Speech Language Pathology Assistant

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Assists and implements speech and language therapy exercises to supplement, enhance, and extend therapy for articulation/phonology, cognition, motor speech, voice, fluency, craniofacial anomalies, hearing and child and adult language.
• Schedules screenings and treatments with students and families.
• Provides orientation on the goals for treatments and exercises that can be done in the home environment.
• Conducts speech-language and hearing screenings (without interpretation) in accordance with screening protocols established by the supervising Speech Language Pathologist.
• Assists Speech Language Pathologist with assessments, which may include assisting with formal documentation, preparing materials, and performing clerical duties.
• Follows documented treatment plans and documents results and progress toward the student's treatment and individualized educational plan goals.
• Develops short and long range therapeutic goals and treatment programs to meet students' individual needs.
• May provide objective feedback to school personnel (psychologist, physical therapist, occupational therapist, counselor, teacher) regarding treatment plans developed by the Speech Language Pathologist.
• Follows up with students who are being monitored in special programs to document academic and behavioral progress.
• Aids in the development and/or selection of materials that enhance learning and enhancement of communicative skills and abilities.

Knowledge and Skills

• Basic understanding of the principles and practices surrounding speech/language and hearing pathology.
• Basic knowledge of the State Education Code as it applies to general education and the specific accountability of this position.
• Working knowledge of treatment documentation methods and privacy requirements for data.
• Working knowledge of personal computer operations including common office productivity software, internet, and specialized computer-aided programs supporting diagnostic assessment.
• Sufficient human relations skills to achieve and maintain trust and cooperation with peers and clients and to use advanced lines of inquiry to obtain personal information from clients.
• Sufficient writing skills sufficient to document treatments using appropriate terminology.

Abilities

• Carry out the functions and objectives of the position.
• Learn, interpret, and apply District, State, and Federal requirements and objectives for academic achievement.
• Accurately record and document screening and treatment data in formats that enable further evaluations.
• Work effectively with professionals and fellow paraprofessionals in carrying out regular and remedial instructional programs.
• Relate well with students, parents, and all levels of staff.
• Present self in a professional manner to students, parents, and staff.
• Optimize a work schedule that involves multiple locations.

Physical Abilities

• Function effectively in classroom and office environments, engaged in work of a sedentary to moderately active nature.
• Ambulatory ability to move to various class and meeting room settings.
• Hand-eye-arm coordination ability to use special diagnostic devices and a personal computer keyboard to access and record information.
• Visual ability to recognize words, numbers, and non-verbal actions of people.
• Auditory ability to project voice and carry out conversations with individuals and small groups in person and over the phone.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education and Experience: Associate of Arts or Science degree in a speech-language pathology assistant program and one year of experience working with students with speech and language disorders.
• Licenses and Certificates: May require a valid California driver's license. Valid certification as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant with the State Board of California is required.