Reports To:

                Special Education Director and/or Assistant Special Education Director

Qualifications:

Education: Master’s Degree in job related area 

Equivalency: None Specified 

Experience: Job related experience with increasing levels of responsibility is desired 

Certificates & Licenses: Valid teacher’s license with appropriate endorsement acceptable to the state of Tennessee Department of Education  

Purpose Statement:

          The job of the Speech Language Pathologist was established for the purpose of identifying students with speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders; planning and implementing appropriate services to minimize adverse impact on student success.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Assesses students’ communication skills (e.g. articulation, fluency, voice, expressive and receptive language, etc.) in order to identify communication disorders, determine program eligibility and develop recommendations for treatment. 
• Develops treatment plans, interventions and/or educational materials to minimize the adverse impact of communication disorders. 

• Provides speech and language therapy to students in order to minimize the adverse impact of speech and language disorders on student success. 
• Collaborates with a variety of groups and/or individuals (e.g. parents, teachers, physicians, administration, team members, other professionals, etc) to communicate information, resolve issues and provide services for individual students. 
• Designs and implements Individual Education Plans (IEP’s) for qualified students in a timely manner and in accordance with state and federal regulations. 
• Coordinates meetings and services for eligible students (e.g. testing/screening, IEP’s, parent conferences, pre-referral staffing, etc) so that evaluation results may be presented, treatment plans developed, and training provided for students/staff/parents. 
• Instructs assigned support staff on communication disorders, use of assistive devices and feeding techniques and/or the implementation of prescribed treatment plans.

• Instructs eligible students and school personnel in the use of appropriate communication technologies (e.g. hearing aids, FM systems, augmentative communication devices, etc.) 
• Interprets medical reports within the scope of Speech/Language Pathologist’s experience so that goals and/or treatment/intervention plans are appropriate. 
• Maintains files and/or records (e.g. progress reports, activity logs, billing information, treatment plans, required documentation, quarterly reports, screening results, etc.) to ensure availability of the timeliness of information as required. 

• Performs site visits at multiple work sites, including home visits. 

• Researches resources and methods (e.g. intervention and treatment techniques, assessment tools and methods, community resources, etc). 
• Transports supplies and equipment to a variety of sites, as appropriate. 
• Is available to students and parents for education related purposes outside the instructional day when requested to do so by the administration.  
• Maintains accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations. 
• Manages student behavior in order to provide a safe and optimal learning environment. 

• Monitors students in a variety of educational environments (e.g. classroom, sports activities, field trips, school-wide assemblies, pep rallies, extracurricular activities, etc.). 
• Observes and evaluates students’ performance, behavior, social development, and physical health. 
• Plans and conducts activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.  
• Prepares a variety of written materials (e.g. activity logs, correspondence, memos, treatment plans, Medicaid billings, reports, required documentation, etc.) grades, attendance, anecdotal records, etc.). 
• Advises parents and/or legal guardians of student progress. 

• Directs student teachers, instructional assistants, volunteers and/or student workers.   
• Maintains a high level of personal integrity and strong work ethic. 
• Assumes the responsibility of having regular and timely attendance. 
• Participates in a variety of meetings and trainings. 
• Assumes responsibility for knowing and following the safety rules and proper procedures associated with the responsibilities of the job. 

• Collaborates with instructional staff, other school personnel, parents, and a variety of community resources for the benefit of and in the best interest of students in the academic areas, athletics, special programs, extra-curricular activities, etc. 
• Follows all board policies, school system rules and administrative regulations.   
• Maintains confidentiality relative to employee, student, and parent records/information and procedures according to legal and system guidelines such as the Employee Handbook or Kingsport City Schools Policy Manual. 
• Reports immediately, as required by law, to the appropriate agency(ies) and the principal or other persons designated by the school system, incidents of actual or suspected child abuse, actual or suspected child sexual abuse. 
• Reports immediately, as required by law or school policy, to the appropriate agency(ies) and/or the principal or other persons designated by the school system, incidents involving unlawful student possession of weapons or drugs or fighting on school property. 

• Responds in a prompt and professional manner to inquiries from a variety of sources (e.g., teachers, students, parents, administrators, boosters, etc.). 
• Responds to emergency situations and safety concerns as necessary and directs to appropriate personnel for resolution. 

Capacity and Ability Requirements:

            The usual job demands requires the following physical requirements: some lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, some stooping, kneeling, and physical dexterity.

Terms of Employment:

            Salary and benefits shall be paid consistent with the District’s approved compensation plan. Length of the work year and hours of employment shall be those established by the District.

Evaluation:

            Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board’s policy on evaluation of personnel.