Speech Therapist

Reading School District; United States; On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local educational organization is seeking a Speech & Language Pathologist to provide comprehensive therapy and assessment services. The role involves developing tailored therapy plans, collaborating with educational staff, and adhering to state and federal regulations. Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree in speech/language pathology alongside relevant certifications. This is a full-time position located within the United States and requires effective communication and problem-solving skills with a dedicated approach to student development.

Qualifications

• Must have Asha Certificate of Clinical Competence.
• Pennsylvania Certification in Speech/Language Impaired PK-12 required.
• Valid, state-issued Driver’s License.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive speech/language assessment and therapy for students.
• Develop and document therapy programs based on IEP goals.
• Collaborate with teachers and families for student progress.

Skills

Strong problem-solving skills

Effective communication

Team leadership

Ability to interpret clinical instructions

Education

Bachelor's degree in speech/language pathology

Master's Degree in speech/language pathology

Tools

Diagnostic instruments

Job description

Position Title: Speech & Language Pathologist

Classification: REA

Reports To: Director of Special Education

Date Posted: 9/24/2021

Location: Reading School District

Position Type: Student Support Services / Speech and Language Pathologist

SUMMARY OF POSITION

Speech and Language Pathologists are professional specialists responsible for providing a comprehensive speech and language program for individual students and/or groups of students within the location assigned by the Director of Special Education. They work as members of a multidisciplinary team to deliver appropriate programs, providing diagnostic, therapeutic, and consultative services to students.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provide comprehensive, integrative speech/language assessment and therapy for students in need of these services.
• Develop, implement, maintain, and document a program of therapy that meets each student’s needs, and provide therapy in a consistent and productive manner that includes documentation of progress based on IEP goals.
• Adhere to school district, intermediate unit, state, and federal guidelines.
• Prepare and complete information relative to screenings, assessments, evaluation reports, IEPs, data collection and progress reports within the established timelines.
• Collaborate with classroom teachers, staff members, therapists, and families to offer information, support, instruction, suggestions, and modeling of strategies that promote the student’s systematic progress toward skill development.
• Participate in child study, instructional support, multidisciplinary, and IEP meetings as appropriate.
• Be well‑versed in best practices.
• Participate in an ongoing program of staff development.
• Maintain and submit in a timely manner individual student tracking and billing information, through submission of Penn Data forms, Access, and attendance reports, as directed by the program supervisor.
• Prepare and submit weekly and daily schedules, as directed.
• Maintain communication with parents/guardians and encourage carryover of therapy skills and goals at home.
• Maintain a student caseload that approaches the upper limits of Pennsylvania’s Chapter 14 requirements for Speech/Language therapists unless students’ needs warrant a reduced schedule and program supervisor approves the altered schedule.
• Maintain an appropriate inventory of diagnostic instruments and therapy materials/programs.
• Participate in litigation/due process proceedings as needed.
• Communicate with community‑based agencies, physicians, and other speech/language pathologists in the community.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Superintendent or his/her designee. This job description does not constitute an exhaustive list of responsibilities, and management may revise it at any time.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Master’s Degree in speech/language pathology desirable.
• Bachelor’s degree in speech/language pathology required, with enrollment in a Master’s Level speech/language program and a concurrent mentoring program.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Asha Certificate of Clinical Competence required.
• Pennsylvania Certification in Speech/Language Impaired PK‑12 required.
• Valid, state‑issued Driver’s License.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret periodicals, professional journals, legal documents, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
• Ability to write reports, correspondence, and treatment plans.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from clinical team members, managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
• Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the community.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

• Ability to perform basic mathematical concepts in the performance of routine assignments.

REASONING ABILITY

• Define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Interpret an extensive variety of clinical and technical instructions in written, oral, diagram, mathematical, or schedule form and deal with abstract and concrete variables.
• Apply sound judgment to resolve conflicts and solve problems.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Strong problem‑solving and team leadership skills.
• Apply knowledge of current research and theory in specific field.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clinical team members, clients, administrative staff, and members of the community.
• Transport between client locations and school buildings.
• Communicate clearly and concisely both in oral and written form.
• Perform duties with awareness of all state law, regulation, and CCRES policies.
• Responsibility for the safety, well‑being, and work output of clinical team members.
• Meet the demands of several people and clients.
• Respond to several problems simultaneously.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Frequent sitting, standing, and walking.
• Frequent talking or listening.
• Use hands to handle or feel, and to reach with hands and arms; implement a multi‑sensory prompting hierarchy as defined within the student’s IEP.
• Implement a variety of therapeutic models, including direct pull‑out sessions (individual and group), small group instruction, and fully integrated classroom instruction.
• Occasional lifting or moving of assessments, materials, and devices (no more than 15 pounds).
• Meet deadlines with severe time constraints, interact with staff and the public, and work irregular or extended hours.
• Drive to schools and other locations to attend meetings or perform other duties as assigned.
• Vision abilities required include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level is usually quiet but may be moderate to loud at times. The employee is frequently required to interact with parents, the public, and staff during and after the normal workday. The position requires meeting multiple demands from several people and exhibiting good human‑relation skills including courtesy, tact and patience.

The Reading School District is an equal‑opportunity employment, educational and service organization.

Information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties may be assigned.