Speech & Language Pathologist

Dedham Middle School - Speech Language Pathologist

Qualifications:

• Masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology required.
• Massachusetts DESE Certification and Licensure.
• Successful experience as a speech and language pathologist including performing assessments using a variety of standardized protocols and participation in meetings.
• Successful experience meeting the needs of a diverse student population.
• Knowledge of state and federal special education regulations.
• Effective organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to collaborate and communicate positively and effectively with administrators colleagues parents/guardians and others in the delivery of effective services.

Responsible to: Principal Special Education Team Leader and Director of Special Education

Primary Functions: Providing diagnostic and intervention services for students with speech language and hearing disorders helping students to access the general education curriculum.

Major Responsibilities:

1.0 Program Administration

2.0 Direct Instruction

3.0 Assessment/Pre-referral

4.0 Professional Expectations

5.0 Other

Details:

Program Administration

• Communicate and coordinate with building Principal and/or Special Education Team Leader to ensure school mission philosophy and procedures are embraced.
• Discuss students progress with parents teachers counselors and administrators.
• Assist and guide teachers in observing describing and referring suspected and identified speech and language delays/disorders.
• Consult with teaching teams to develop and implement curricular modifications and appropriate classroom strategies such as visual supports oral motor exercises language strips topics of conversation and data collection.
• Collaborate with professional staff regarding their specific teaching therapeutic and supervisory responsibilities.
• Collaborate with Principals and Educational Team Leader to develop individual schedules to ensure compliance and most effective instruction.
• Collaborate with Principal and Educational Team Leader to support co-teaching models that provide inclusion experiences for students within the program.
• Ensure the implementation of administrative procedures related to SPED Powerschool; maintenance and security of student records for caseload.
• Collaborate with service providers including but not limited to: school psychologists school counselors speech and language specialists physical therapists occupational therapists vision/mobility therapists BCBAs.

Direct Instruction

• Provide high quality direct speech-language services to students according to students IEPs and/or 504 Plans.
• Plan prepare and teach lessons and activities as a class in small groups and 1:1 as needed in accordance with IEPs/Service Plans.
• Work cooperatively with other specialists/teachers to develop curriculum for the improvement of departmentalized educational instruction.
• Promote inclusion and equity of instruction in classrooms by providing services in inclusion settings as appropriate.
• Meet regularly with internal TEAM members regarding issues and concerns around specific student needs.
• Communicate regularly with families regarding service delivery and progress.
• Manage a detailed log of services provided and services missed due to student or therapist absences.
• Complete treatment notes and progress reports in a timely manner and according to school policy and special education regulations.

Assessment/Pre-Referral

• Participate in building-based Student Assistant Team (SATs) and support regulatory pre-referral activities by providing screenings as needed
• Conduct assessments analyze results and write reports to determine strengths and concerns in areas of speech voice fluency pragmatics language and oral motor skills.
• Effectively share results with parents guardians and educational staff and participate in the eligibility determination process in accordance with state and federal requirements.
• Develop treatment plans (IEPs/504 Plans) that are strength-based as well as child and family centered or overall educational improvement.
• Ensure evaluations treatment plans and service delivery are aligned with school state and federal guidelines.

Professional Expectations

• Document all aspects of work with students using Powerschool SPED according to federal and state regulations.
• Comply with all Medicaid requirements for school-based claiming.
• Maintain an inventory of materials assessments and supplies.
• Participate in Team meetings and develop speech and language goals for IEPs throughout the school year that reflect students progress and goals.
• Contribute productively to the school as a whole by attending faculty meetings/in-services/professional development activities as scheduled.
• Support and participate in all mandated DESE monitoring activities as requested; completion of required coursework Coordinated Program Reviews etc.
• Keep abreast of best practices in speech and language therapy and language development.
• Maintain student confidentiality.

Other

• Carries out any other appropriate responsibilities assigned.

Other Responsibilities:

• Strive to improve professional competence.
• Exhibit dependability and punctuality in assigned duties.
• Display appropriate personal and professional traits that exhibit a positive role model for students.
• Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students equipment materials and facilities.
• Strive to achieve the objectives and expectations found in the Teacher Evaluation Handbook.
• Collaborate with other specialists and share pertinent information with building administration and intervention teams.
• Attend meetings as required.
• Complete other duties as assigned by the Superintendent or his/her designee.