Speech and Language Therapist

The Vanguard School, founded in 1959 and located on a beautiful 28-acre campus in Malvern, PA, is dedicated to the growth and development of children and young adults with a variety of special needs through a collaborative and holistic approach.

About the role

The Speech & Language Pathologist provides services that promote improvement in receptive and expressive language skills, speech intelligibility, non-verbal communication skills, written language skills, and socialization. This role works in close collaboration with classroom teachers and therapists from other disciplines to offer an integrated teaching and treatment approach in implementing the IEP.

Responsibilities

• Performs formal evaluations and clinical observations of students to determine the type and frequency of speech and language services needed.
• Provides individual and group therapy for students identified as needing educational/therapeutic intervention to facilitate success in the classroom.
• Develops and teaches compensatory strategies.
• Provides support in the classroom and on field trips to reinforce and generalize communication skills in the community.
• Develops and monitors appropriate and measurable goals and objectives for each student receiving speech/language services.
• Evaluates students' progress in achieving these goals and objectives on a quarterly basis and maintains up-to-date documentation.
• Attends and actively participates in planning meetings, review meetings, and parent-teacher conferences as a contributing member of the multi-disciplinary team.
• Provides consultation and training to teachers and staff on how to implement individual and/or classroom speech/language programs.
• Follows ethical behavior and professional standards of care outlined by the American Speech and Hearing Association and the Department of Education for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
• Maintains personal knowledge base of diagnoses and treatment pertaining to speech and language disorders through continuing education activities and participation in professional organizations and conferences.
• Demonstrates competency in VSS core values: Communication and Listening, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, Ethics, Professionalism, and Teamwork.
• Complies with all organizational policies and procedures.
• Maintains a professional, confidential, and ethical relationship with administrators, colleagues, parents, students, and others.
• Attends and actively participates in staff meetings, in-service activities, and other required meetings.
• Maintains proper credentials and remains informed in all related areas, including PDE regulations and state/national standards.
• Performs related duties, special assignments, and projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Communicative Disorders, Speech and Hearing Impaired, Speech Pathology, or a related field.
• Current certification in Speech/Language Impaired from the PA Department of Education.
• Experience working as a Speech/Language therapist within a special education program.
• Certification of Clinical Competency in Speech/Language Pathology is preferred.
• Ability to engage intellectually and physically in all components of the educational process.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with all constituents (administrators, colleagues, students, parents, and others).
• Knowledge of correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary.
• Proficient computer and clerical skills.

Schedule

Monday to Friday, 7:45 AM to 3:30 PM (10-month, full-time position).

Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Full comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid time off (PTO).
• 100% short and long-term disability coverage.
• Robust Employee Assistance Program.
• Generous annual contribution to each employee's 403(b) retirement plan.
• Team-building events and staff outings.