferred.

Qualifications:

• Requires professional knowledge of the theories, terminology, principles, and techniques of Speech Language Pathology.
• Requires the ability to consult and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with parents, students, teachers, and colleagues.
• Requires the ability to perform professional-level work dealing with data, people, and technology that relates to technical, scientific, or legal skills.
• Requires the ability to make decisions that impact how the unit provides services and support to internal and external customers.
• Requires the ability to use small office equipment and computers.

Working Conditions:

Employees may be subject to work environments that have exposure to weather or interiors with extremes of heat and/or cold, wet and/or humid conditions, high noise levels, and various work-related hazards.

Physical Requirements:

There are physical aspects of this position to successfully carry out essential job functions such as the ability to lift or carry supplies and equipment up to 30 pounds. The employee must have the ability to carry out non-violent crisis intervention strategies. Employees must be able to sit, stand, bend, pull, see, hear, and speak daily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable a person with a disability to perform the essential job duties.

Requirements: