Speech Language Pathologist - Elementary, Short Term Substitute

Dedham Public Schools is hiring an Elementary Short Term Subsitute - Speech & Language Pathologist to fill a maternity leave beginning (tentatively) May 1, 2024 through end of the 2023-24 school year.

Qualifications:
Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology required.
Massachusetts DESE Certification and Licensure.
Successful experience as a speech and language pathologist including performing assessments using a variety of standardized protocols and participation in meetings.
Successful experience meeting the needs of a diverse student population.
Knowledge of state and federal special education regulations.
Effective organizational and interpersonal skills.
Ability to collaborate and communicate positively and effectively with administrators, colleagues, parents/guardians, and others in the delivery of effective services.

Responsible to: Principal, Special Education Team Leader, and Director of Special Education

Primary Functions: Providing diagnostic and intervention services for students with speech, language and hearing disorders helping students to access the general education curriculum.

Major Responsibilities:

1.0 Program Administration
2.0 Direct Instruction
3.0 Assessment/Pre-referral
4.0 Professional Expectations
5.0 Other

Details:

Program Administration
Communicate and coordinate with building Principal and/or Special Education Team Leader to ensure school mission, philosophy, and procedures are embraced.
Discuss student's progress with parents, teachers, counselors, and administrators.
Assist and guide teachers in observing, describing, and referring suspected and identified speech and language delays/disorders.
Consult with teaching teams to develop and implement curricular modifications and appropriate classroom strategies such as visual supports, oral motor exercises, language strips, topics of conversation, and data collection.
Collaborate with professional staff regarding their specific teaching, therapeutic and supervisory responsibilities.
Collaborate with Principals and Educational Team Leader to develop individual schedules to ensure compliance and most effective instruction.
Collaborate with Principal and Educational Team Leader to support co-teaching models that provide inclusion experiences for students within the program.
Ensure the implementation of administrative procedures related to SPED Powerschool; maintenance and security of student records for caseload.
Collaborate with service providers, including but not limited to: school psychologists, school counselors, speech and language specialists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, vision/mobility therapists, BCBAs.

Direct Instruction
Provide high quality direct speech-language services to students according to students' IEPs and/or 504 Plans.
Plan, prepare, and teach lessons and activities as a class, in small groups, and 1:1 as needed, in accordance with IEPs/Service Plans.
Work cooperatively with other specialists/teachers to develop curriculum for the improvement of departmentalized educational instruction.
Promote inclusion and equity of instruction in classrooms by providing services in inclusion settings as appropriate.
Meet regularly with internal TEAM members regarding issues and concerns around specific student needs.
Communicate regularly with families regarding service delivery and progress.
Manage a detailed log of services provided and services missed due to student or therapist absences.
Complete treatment notes and progress reports in a timely manner and according to school policy and special education regulations.
Assessment/Pre-Referral
Participate in building-based Student Assistant Team (SATs) and support regulatory pre-referral activities by providing screenings as needed
Conduct assessments, analyze results, and write reports to determine strengths and concerns in areas of speech, voice, fluency, pragmatics, language, and oral motor skills.
Effectively share results with parents, guardians and educational staff, and participate in the eligibility determination process in accordance with state and federal requirements.
Develop treatment plans (IEPs/504 Plans) that are strength-based as well as child and family centered or overall educational improvement.
Ensure evaluations, treatment plans and service delivery are aligned with school, state, and federal guidelines.
Professional Expectations
Document all aspects of work with students using Powerschool SPED according to federal and state regulations.
Comply with all Medicaid requirements for school-based claiming.
Maintain an inventory of materials, assessments, and supplies.
Participate in Team meetings and develop speech and language goals for IEPs throughout the school year that reflect students' progress and goals.
Contribute productively to the school as a whole by attending faculty meetings/in-services/professional development activities as scheduled.
Support and participate in all mandated DESE monitoring activities as requested; completion of required coursework, Coordinated Program Reviews, etc.
Keep abreast of best practices in speech and language therapy and language development.
Maintain student confidentiality.
Other
Carries out any other appropriate responsibilities assigned.
Other Responsibilities:
Strive to improve professional competence.
Exhibit dependability and punctuality in assigned duties.
Display appropriate personal and professional traits that exhibit a positive role model for students.
Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
Strive to achieve the objectives and expectations found in the Teacher Evaluation Handbook.
Collaborate with other specialists and share pertinent information with building administration and intervention teams.
Attend meetings as required.
Complete other duties as assigned by the Superintendent or his/her designee.