Job Description
Under the direction of the Coordinator of Countywide Services, Instructional Facilitator, and/or Principal/Assistant Principal, the Speech Language Pathologist provides speech language therapy services in Howard County Public Schools that comply with state, federal, and Board of Education policies and procedures to protect and promote the health and functional independence of students, enabling their access to educational programming.
The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of child development, sensory integration techniques, and evidence‑based therapeutic interventions to support students with diverse needs in achieving their academic and functional goals.
Minimum Qualifications
- Master’s degree or higher in Communication Sciences and Disorders or a similar accredited program.
- Valid state licensure or eligibility for licensure as a Speech Language Pathologist in Maryland.
- Hold or be eligible for a National Provider Identifier (NPI) issued by CMS (NPPES) and be actively enrolled in Maryland Medicaid.
- Maintaining active NPI and Maryland Medicaid enrollment is a condition of employment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience working with children and adolescents in educational or pediatric settings.
- Strong knowledge of child development, diverse populations/diagnoses, and therapeutic techniques.
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills across all stakeholders.
- Dedication to providing high‑quality, evidence‑based services to support students' success and well‑being.
- Thorough knowledge of the IEP/IFSP process.
- ASHA (American Speech‑Language‑Hearing Association) Certificate of Clinical Competence.
Essential Position Responsibilities
- Conduct comprehensive assessments to evaluate students' communication skills in relevant educational environments.
- Interpret and report assessment results verbally and in writing to all stakeholders through the IEP team process.
- Develop individualized treatment plans and goals in collaboration with teachers, parents, and other members of the educational team.
- Implement evidence‑based therapeutic interventions to address students' areas of need such as articulation, fluency, language, and pragmatics.
- Provide direct intervention services to a caseload of students in individual or group settings within the school environment.
- Monitor students' progress regularly and adjust treatment plans as necessary to ensure continuous improvement and attainment of goals.
- Collaborate with teachers and other school personnel to integrate intervention strategies into the classroom and daily routines.
- Offer consultations and training to teachers, parents, and staff members on strategies to support students' communication needs in educational settings.
- Maintain accurate documentation of assessments, progress notes, service logs, IEPs, IFSPs, and 504 plans in compliance with regulatory standards and school policies.
- Complete all MA billing for medical assistance services.
- Collect and analyze data on student performance, engagement, and behavior to improve student outcomes.
- Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, IEP meetings, and other relevant meetings to contribute to students' educational planning and outcomes.
- Understand and implement evidence‑based practice in speech/language therapy.
- Stay abreast of current research, trends, and best practices to inform practice and enhance service delivery.
- Participate in professional development activities designed to advance knowledge in the areas of education, compliance, and best practices in speech/language therapy.
- Provide supervision and/or training of paraprofessionals and SLP-As as needed.
- Perform other related duties as required.
Selection Criteria
Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be considered for further evaluation. Interviews will be limited to those applicants who, in addition to meeting the basic requirements, have experience and education that most closely match the position qualifications and the needs of the school system.
Employment Information
This is a 10‑month or 11‑month per year position within the Howard County Educators Association (HCEA) bargaining unit. Salary is on the Related Service Provider salary scale. Actual placement follows the school system’s salary procedures and the HCEA Master Agreement, which considers education and prior experience.
Benefits
HCPSS offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees. Additional benefits such as paid time off are specified in the negotiated agreement for this bargaining unit.
Pre‑Employment Requirements
- Professional references will be contacted prior to any offer of employment.
- All employees must be fingerprinted, undergo a criminal background investigation, and successfully complete the Maryland Employment History Review.
- Some positions may require completion of a physical examination and/or drug testing.
- Offered employees must provide proper identification and documentation of eligibility to work in the United States.
- The school system participates in E‑Verify and does not offer employment sponsorship.
Equal Opportunity Employer
HCPSS celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. Discrimination, harassment, or retaliation based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or other protected characteristics is prohibited.
To request an accommodation during the application or interview process due to a documented disability, please email humanresources@hcpss.org.