Speech Therapist

Government schools; Shire of East Gippsland; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Cowes Primary School on Phillip Island is seeking a Speech Pathologist to join our student support team. You will deliver assessment and therapy to children with communication and learning needs, working closely with teachers to apply evidence-based approaches in classrooms.

You will lead literacy interventions, support families and staff, and contribute to program development while maintaining clear documentation and outcomes. This role emphasises school-wide well-being and inclusive education.

Qualifications

• Graduate or post-graduate qualification in Speech Pathology.
• Certified practising membership of Speech Pathology Australia (SPA).
• Working with Children Check.
• 3+ years experience in Paediatrics.
• Excellent communication skills with families, educators and other health care professionals.

Responsibilities

• Provide speech pathology assessment and therapy to students with communication and learning difficulties.
• Intervene 1:1 or in groups and liaise with staff to implement evidence-based instruction.
• Deliver literacy intervention (synthetic phonics) sessions for at risk students.
• Document progress and report outcomes, and contribute to curriculum policy.
• Coordinate with community services and health professionals regarding student support.
• Lead and support staff development within the student support team.
• Support teachers in developing educational programs for students with additional needs.
• Maintain high-quality records and written reports.

Skills

Communication

Time management

Clinical reasoning

Education

Graduate or Post-graduate qualification in Speech Pathology

Certified practising membership of Speech Pathology Australia (SPA)

Working with Children Check

Job description

Cowes Primary School is highly regarded in the local community and within educational circles as a high achieving school. It is a vibrant, `happening school, where parents and staff work together to support our 520 students with their learning and a wide range of extracurricular activities. We have strong community values and a reputation for innovation, which ensures students enjoy a rich curriculum in a stimulating, safe and supportive environment. Our staff are committed to providing high-quality education to prepare students to become active, engaged and responsible citizens of the local and global community.

Our unique setting includes the Phillip Island Early Learning Centre (PIELC) which accommodates 4yo Kinder, 3yo Kinder, and long day-care. The ability of our setting to provide a seamless educational experience for students from Birth to 12 years means learning success is maximised and this success is highlighted in our data.

Location Profile

Cowes Primary School is highly regarded in the local community and within educational circles as a high achieving school. It is a vibrant, `happening school, where parents and staff work together to support our 520 students with their learning and a wide range of extracurricular activities. We have strong community values and a reputation for innovation, which ensures students enjoy a rich curriculum in a stimulating, safe and supportive environment. Our staff are committed to providing high-quality education to prepare students to become active, engaged and responsible citizens of the local and global community.

Our unique setting includes the Phillip Island Early Learning Centre (PIELC) which accommodates 4yo Kinder, 3yo Kinder, and long day-care. The ability of our setting to provide a seamless educational experience for students from Birth to 12 years means learning success is maximised and this success is highlighted in our data.

Selection Criteria

• Demonstrate knowledge of best practice intervention and strategies for children with literacy learning difficulties, such as dyslexia as well as speech and oral language difficulties, e.g. Speech articulation problems, stuttering, and receptive and expressive language difficulties.
• Demonstrate a sound knowledge base, and application of, a range of synthetic phonics programs/strategies as well as a commitment to implementing this type of intervention throughout the school.
• Recognise the importance of working positively and effectively with a team of staff, students and parents/carers.
• Ability to communicate effectively with families, care givers, staff and other professionals on service delivery and client-based issues.
• An ability to resource and in-service staff on the theory of language/communication development, such that communication skills can be facilitated in every class.

Role

The successful applicant will possess strong Speech Pathology skills in assessment and developing strategies to address communication and educational needs of our students. Working as part of the Cowes Primary School team providing comprehensive speech pathology services to support student engagement and learning. The role includes the provision of high-level professional advice to teachers that will influence language and literacy practice in our classrooms. This can encompass a broad range of areas including articulation disorders, language disorders, learning and literacy difficulties, behavioural issues, disabilities, mental health and school transitions.

Responsibilities

Working with us will involve:

• The provision of speech pathology assessment and therapy services to students presenting with a range of communication and learning difficulties.
• Intervention with students 1:1, in groups and liaising with school staff to implement direct evidence-based instruction within the classroom.
• Delivering literacy intervention (synthetic phonics) sessions with at risk students.
• Document, record and accurately reporting on student involvement, evaluating progress and make recommendations for future programming.
  Participating in peer consultations with school staff to achieve student outcomes.
• Knowledge of working with autism spectrum disorder, development delay and/or disability populations.
• Contributing to curriculum policy development.
• Providing leadership, professionally and operationally, within the student support team.
• Support teachers in the development of educational programs, particularly in respect to students with additional needs.
• Contributing to the professional development of school staff.
• Liaise with community service organisations, DHHS, hospitals, specialist programs and other professionals regarding the support needs for students.
• Demonstrated commitment to Continuing Professional Development, Evidenced Based Practice, and Measuring Clinical Outcomes.
• Excellent communication and time management skills.
• Good clinical reasoning skills.
• Demonstrating a natural, therapeutic and professional style.
• Strong organisation and communication skills are essential.
• Maintaining high quality written records, reports and letters.

Who May Apply

The successful applicant will possess a graduate or post-graduate qualification in Speech Pathology, a certified practicing membership of Speech Pathology Australia (SPA) and Working with Children Check

Diversity and Inclusion

The department is committed to diversity and inclusion and developing a workforce that is representative of the community we service. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQA+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for roles within the Department.The Department recognises that the provision of safe, respectful and inclusive workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work and diversity across all schools and Department workplaces.It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for staff with disability (seeWorkplace adjustment guidelines).

Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander candidates from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via*******@education.vic.gov.au

Applicants seeking part-time employment are encouraged to apply for any teaching service position and, if they are the successful candidate, request a reduced time fraction. Such requests will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to the operational requirements of the school.

Child Safe Standards

Victorian government schools are child safe environments. Our schools actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all school staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, in accordance with their legal obligations including child safe standards. All schools have a Child Safety Code of Conduct consistent with the department's exemplar available at:

https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/child-safe-standards/policy

DE Values

The department's employees commit to upholding the department's Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The department's Values complement each school's own values and underpin the behaviours the community expects of Victorian public sector employees,including those who work in Victorian Government Schools. Information on the department values is available at:

https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/values-department-vps-school-employees/overview

Other Information

• Certified Practising member of Speech Pathology Australia
• Current Working with Children Check and Police Check
• Professional Indemnity Insurance
• 3+ years experience in Paediatrics
• Ongoing commitment to professional development
• Excellent communication skills with families, educators and other health care professionals
• Ability to work independently and autonomously

Conditions of Employment

• All staff employed by the Department and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements.
• Appointment of successful applicants will be made subject to a satisfactory pre-employment conditions check.
• A probationary period may apply during the first year of employment and induction and support programs provided.
• Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the Department's Human Resources website at https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal