Speech Language Pathologist

Pankalo Education Center

Pankalo Education Center serves students in grades K-8 who have emotional behavioral disorders (EBD), autism spectrum disorders (ASD), developmental cognitive disabilities (DCD), and certain low-incidence disabilities .

Pankalo has an integrated arts theme; the goal is to provide a compassionate, creative, safe, and child centered learning environment, where our students grow academically, socially, and personally, while tapping into their creativity.

Position Information

This position is a 1.0 FTE position (184 days).

Nature of Work

Incumbents are responsible for providing clinical and educational service to students with communication disorders, and providing consultation to families, teachers and other staff.

• Responsibilities may include : conducting communication screenings, assessments and evaluations for students and analyzing test results;
• providing treatment to students with communication disorders using various tools, techniques or strategies; providing direct or indirect services in alignment with IEP's;

providing recommendations, consultation and trainings to families, teachers and other staff; and preparing a variety of reports, documents and correspondence.

Typical Class Responsibilities

Performs IEP (Individualized Education Program) evaluations regarding language, speech, voice, cognitive-communication, and related disorders, which includes : administering testing;

interpreting results; providing integrated description of client, including diagnosis; and creating and implementing solutions in a classroom setting.

• Manages cases which includes conducting observations, preparing for treatments, and consulting with individuals, families, groups, or staff regarding cases and monitoring case progress.
• Prepares clinical documentation, reports, and / or correspondence, which includes : treatment plans; progress notes; treatment reviews;

clinical charts; third party insurance billing; and, other related paperwork.

Supports classroom staff members on speech-related topic areas.

Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

Training and Experience Requirements

Requires a minimum of a Master's degree in Speech Language Pathology or Communication Disorders. Licensed or able to obtain a license from the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board as a Speech / Language Pathologist.

ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competency (C's) or the ability to obtain. Related practicum experience.

Preferred Requirements

Knowledge of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) preferred.

Knowledge Requirements

• Speech pathology diagnostic categories and differential diagnosis
• Speech pathology testing administration and methods
• Medical disorders
• Standards of care for speech problems and presenting problems
• Speech pathology theory
• Treatment strategies and modalities
• IEP goals and objectives to meet educational needs
• Training strategies
• Recordkeeping and case management principles
• Applicable technologies
• Computers and related software applications

Skill Requirements

• Conducting pathology assessments
• Recognizing symptoms, signs and side effects of speech problems
• Directing and focusing therapy to address identified problem(s)
• Working with a diverse population with multiple speech problems
• Using, administering, scoring, and interpreting speech pathology assessments
• Writing IEP goals and objectives to meet educational needs
• Planning and implementing treatment lesson
• Training and educating staff and parents about speech therapy and related topics
• Updating and monitoring applicable technology
• Using computers and related software applications
• Communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction

Physical Requirements

Positions in this class typically require : reaching, standing, walking, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.

Sedentary Work : Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and / or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Walking and standing are required only occasionally.

Special Education Profile

Special Education programs and services in Northeast Metro 916 are central to the Intermediate District's mission and fully integrated in its structure and decision-making processes.

Programs provide special education and related service support to students from early childhood through age 21 with emotional / behavioral disorders, autism spectrum disorders, developmental and cognitive disabilities, deaf and hard of hearing disabilities, and learning disabilities.

Our highly structured, safe learning environments share these characteristics

• Classrooms of 4-10 students supported by 1-4 trained education assistants.
• Behavior management support, on-site mental health professionals, due process and curriculum support staff.
• In-house collaborative teams include : audiologists, behavior specialists, deaf / blind specialists and interveners, autism specialists, developmental adaptive physical education teachers, education assistants, health specialists, occupational therapists and assistants, physical / other health disabilities teachers, physical therapists and assistants, school psychologists, school nurses, school social workers, speech / language pathologists, and sign language interpreters.

Commitment to Equity

At Northeast Metro 916, equity means that everyone has access to what they need in order to learn, grow and thrive.

Northeast Metro 916 will not discriminate against individuals based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, parental status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, age or sexual orientation.