SIGN ON BONUS FOR NEW COCSD EMPLOYEES OF $500 AFTER FIRST SUCCESSFUL EVALUATION

HOURS OF WORK: Full-Time; 10 months

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Open until filled

STARTING SALARY:  Based on Experience and Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS: Must be licensed by the Arizona Department of Health Services at the time of appointment and must maintain current licensure throughout employment in this classification. AZ IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card.

CLASS TITLE: SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY ASSISTANT

Classification:

Exempt

Position Summary:

Under the direction and supervision of a Speech and Language Pathologist, the Speech and Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) assists in supplementing, enhancing, and extending speech/language therapy services by completing a variety of tasks such as, but not limited to, direct activities with students designed to develop pre-language and language skills, oral-motor control for speech production, vocalization, and use of assistive technology devices for communication. The SLPA serves students who have identified speech and language disorders and may have other disabilities as well. This is a 10 month position.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Conducts speech and language screenings, without interpretation, and using screening protocols developed by the supervising Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP); provides direct assistance for speech language voice fluency hearing to students under the supervision of the SLP; follows and implements documented IEP plans or protocols; documents student progress toward meeting established objectives, and reports the information to the SLP; assists the SLP during assessments, assisting with formal documentation, preparing materials, and performing clerical duties; prepares therapy materials and/or equipment for use in the classroom and therapy activities; adapts or modifies instructional materials and/or equipment as determined by student needs and abilities for teacher use in the classroom; assists in maintaining student records, tallying data, preparing charts, records, graphs, and reports; assists in organizing classroom activities such as displaying educational materials, arranging furniture to facilitate instructional requirements, and creates an orderly and clean learning environment; may implement behavior management programs for students as designed by certified staff, observes and reports significant student behavior, behavioral patterns, and/or other problems to the SLP.

Note: The Speech and Language Assistant is NOT able to conduct evaluations, interpret data, alter IEP plans, or perform any task without the express knowledge and approval of the supervising SLP.

Employments Standards:

Education and Experience:

Associate degree in and/or graduation from a Speech-Language Pathology assistant certificate program, OR Bachelors degree in Speech-Language Pathology or Communication Disorders with a minimum of 70 hours field work/clinical experience from a Board-approved program.

Licenses and Certificates:

Must be licensed by the Arizona Department of Health Services at the time of appointment and must maintain current licensure throughout employment in this classification.

Knowledge of:

• Speech and language pathology equipment, materials, and procedures;
• Normal speech, language, and hearing development;
• Language disorders and rehabilitation;
• Articulation disorders and rehabilitation;
• Acquired disorders and rehabilitation;
• Learning patterns in children;
• Student behavior management techniques and strategies;
• Learning problems of children with special education needs;
• English usage, punctuation, spelling, grammar, and math;
• Routine recordkeeping.

Ability to:

• Assist speech and language therapist with implementation of IEP
• Deal effectively with attitudes and behaviors of students;
• Effectively and tactfully communicate in both oral and written forms;
• Manage and use time effectively;
• Demonstrate appropriate conduct;
• Select, prepare, and present materials effectively;
• Maintain student progress documentation;
• Use a variety of screening tools and protocols, manage screenings and documentation;
• Provide effective implementation of therapy objectives;
• Operate instructional and office equipment;
• Ability to do simple math in order to compile reports, and maintain records and status reports;
• Interact successfully with parents, students, supervisor, school staff, and community agency representatives;
• Modify or Differentiate lessons to meet students’ needs and progress with guidance from SLP;
• Consult with Supervisor when students’ progress is not consistent;
• Develop and monitor carry over activities with classroom teacher and home;
• Develop and provide creative, appropriate lessons/materials to ensure progress towards student IEP goals;
• Consult and support Regular Education Teacher with use of pre-teach, re-teach strategies to successful inclusion and IEP goals;
• Work with students individually and in small groups;
• Develop schedules for student services that meets current IEP services.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

ENVIRONMENT:

Office environment.

Classroom environment during observations.

Driving a vehicle to conduct work.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Hearing and speaking to exchange information in person and on the telephone.

Seeing to monitor student behavior and read a variety of materials.

Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard.

Bending at the waist, kneeling or crouching to file materials

EVALUATION

Job performance will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board's policy on Evaluation of Professional Staff Personnel.