SPEECH AND LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST (2 POSITIONS)

Position Type :

Student Support Services / Speech and Language Pathologist

Date Posted : 4 / 4 / 2024

4 / 4 / 2024

Location :

Ypsilanti Community Schools

Closing Date : Until Filled

Until Filled

Pending Board Approval

The WISD's Mission is to promote the continuous improvement of achievement for every student while providing high-quality service to our customers through leadership, innovation, and collaboration.

The WISD's Vision is to be a leader in empowering, facilitating, and delivering a high-quality, boundary- spanning educational system that educates all children through an equitable, inclusive, and holistic approach.

SUMMARY : As part of a Washtenaw Intermediate School District pilot, the Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP) will provide prevention, assessment and remediation of communication impairments through classroom-based direct, consultative, and collaborative therapy services for students.

The SLP will provide services to students who exhibit difficulties in the areas of language, speech, voice, fluency, swallowing, feeding, and language-based literacy disorders, with particular emphasis on those with severe / multiple disabilities and complex communication needs, in order to help students access their education.

The SLP will provide leadership and training across the district to help facilitate implementation of best practices in speech language pathology, while continuously improving their practice through professional learning and collaboration and innovation.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Engages in reflection and ongoing learning and development on the critical concepts and terms identified in the Washtenaw ISD Educational Equity Policy including concepts such as cultural proficiency, racial equity, and systemic and structural inequities.
• Demonstrates AAC specific knowledge including a full range of aided and unaided AAC technologies, access methods, pre-intentional communication, and core vocabulary.

Supports implementation of AAC through aided language stimulation, use of visual supports, device programming, communication board development and student, staff, and caregiver training.

• Understands and implements collaborative emergent and conventional literacy practices with educators and remediates language-based literacy disorders.
• Uses a variety of appropriate formal and informal tools to evaluate and document the progress and performance of elementary through adult students with a wide range of physical, cognitive, learning and language ability.
• Uses formative assessment to inform instruction; collects, analyzes, and interprets assessment data to develop and modify interventions to support the educational program of students with communication and behavioral concerns.
• Determines students' communication skills in areas such as augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) skills, expressive and receptive language, articulation, fluency, voice, literacy, swallowing, etc.
• Instructs staff and families and provides training in the areas of communicative disorders, use of assistive technology devices and materials, augmentative communication devices, feeding techniques and implementing prevention and intervention plans.

Assists in developing and providing continuing professional education to SLPs and to professionals in related disciplines.

Demonstrates ability to meet the responsibilities of school-based SLPs, including : planning and delivery of assessment and direct therapy service;

performing billing for Medicaid reimbursement; consulting with other team members; attends required meetings; participates in the Multidisciplinary Educational Team and the IEP development and educational planning process to describe communication disorders, determine eligibility and service recommendations.

• Uses a broad range of strategies and classroom structures appropriately aligned to the curriculum and learning targets in ways that build upon individual strengths and offers students maximum opportunities to participate in the planning and direction of their own personalized learning experience.
• Collaborates, consults, and advocates with educational teams within the WISD, and seeks to implement boundary spanning initiatives with local districts, community agencies, family organizations, etc.

to implement strategies that focus on the interrelationship of language processes of listening, speaking, reading, writing and literacy development regardless of disability, cognitive and language levels.

• Advocates for and provides fair and equitable services for all individuals, especially the most vulnerable. Respects and acknowledges cultural and linguistic diversity.
• Coordinates meetings and processes for eligible students (e.g., testing / screening, IEPs, parent conferences, etc.) presenting evaluation results, developing intervention plans, and / or providing training to parents / guardians, students and staff.
• Researches resources and methods for determining the appropriate approach for addressing students' needs.
• Participates in building and district level staff meetings, in-service activities, staff development / special programs, school improvement teams and planning committees as appropriate to the assignment.
• Adheres to District policies and procedures as well as professional, ethical and legal standards of practice.
• Participates in building and district level professional development, maintains appropriate certification and qualifications and keeps current in changing pedagogy.
• Protects the confidentiality of student records and releases personal data in accordance with state law and board policies.
• Works cooperatively and communicates with district and constituent district staff, students and parents / guardians.
• Conducts behavior to demonstrate collegiality and professionalism.
• Supports WISD vision and mission to enhance achievement for all students.
• Supports a team-based approach to problem solving.
• Maintains regular predictable attendance.
• OTHER RELATED DUTIES MAY BE ASSIGNED.

