Bryant School District
Speech-Language Pathologist

Department: Special Education

Job Status: Full Time
FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports To: Principal and Special Education Supervisor
Grade/Level: Certified

Amount of Travel Required: Varies
Job Type: Regular

Positions Supervised: None
Work Schedule: 190-day contract. Teachers are on-duty for 7 hrs., 40 minutes per day but may periodically be required to attend after-school or evening events as a normal expectation of their position.

POSITION SUMMARY

Assess and treat persons with speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. May select alternative communication systems and teach their use. May perform research related to speech and language problems.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Reasonable Accommodations Statement
To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Functions Statement(s)
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills of therapy.
• Estabish goals for the therapy program appropriate to the setting and the students served.
• Demonstrate knowledge of district, state, and federal regulations and guidelines.
• Demonstrate knowledge of resources both within and beyond the school and district.
• Develop the therapy program, integrated with the regular school program, by collaborating with teachers and administrators.
• Create and maintain positive rapport with students.
• Manage routines and procedures.
• Establish and maintain clear procedures for consultation with staff and/or parents about Speech-Language related topics.
• Establish standards for conduct in the therapy setting.
• Respond to student, teacher, and/or parent concerns.
• Evaluate student needs.
• Assist in developing students' IEP's and fully implement to engage student learning.
• Collect and use data to evaluate program.
• Demonstrate flexibility and responsiveness.
• Reflect on practice and make adjustments for professional growth.
• Maintain an effective data management system.
• Communicate with families.
• Maintain professionalism with all staff members.
• Conduct speech-language screenings for students.
• Administer assessments/evaluations to students and make educationally relevant and necessary diagnosis.
• Provide individualized/small group treatment to students diagnosed with a speech/language deficit.
• Provide training to staff as needed in order to educate the them on specific speech/language issues relating to students.
• Participate in pre-referral meetings or collaborations with other professionals.
• Provide early intervention services to students at risk for speech/language impairments.
• Participate in the referral process for special education.
• Document services provided in an appropriate and timely manner.
• Plan therapy sessions to meet the individual educational needs of each student.
• Monitor students' progress and adjust procedures accordingly.
• Develop, select, and recommend augmentative and alternative communication systems for students.
• Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification and positive reinforcement.
• Develop and implement strategies to meet the needs of students with a variety of handicapping conditions.
• Maintain accurate and complete student records and prepare reports as required by law, district policies, and administrative regulations.
• Employ special education strategies and techniques during instruction to improve the development of speech and language skills.
• Prepare materials and the classroom for therapy activities.
• Meet with parents and guardians to provide guidance in using community resources and to teach skills for dealing with students' impairments.
• Participate in conferences, training, and workshops to maintain and improve professional competence.
• Attend staff meetings and serve on committees as required.
• Select, store, order, issue, and inventory equipment, materials, and supplies.
• Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment and materials to prevent injuries and damage.
• Report to the proper authorities any cases of suspected child endangerment, neglect, or abuse.
• Adhere to all policies of the District.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Principal or Special Education Supervisor.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Competency Statement(s)
• Accountability - Ability to accept responsibility and account for his/her actions.
• Accuracy - Ability to perform work accurately and thoroughly.
• Active Listening - Ability to actively attend to, convey, and understand the comments and questions of others.
• Analytical Skills - Ability to use thinking and reasoning to solve a problem.
• Client Oriented - Ability to take care of the clients" needs while following district procedures.
• Communication, Oral - Ability to communicate effectively with others using the spoken word.
• Communication, Written - Ability to communicate in writing clearly and concisely.
• Decision Making - Ability to make critical decisions while following district procedures.
• Diversity Oriented - Ability to work effectively with people regardless of their age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or job type.
• Detail Oriented - Ability to pay attention to the minute details of a project or task.
• Empathetic - Ability to appreciate and be sensitive to the feelings of others.
• Ethical - Ability to demonstrate conduct conforming to a set of values and accepted standards.
• Friendly - Ability to exhibit a cheerful demeanor toward others.
• Honesty / Integrity - Ability to be truthful and be seen as credible in the workplace.
• Initiative - Ability to make decisions or take actions to solve a problem or reach a goal.
• Interpersonal - Ability to get along well with a variety of personalities and individuals.
• Loyal - The trait of feeling a duty to the employer.
• Organized - Possessing the trait of being organized or following a systematic method of performing a task.
• Patience - Ability to act calmly under stress and strain, and of not being hasty or impetuous.
• Regular attendance - Exhibiting regular attendance in order to perform duties in a satisfactory manner.
• Relationship Building - Ability to effectively build relationships with students, staff, and parents.
• Reliability - The trait of being dependable and trustworthy.
• Responsible - Ability to be held accountable or answerable for one’s conduct.
• Self Motivated - Ability to be internally inspired to perform a task to the best of ones ability using his or her own drive or initiative.
• Tactful - Ability to show consideration for and maintain good relations with others.
• Technical Aptitude - Ability to comprehend complex technical topics and specialized information.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Education: Bachelor's Degree (four year college or technical school) Required, Field of Study: Speech Language Pathology
Master's Degree Required, Field of Study: Speech Language Pathology
Certificate of Clinical Competency preferred for this position.

Experience: Previous experience as a speech-language pathologist preferred.

Computer Skills: Shall be able to demonstrate an acceptable level of proficiency with computers and programs associated with the position.

Certifications & Licenses: Must have current Arkansas teaching license with appropriate certification.

Other Requirements:

1. Successful completion of pre-employment background checks.
2. Appriopriate personal and professional conduct at all times around students, staff, and the general public.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Most work is performed in an indoor office environment. The sound level ranges from very quiet to moderate depending on the activities being conducted.

The Human Resources Department has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the Bryant School District reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the District may deem appropriate.

It is the policy of the Bryant School District not to discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, or disability in its educational programs, activities, or employment practices.