1286 Speech-Language Assistant (Sioux City and Surrounding area)

Northwest Area Education Agency; Sioux City (IA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Northwest AEA in the Sioux City area seeks a Speech-Language Assistant to support language, articulation, voice, and fluency activities under a licensed pathologist. This role includes telepractice delivery and collaboration with school staff across a 10-county region.

Responsibilities cover setting up equipment for virtual sessions, following prescribed treatment plans, documenting progress, and coordinating with professionals to ensure student success.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Experience working with children and youth.
• Driver’s license and personal vehicle required.

Responsibilities

• Provide prescribed language, articulation, voice, and fluency practice to designated students under the direct supervision of a licensed speech-language pathologist.
• Follow treatment plans designated by the supervising speech language pathologist using appropriate materials.
• Report and document student performance to the supervising speech-language pathologist.
• Meet with the supervising speech language pathologist as directed by state guidelines to discuss student progress, receive direction for upcoming sessions, and exchange information.
• Work collaboratively with licensed AEA staff, LEA teachers, and other professionals.
• Manage student behavior during facilitated sessions.
• Communicating with school staff or teachers about scheduling.
• Preparing materials for sessions with the direction of the licensed professional.
• Set up the computer and microphone, and ensure all technology equipment is working properly for the virtual sessions.
• Work collaboratively with licensed professionals to print and handle materials for use during virtual sessions.
• Ensure the safety of the child/student during virtual sessions and escort children to and from sessions.
• Set up and troubleshoot the virtual sessions.
• Positioning the child/student under the direction of the Tele-Practice professional.
• Remaining with the child/student during sessions.
• Use available technology to complete and disseminate appropriate documentation of activities and results.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Communication with students

Rapport building

Tech skills

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Job description

Starting date: Upon Hire

Location: Sioux City and surrounding area

Region: West

Overview

Iowa's Area Education Agencies are educational partners embedded in Iowa schools. We exist to create a thriving educational landscape where all learners and educators have access to high-quality, evidence-based and strategic supports and services, collaboratively provided within districts, to help all learners achieve their full potential.

About the Agency

Northwest AEA provides special education and school improvement services to 35 public school districts and 33 accredited, non-public schools. The agency serves 45,000 students and more than 5000 educators in a 10-county area of Northwest Iowa (Lyon, Osceola, Sioux, O'Brien, Plymouth, Cherokee, Woodbury, Ida, Monona, and Crawford).

Our headquarters is located at 5800 Discovery Blvd., Sioux City, with regional offices in Cherokee, Denison, Le Mars, Onawa, and Sioux Center.

Why Northwest AEA?

Our vision, mission, and anchors guide our actions. Staff at Northwest AEA believe that what they do inspires learning and leads to changed lives for the students, staff, and families we serve. Our work is anchored in building positive, professional relationships with stakeholders and with one another. We embrace responsiveness in how we serve so that students, staff, and families can see improved results.

Job Summary

Assist in the provision of certain language, articulation, voice and fluency activities as assigned by the supervising speech language pathologist and provide a link between a licensed speech language pathologist for the delivery of telepractice services via a virtual interaction between students and the speech language pathologist.

Qualifications

High School diploma or equivalent. Experience working with children and youth. Driver’s license and personal vehicle required.

Essential Functions

Speech-Language Assistant Focus

1. Provide prescribed language, articulation, voice, and fluency practice to designated students under the direct supervision of an appropriately authorized speech-language pathologist.
2. Follow treatment plans designated by the supervising speech language pathologist using appropriate materials.
3. Report and document student performance to the supervising speech-language pathologist.
4. Meet with the supervising speech language pathologist as directed by state guidelines to discuss student progress, receive direction for upcoming sessions, and exchange information.
5. Work collaboratively with licensed AEA staff, LEA teachers, and other professionals.
6. Manage student behavior during facilitated sessions.
7. Communicating with school staff or teachers about scheduling.
8. Preparing materials for sessions with the direction of the licensed professional.

Telepractice Focus

1. Set up the computer and microphone, and ensure all technology equipment is working properly for the virtual sessions.
2. Work collaboratively with licensed professionals to print and handle materials for use during virtual sessions.
3. Ensure the safety of the child/student during virtual sessions and escort children to and from sessions.
4. Set up and troubleshoot the virtual sessions.
5. Positioning the child/student under the direction of the Tele-Practice professional.
6. Remaining with the child/student during sessions.
7. Use available technology to complete and disseminate appropriate documentation of activities and results.
8. Other duties as assigned.

Skills and Abilities

1. Ability to communicate with students and educators.
2. Build rapport with school-age students.
3. Technology skills related to the equipment (computer, handheld touchscreen device, camera, speakers, etc.) used for virtual sessions.

It is the policy of Northwest Area Education Agency not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy, please contact Jerome Schaefer, Equity Coordinator, 5800 Discovery Blvd., Sioux City, Iowa, 51111, 712-222-6114.