Speech & Language Therapist

The Hamilton International School LLC; Qatar; On-site; QAR 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

An international educational institution in Qatar is seeking a Junior Speech & Language Therapist. You will provide targeted speech therapy and collaborate with staff to support students' individual needs. Candidates should have a relevant degree, a license as a Speech-Language Pathologist, and a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience. This role emphasizes effective communication and teamwork within a diverse educational environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years’ relevant experience in a similar role.
• Must have a current license as a Speech-Language Pathologist.
• English is mandatory for the job.

Responsibilities

• Provide effective, person-centered therapy and assessment.
• Collaborate with school staff and parents for student success.
• Assess and evaluate students based on their needs.

Skills

Outstanding performance in counselling & wellbeing

Excellent communication skills

Organization skills

Customer service

Critical thinking

Education

Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology

Job description

Junior Speech & Language Therapist

Job Type: Permanent

Department: Whole School

Line Manager: SENCo

Rationale

The Hamilton International School (THIS) provides specialist teaching and therapy for students whose primary need is Speech, Behaviour, Language and Communication. Some pupils are also on the autistic spectrum and have high level sensory needs.

JOB PURPOSE AND SCOPE

• To provide clinically effective, person centred, and evidence based therapy, assessment and intervention to children at the Hamilton International School.
• To provide support and training to all education staff with regard to S&L therapy interventions.

FUNCTIONAL LINKS

The S&L Therapist will be expected to work in collaboration with allied professionals and will need to maintain links with a variety of bodies. These will include:

• Students and their parents/carers and advocates
• School staff
• Other professionals working with the students
• Relevant Community Services

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assess, screen, and evaluate students and effectively share results with parents and educational staff, and participate in the eligibility determination process in accordance with school requirements and best practice.
• Providing high quality direct speech-language therapy services to students according to students’ Individual Education Plans.
• Conducting assessments, analysing results, and writing reports to determine strengths and concerns in areas of speech, voice, fluency, pragmatics, language, and oral motor skills.
• Developing IEPs that are SMART and strength-based as well as child and family centered for overall educational improvement.
• Ensuring evaluations, IEPs and service delivery are aligned with school guidelines.
• Assisting and guiding teachers in observing, describing, and referring suspected and identified speech and language delays/disorders.
• Provide consultative services for school staff by sharing and demonstrating specific techniques and working with school teams to facilitate relevant and consistent interventions for targeted students.
• Communicate and collaborate with parents and the school community for the purpose of fostering individual student success and growth while engaging the families in the therapy program.
• Maintain and submit information/reports including student progress for all students.
• Share with other staff members the responsibility for school activities and student supervision.
• Communicating and coordinating with the SENCO to ensure school mission, philosophy, and procedures are embraced.
• Keeping abreast of best practices in speech and language therapy and language development.
• Contributing productively to the school as a whole.

CLINICAL

• To use clinical reasoning skills, to analyse and interpret assessment results in order to set appropriate therapy goals and outcome measures.
• To monitor, evaluate and modify intervention in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention.
• To provide individual or small group therapy, as required.
• To liaise with all team members and family/carers to provide a coordinated approach and ensure occupational therapy treatment is integrated into the student’s targets that support learning and skills for daily living. This could include home visits and monitoring phone calls.
• To contribute to and / or provide training to both school staff and parents.
• To work closely with the SEN team, including the occupational therapist, to ensure provision is child centered and the environment enables them to realise their potential and maximise their academic, social, physical and emotional development.
• To develop and monitor SaLT programmes implemented by the Special Education Teachers and Learning assistants.
• To support, advise and supervise the same.
• To assess for, advise and order specialist equipment/software being aware of financial implications and restrictions in liaison with reporting relationships.
• To attend school –arranged meetings for children, including IEP meetings, reviews and parent evenings.
• To use IT and other alternative methods of communication to overcome barriers to communication e.g. simple clear language, Makaton, symbols, visuals and objects.

ADMINISTRATION & MANAGEMENT

• To manage a clinical caseload and time effectively, prioritizing work as required.
• To complete and maintain accurate treatment records in accordance with the Standards of Practice set by THIS.
• To write professional reports to be shared at review meetings, and to attend review meetings where appropriate.

PROFESSIONAL

• To be accountable for own professional action and recognise own professional boundaries, seeking advice where appropriate.
• To be aware of the sensitivity required to work closely, effectively and in a professional manner with our students, parents/ carers and other professionals.
• To respect the confidentiality, individuality, values and cultural and religious diversity of pupils.
• To undertake school induction programmes and continued professional development (CPD), including child protection and safeguarding, health and safety and risk management training.
• To participate in staff meetings, department meetings and liaison meetings with other professionals.
• To promote awareness of the role of S&L therapy within the school and home community.
• To maintain personal development through use of off- site and in-house training, contact and involvement with relevant special interest groups, attendance of CPD, and review of literature as required.
• To maintain own clinical professional development by keeping abreast of new developments within the profession and ensure that practice is based on best available evidence.
• To review and reflect on own practice and performance through effective use of professional and operational supervision.
• To work within professional standards as stipulated in the relevant Code of Conduct.

Health and Safety

• Emphasizes the importance of safety in all areas of the curriculum, communicating to the pupils the importance of a responsible attitude towards personal safety, the safety of others and respect for The Hamilton International School’s property and equipment
• Perform playground duties on time and with due diligence to safeguard Hamilton students
• Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities
• Assist in implementing all policies and rules governing student life and conduct
• Ensure that, all the necessary health and safety rules and procedures are being followed
• Maintain an awareness of all the health and safety measures to be taken when in school

Position Requirements

Education

• Have a current license or be qualified for a license as a Speech-Language Pathologist.
• Bachelor’s Degree/Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from an accredited institution
• Preferred candidates will have experience with oral-motor skills, childhood development, TEACCH, PECS, ABA/VB strategies.

Experience

Minimum 3 years’ relevant experience

Language

English is mandatory

Required Skills and Knowledge

Competencies

• Outstanding performance in counselling & wellbeing in a school setting
• Excellent communication skills and command of the English language, in spoken and written form
• Organization skills: well organized and able to prioritize, multi tasks and meet deadlines
• The ability to work on a regular and punctual basis
• Flexible and work well under pressure
• Customer service
• Critical thinking
• Ability to negotiate, persuade and motivate others
• Willing attitude to be a part of the school team
• Strong sense of professionalism
• Safeguarding and welfare of children
• A collaborative team-player with excellent interpersonal skills
• The ability to develop good personal relationships within a team
• Behaviour management
• Demonstrated competency to use computer applications related to the role, including word processing and spreadsheet applications
• Record keeping and report preparation methods
• Interpersonal skills including tact, courtesy and patience
• Customer focused
• Willingness to undertake appropriate Professional Development

Attributes

• Empathetic listener
• Integrity and confidentiality
• Internationally minded
• Emotional intelligence
• Intercultural awareness, creative
• Flexible and a can‑do attitude
• Passionate about delivering quality education
• Able to command respect of pupils, colleagues and parents
• Driven by wanting to improve quality and develop the school
• Reliable with an attention to detail and a commitment to quality
• An innovator with a willingness to embrace change

Compliance and Safeguarding

All staff and volunteers are required to share the school’s commitment to safeguarding and the welfare of children and young people. Staff are subject to international criminal and child protection background checks covering the previous ten years of employment history.