Speech - Language Pathologist (Preschool)

Reports to: Director, Clarke Pennsylvania and Speech Supervisor

About the role

The Preschool Speech-Language Pathologist provides auditory, speech, and language therapy services to children ages 3–5 in accordance with each student's Individualized Education Program (IEP). The Speech-Language Pathologist conducts assessments, develops appropriate therapy goals, and implements evidence-based intervention strategies to support communication development in a preschool setting. The position monitors student progress, maintains required documentation, and participates in IEP meetings to ensure compliance and effective service delivery.

The Speech-Language Pathologist collaborates closely with classroom Teachers of the Deaf to integrate communication goals into daily instruction and promote listening and spoken language development. The Speech-Language Pathologist also works collaboratively with interdisciplinary team members to develop individualized strategies that maximize student success and foster a positive, inclusive learning environment.

During non-student hours, the position will include providing auditory, speech and language therapy services to students who are enrolled in programs other than Clarke Pennsylvania through outpatient services.

Responsibilities

• Create an environment which fosters independence, confidence, creativity, and respect for materials and the people in the environment and is conducive to enjoyment in learning.
• Facilitate children’s interaction with a curriculum which is child-centered, based on basic principles of child development, and will provide children with problem-solving skills and a foundation for acquiring knowledge which is more content-related in the elementary years.
• Provide a comfortable, supportive environment for parents in which they are respected and encouraged to observe their children and supported in their efforts to parent their hearing-impaired child(ren).
• Observe children in the classroom and record information related to all aspects of the child’s developmental profile to be used later in quarterly reports.
• Maximize opportunities for auditory and language learning.
• Facilitate children’s communication and ensure carryover of activities between the classroom and individualized sessions.
• Engage individual and small groups of preschoolers, on a daily basis, in activities which contribute to the development of auditory and spoken language skills.
• Provide diagnostic information about auditory and spoken language skills of hearing-impaired preschoolers using formal tests, language samples, diagnostic teaching and observation.
• Educate parents and provide them with follow-up activities which will enhance the development of their child’s communication skills.
• Maintain therapy lesson plans ensuring that information is available to professionals working in the classroom and to provide a record of activity in the classroom. Lesson plans should include child’s targeted auditory, speech, pragmatic and spoken language goals, activities and state standards addressed. Data collection will be completed weekly.
• Contribute to the children’s Individualized Educational Plans by supplying goals and objectives in the areas of auditory, speech and language development.
• Write and submit trimester reports on dates provided at the beginning of the school year.
• Make regular entries in a communication notebook to inform parents about audition, speech and language work that takes place with their children.
• Participate in regular meetings of the Preschool team to plan classroom activities as dictated by the developmental needs and interests of the children.
• Attend I.E.P. meetings and scheduled parent-teacher conferences.
• Maintain required professional development hours and attend mandatory professional development training courses as required by Clarke Pennsylvania and contracted counties/agencies.
• Attend all Parent Support meetings and Clarke sponsored events.

Requirements

• Master’s Degree in Speech Language Pathology with training in listening and spoken language therapy of children who are deaf of hard of hearing preferred
• Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association
• Pennsylvania State Clearances – Child Abuse, FBI, Criminal Background Check

Physical Demands

• Ability to sit on the floor for extended periods of time
• Ability to carry up to 40lbs

Schedule

This is a 215-day contract position with regular hours Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:00pm.