Speech and Language Specialist
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Minimum master’s level in the area of speech pathology and audiology
- New Jersey Department of Education Certification as Speech Language Specialist
- New Jersey license
- Criminal History background check
- SFY Available
REPORTS TO: Designated Supervisor
JOB GOALS: The speech and language specialist provides both direct and consultative services, with the purpose of enabling the student to obtain maximum benefit from the educational program. The speech and language specialist functions as a member of an interdisciplinary educational team in identifying the student’s abilities and limitations and in implementing the IEP.
To help reduce or eliminate speech, hearing and language impairments which interfere with the individual student’s ability to derive full benefit from the district’s educational program. These services will provide consonant with the resources available in the district.
PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provides screening to identify children potentially in need of speech, hearing and language services at regular intervals and at specified levels.
- Provides for appropriate assessment and diagnosis of speech, hearing and language impairments. Students with suspected hearing loss also will be referred for a complete audiological and otological evaluation.
- Determines eligibility for speech correction services
- Provides appropriate IEP’s to meet individual student needs in correcting existing speech, hearing and language impairments within the limits of available resources.
- Assumes primary responsibility for scheduling children for speech, hearing and language services
- Utilizes professional expertise to provide habilitation of speech, hearing and language impairments
- Assist and guides teachers in modifying the educational program for students with confirmed speech, hearing and language impairments
- Serves as a consultant to teachers and school staff members concerning speech, hearing and language impairments
- Provides information, support and counseling regarding speech, hearing and language impairments to pupils and their families
- Maintains a directory of outside agencies, consultants, specialist and related services; assists in proper referrals of individuals as appropriate
- Functions as an adjunct member of the Child Study Team and evaluates pupils referred for “full team” evaluations
- Keeps on-going records for each student receiving speech therapy
- Maintains lists of referred, screened, evaluated and enrolled students
- Assumes primary responsibility for requisitioning and maintaining needed equipment and supplies
- Work with and advise the classroom teachers on planning communication experiences with the children and demonstrate available materials
- Work with the parents to help them understand the disability, accept the child’s problem, and to help them work with the speech-language specialist
- Provide a monthly report of the progress of the speech program – number of children in the program, number phased out, new children accepted, etc.
- Prepare early in the school year his/her days of visitation, the names of the children in the program and the time they are scheduled for work with him/her. Copies of these schedules will be made available to the building principals.
- Other responsibilities as assigned by the Superintendent
Terms of Employment: Ten-month year. Salary and work year to be according to current contract.
Evaluation: Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board’s policy on Evaluation of Professional Personnel.