Speech Language Specialist

TITLE: SPEECH-LANGUAGE SPECIALIST

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Must possess or be eligible for a Speech-Language Specialist (#3462) certificate (CE or Standard) from the New Jersey Department of Education.
2. Must possess a Master’s degree in speech-language pathology from a regionally accredited college or university or meet the requirements for a Provisional Certificate.
3. Must hold or be willing to obtain/maintain any licenses and certifications needed to bill for services under the Special Education Medicaid Initiative (SEMI) at own expense.
4. Demonstrated knowledge of New Jersey’s current rules and regulations regarding Child Study Teams and special education assessments and program requirements, including the difference between a medical vs. a school-based service model.
5. Demonstrated knowledge of language development and language disorders in children and adolescents as well as distinctions between language disorders and English language acquisition.
6. Ability to develop/maintain effective working relationships with students, parents, staff, administrators, and other stakeholders and work effectively as a member of a collaborative team.
7. Must possess strong oral and written communication skills.
8. Must be highly organized to schedule a large caseload of daily services, conduct ongoing evaluations, and maintain student records.
9. Pass mandatory pre-employment physical, including drug screening.
10. Pass mandatory criminal history screening.
11. Consistent attendance as defined by the New Jersey Department of Education.
12. Basic knowledge of Google Office suite and general computer skills.
13. Must possess a valid drivers’ license and reliable vehicle to transition between buildings as needed.
14. Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Superintendent and Board of Education deem appropriate.

REPORTS TO: Director of Special Services/Building Principal

JOB GOALS: Utilizing leadership, advocacy, and collaboration, school-based speech language specialist provides prevention, assessment, and remediation services for students who exhibit difficulties in the areas of language, speech, voice, and fluency. These services are designed to help children meet their educational goals. Speech-language specialist work to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders in children and adults.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Delivers speech/language therapy to identified students consistent with their individual program requirements and with State and Federal requirements.
2. Provides thorough assessment and diagnosis of speech and language functioning using a variety of informal methods and a variety of formal assessment tools and writes comprehensive evaluation reports, recommends programs/services based upon evaluation results. Shares evaluation results and program recommendations, if any, in writing and orally with appropriate staff and parents.
3. Together with parents and appropriate staff, develops and annually reviews IEPs and service plans for identified students, regularly monitoring and reporting progress toward goals and objectives.
4. Case manages students in accordance with Federal and State mandates consistent with district practice, monitoring and complying with all due dates, notice requirements etc.
5. Provides speech/language services as a consultant/member of the Intervention and Referral Services (I&RS) in the assessment of, educational planning for, monitoring of, and reevaluation of students in need of related services, in accordance with all applicable federal, State and local codes and regulations.
6. Interprets collected data for concerned staff showing the implications for curriculum and learning.
7. Assists and guides teachers in observing, describing and referring suspected and identified speech and language impairments when requested.
8. Provides screening to identify speech handicapped children at regular intervals.9.
9. Assists in proper referrals of individuals to agencies and specialists in the community as appropriate and requested.
10. Provides training and educational programs for staff/parents to promote an understanding of speech/language concepts and to increase competency in dealing with problems in speech/language development and augmentative communication, as requested, including the Special Education Parent Advisory Group (SEPAG).
11. Continuously updates, and maintains, confidential records for the individual students receiving school-provided therapy and, as appropriate, speech services by outside providers.
12. Records all eligible services in the Special Education Medicaid Initiative (SEMI) program and responds timely to all Random Moment in Time studies consistent with all Medicaid provider requirements.
13. Collaborates with the Director of Special Services regarding all programs, services, and supports as they relate to the needs of students and the district budget.
14. Maintains a level of professional competence and current research findings appropriate to the specific area of certification, including maintaining all additional license requirements for the position, assignment and matters of general educational importance.
15. Follows due process procedures as outlined in the New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14.
16. Observe rigorously the ASHA code of ethics of the Speech-Language Specialist profession to maintain the highest ethical and professional behavior and standards when working with students, parents, school personnel, and other agenciesassociated with the school.
17. Complies with all statutory and district timelines for completing evaluations, meetings, record keeping, written notice requirements, direct services, and any other information as requested by the Administration.
18. May need to assist students with hygiene and feeding needs and escort students to/from classes.
19. Performs other related professional duties as assigned by administration.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB: May lift, push, or pull 40+ pounds. Ability to be mobile within the building and throughout the district. Ability to work with disabled students who may present physical and/or emotional challenges, including performing physical restraints when needed. May need to assist with hygiene/feeding needs of students. Must be able to walk, run, squat, sit on the floor, bend, and twist to meet the needs of individual students.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Ten (10) month position.

EVALUATION: Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board’s policy on the evaluation on Evaluation of Instructional/Educational Services Personnel.

SALARY: As per the Penns Grove-Carneys Point RSD Teachers’ Association and the Penns Grove-Carneys Point RSD Board of Education Agreement.