Speech Language Pathologist, Substitute, Gengras Center School

About the Role

This substitute position supports The Gengras Center by providing screening, assessment, and diagnosis of speech, language, voice, and hearing disorders. The role involves developing and implementing individualized educational programs based on student needs, collaborating with staff, and serving as an active member of unit meetings, transdisciplinary child study teams, intakes, and PPTs.

Responsibilities

Assessment

• Develop an appropriate screening/assessment protocol for students in areas of overall communication, including speech, language, voice, and hearing disorders.
• Conduct reviews of records, teacher/staff consultations, parent consultations, observations, and tests (language, voice, articulation, AAC, and fluency) as determined by the PPT.
• Evaluate and identify appropriate AAC systems for students, including completing insurance submissions for high-tech devices when appropriate.
• Score and interpret assessment tools, consolidate relevant data, and develop written reports.
• Present evaluation results at Planning and Placement Team meetings.
• Conduct hearing screens in accordance with Connecticut State Department of Health guidelines as needed.

Services

• Demonstrate organizational skills in lesson planning and recordkeeping.
• Assist in referrals of students to agencies and specialists in the community as appropriate.
• Develop and implement individualized educational programs for each student according to PPT recommendations.
• Collect data to support IEP goals and objectives and provide periodic progress reports.
• Develop and assist in implementing instructional and curricular modifications to accommodate students’ communication impairments, including augmentative and assistive technology.
• Address relevant areas with swallowing and feeding disorders, including dysphagia management to ensure safety during meal/snack times.

Collaboration/Teamwork

• Participate in transdisciplinary Child Study Team meetings.
• Serve as a member of the Planning and Placement Team.
• Provide training to classroom staff, including 1:1/paraprofessionals, on diet modification requirements, assistive technology, and communication device implementation.
• Consult with multidisciplinary team members to ensure follow-through within the classroom.
• Coordinate consultations with audiologists, BESB/vision services personnel, outside SLPs, and medical staff to address swallowing, Passy-Muir Valves, and diet levels.

Other Responsibilities

• Acquire, program, troubleshoot, and coordinate repair of Speech Generating Devices (SGDs) and assistive technology.
• Requisition and maintain needed supplies and augmentative and alternative equipment.
• Provide parent and family education and training opportunities.
• Provide staff and faculty education and training in-services.
• Facilitate cooperative relationships with the University of Saint Joseph, including consultation with students, faculty, and supervising student teachers.
• Facilitate and participate actively on school committees.
• Demonstrate professional growth in the area of speech-language pathology.
• Perform other duties assigned by the Director as indicated within the Center’s program development plan.

Requirements

• Certification by the Connecticut State Department of Education, requiring:
  • Completion of a planned program of graduate study in Speech-Language Pathology or Communication Disorders at an accredited institution.
  • Completion of a supervised professional experience.
• Licensure by the Connecticut Department of Public Health.
• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Certificate of Clinical Competency (ASHA-CCC).
• Experience with moderate to severe communication disorders, including form, content, and use, speech intelligibility, feeding and swallowing, augmentative/alternative communication and technology, and hearing loss.

Other Qualifications

• Physical ability to perform essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.