Summary:
Under the direction of the assigned supervisor, the Speech-Language Pathologist serves as a member of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team to support the identification, intervention, and education of students with communicative disorders; provides itinerant services at school sites or alternative locations (home or community) to students, including assessment, and/or treatment related to identified speech and language disabilities; and provides consultation and training to staff and parents. The Rincon Valley Union School District is committed to creating an accessible, supportive environment and an educational experience that recognizes diversity and cultural competence as integral components of academic excellence.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Serve as a member of the IEP team serving the needs of students and their families; provide direct and consultative speech/language services to students with mild/moderate or extensive support needs.
- Serve as case manager for speech-only students, including consultation with staff and parents, IEP development and coordination, scheduling meetings, ensuring required staff attendance, and notifying parents.
- Assist, implement, and participate in the development of IEPs and Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSP) for eligible students; adhere to IEP/IFSP timelines and legal requirements.
- Collaborate and consult with the IEP or IFSP team in the evaluation, educational placement and recommendations for teaching strategies and accommodations to address students’ educational needs.
- Determine eligibility for services based on assessment data.
- Evaluate the health and developmental status of students with a culturally sensitive lens.
- Interpret professional findings to the IEP team and make recommendations to parents, staff, and administrators with a culturally sensitive lens.
- Develop and maintain a data collection system to substantiate student progress toward IEP goals; communicate student progress to families and staff.
- Enter IEP services into the special education information system (currently SEIS).
- Conduct comprehensive speech and language assessments using standardized tests, observation and/or clinically derived instruments to determine present levels of performance, measurable goals and objectives, and appropriate interventions for students from birth through age 13.
- Assess family social needs and assist families in meeting the individual needs of students.
- Design and deliver in-service training related to speech/language development, speech- language impairments, use of augmentative/alternative communication systems and other related topics to staff and parents.
- Support instructional staff in the development and implementation of individualized student communication systems and classroom wide visual supports.
- Collaborate with classroom teachers in planning the work of instructional assistant(s) related to student needs.
- Plan and prepare for therapy sessions; monitor student responses to interventions and modify strategies as necessary.
- Respond to inquiries and provide information concerning program services; provide referrals to outside agencies as appropriate.
- Prepare and maintain in a timely manner, records including school health records, Medi- Cal billing and a variety of other written reports in compliance with department, agency, county, and state requirements.
- Prepare and maintain a current work schedule.
- Attend and participate in a variety of meetings, committees, conferences, in-services and/or special events.
- Adhere to professional code of ethics.
Other Duties:
Perform related duties as assigned.
Knowledge and Abilities:
Knowledge of:
- Learning and child development theories including normal and atypical development.
- Trauma-informed practices.
- Restorative practices.
- Intellectual, sensory, and communication development of children.
- Developmental disabilities.
- IEP development and implementation.
- Appropriate assessment methods and instruments.
- Availability and utilization of inter-agency and community resources.
- Impact of speech and language disability on educational performance and family interactions.
- Content and development of speech-language assessments; counseling techniques for conveying assessment results to staff and family members.
- Communication interventions, strategies, methodologies, and equipment, including AAC systems, commonly used with students with mild/moderate and extensive support needs.
- Safety principles and practices including crisis de-escalation strategies and conflict resolution and other Positive Behavioral Intervention Supports.
- Diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability and ethnic backgrounds
- Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, policies, and procedures relevant to the area of responsibility.
- Methods of collecting, organizing, and ensuring accuracy of reported data and information.
- Principles, procedures and techniques in the development and implementation of staff training activities.
- The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar.
Ability To:
- Administer appropriate assessments and interpret history and assessment data with a culturally sensitive lens.
- Develop and implement IEPs and effective treatment plans for students from a wide range of cultural backgrounds using equitable and inclusive pedagogy.
- Develop and maintain a data collection system to track student progress on IEP goals and objectives.
- Maintain a safe work environment utilizing crisis de-escalation strategies, conflict resolution and other Positive Behavioral Intervention strategies.
- Interact and work effectively with families of diverse backgrounds.
- Collect data, analyze, and evaluate situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
- Prepare and maintain a variety of records and reports in compliance with department, agency, county, and state requirements.
- Serve as a technical resource concerning assigned program, function, or instructional area.
- Adapt teaching methods and delivery of services based on students’ identified needs.
- Cultivate inclusive, collaborative, and equitable working relationships with students, staff, and community members.
- Exhibit professionally appropriate interpersonal skills including but not limited to tact, patience, flexibility, and courtesy.
- Provide guidance and constructive feedback to classroom support staff.
- Speak and present information effectively in small and large groups.
- Collaborate and participate on interdisciplinary teams with educational, rehabilitative, and medical professionals within and outside the educational setting.
- Interpret, apply, and explain rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Operate modern equipment and communication tools used for program functions, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed (e.g., Special Education Information System – SEIS).
- Drive a vehicle to various County and school district locations to conduct a variety of duties.
- Communicate effectively both orally and in writing, utilizing correct English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary.
- Maintain consistent, punctual attendance.
- Maintain student confidentiality.
- Perform professional duties independently with little direction.
Education and Experience:
Education:
- Master’s degree in Communication Disorders Sciences or Speech-Language Pathology.
Experience:
- Two years of experience as a Speech- Language Pathologist preferred.
- Training and/or experience working in an educational setting preferred.
Licenses and Other Requirements:
- Valid California Teaching Credential; or eligibility to be granted a credential or permit authorizing Special Education services and teaching in the specific disability area of the service provided.
- Valid California driver's license.
- Valid National Provider Identifier (NPI) and an Ordering, Referring, or Prescribing (ORP) provider number.
Working Conditions:Physical Demands:
- Mobility to work in a standard office or classroom setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer.
- Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen.
- Hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone.
- Standing in and walking between work areas is frequently required.
- Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment.
- Employees in this classification frequently bend, stoop, kneel, reach, run, climb, and walk to provide personal assistance to student(s) in daily activities, as well as push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.
- Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull objects and wheelchairs up to 40 pounds with the use of proper equipment.
Environmental Conditions:
- Employees work in an office, classroom, and outdoor environment with moderate to loud noise levels, cold and/or hot temperatures, and exposure to blood and body fluids while providing personal assistance to student(s) with daily activities and rendering First Aid and CPR.
- Employees interact with clients with behavioral disorders/erratic and assaultive behavior, including those which require emergency crisis intervention.
- Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
- Employees are required to operate a vehicle to perform assigned work.
This position description may not be an exhaustive list of all duties, knowledge, or abilities associated with this classification, however it is intended to accurately reflect the principal job elements. Related duties, knowledge, or abilities to those expressly stated may also be required for successful performance of the position.
Pay: $91,418.00 - $133,300.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