QUALIFICATIONS :

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Alternative requirements that may be appropriate and acceptable to the Board of Education may be considered.

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and / or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and / or EXPERIENCE :

• Master's degree.
• Experience in educational setting and specialized training in augmentative communication preferred.
• Experience in providing school-based service, experience with Federal and State special education rules, regulations, processes, and maintains accurate case records and documentation.
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS :

• Certificate of Clinical Competence
• Michigan Speech-Language Pathology license.

LANGUAGE SKILLS :

• Ability to read, analyze and interpret periodicals and professional journals.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of educators, parents, students and the general public.
• Ability to write lesson plans, business correspondence and other related correspondence.
• Ability to express self clearly, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret information

TECHNICAL SKILLS :

• Ability to integrate technology into the everyday work flow is necessary.
• Ability to utilize District technology and work to maintain proficiency, as required skill sets change with technology and / or the needs of the District.
• Ability to use computer technology for research, data management, communications and other instruction.
• Ability to use a personal computer (PC) or MAC in a networked environment to utilize the Internet and other electronic communications mechanisms.
• Knowledge of productivity applications such as Microsoft Office (word processing, spreadsheets, database and presentation software) is required.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS :

Ability to apply the concepts of basic math, algebra and geometry consistent with the duties of this position.

REASONING ABILITY :

• Highly proficient in subject areas of : reasoning, problem solving, organizational dynamics and emotional intelligence.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Exhibit high level of professionalism with the ability to handle confidential information, use good judgment, plan and handle complex projects and maintain a flexible attitude.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS :

• Ability to build rapport with others and to serve diverse publics.
• Ability to take initiative; work well with others as a collaborative team member and exhibit good communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with other departments, agencies and individuals.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS :

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls;

reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to sit and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

The employee must occasionally lift and / or move up to 50 pounds such as books and teaching material. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distant vision and the ability to adjust focus.

The ability to travel to other buildings is required. The position requires the individual to sometimes work irregular or extended work hours and meet multiple demands from several people.

ENVIRONMENTAL ADAPTABILITY :

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is quiet to loud depending upon the activity in the particular part of the day.

The employee is frequently required to interact with the public and other staff. The employee is directly responsible for the safety, well-being and work out-put of students.

The employee is exposed to infections at a greater risk than the average person. Occasionally the employee may be required to be outdoors for a short period of time, and therefore subject to varying weather conditions, for purposes of accomplishing the essential functions of this job.

FUNCTIONS OF POSITION DESCRIPTION :

This position description has been prepared to define the general duties of the position, provide examples of work and to detail the required knowledge, skills and ability as well as the acceptable experience and training for the position.

The description is not intended to limit or modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct and control the duties of employees under supervision.

The WISD retains and reserves any and all rights to change, modify, amend, add to or delete from any portion of this description in its sole judgment.

This position description is not a contract for employment.

The WISD is an equal opportunity employer, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The District will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

TERMS :

This position is subject to terms, conditions, and calendar of the Master Agreement between the District and Unit II AFT Local 3760.

Starting salary ranging (dependent upon experience) from $46, 255 - $99, 821.

Washtenaw Intermediate School District is a drug-free workplace.

The employee shall remain free of any alcohol or nonprescribed controlled substance in the workplace throughout his / her employment in the district.

It is the policy and commitment of the Washtenaw Intermediate School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, height, weight, familial status, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation or any legally protected characteristic, in its educational programs, activities, admissions, or employment policies in accordance with Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments, executive order 11246 as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and all other pertinent state and Federal regulations.