Speech Language Pathologist - Elementary School

Summary: Under the supervision of the Berlin Public Schools’ Special Education Director, the Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP) will support the development of comprehensive educational plans for students with disabilities aged 3 to 21 with communication needs, through Special Education, Section 504 and/or the principles of Response to Intervention (RTI).

Job Relationships:

Reports to and receives administrative supervision from the Special Education Director; Coordinates with Special Education staff in the identification, referral, evaluation, eligibility, and development of appropriate plans to address and improve student outcomes; Collaborates with Early Intervention support staff during transitions from Early Supports and Services (ESS) to district special education services (SAU3); Works with Tri-County Head Start to support Child Find activities; Consults with contracted service providers (Teachers of the Vision Impaired; Teachers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing) to maximize student progress through a coordinated service plan; Collaborates with teachers to provide Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) for students in need of related service for communication; Works with students and their families to improve student outcomes through recommendations, progress reports, evaluation review, consultation, and direct service; Works closely with other district SLP staff to address the needs of students as they transition through school; Works with School Counselors to support the referral, planning, and implementation process of providing related service for communication, through Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Job Duties:

Follows the framework of the NH Rules for the Education of Students with Disabilities for the comprehensive development and maintenance of education plans for students in need; Utilizes the NH Special Education Information System (NHSEIS) to manage necessary components of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) including: goals, objectives, present levels of performance, specialized instruction service plans, related service plans, augmentative and alternative communication plans, assistive technology plans, accommodations, and modifications; Performs comprehensive evaluations (and re-evaluations) that meet the standards for evaluation in the NH Rules for the Education of Children with Disabilities, and reports the results in IEP team meetings; Connects recommendations to evaluation data; writes goals that support Common Core Standards; maintains current progress monitoring data - for input into well-informed IEP-team decisions; Attends IEP-team meetings (disposition of referral, evaluation planning, evaluation review, eligibility determination, IEP development, manifestation hearings, transition) as a critical member of the IEP-team; Coordinates with teachers, school psychologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, et al, to address the needs of the “whole child” during individualized planning, including strategies to encourage the generalization of skills; Provides Supervision of Speech/Language Assistants (SLA) as required in the IEP; Maintains accurate logs of direct service and of supervision of SLAs; Makes recommendations to IEP teams regarding the frequency, duration, phase-out potential, of related services and/or special education services for communication; Provides Consultation & Support for: special education teachers, classroom teachers, related-service providers, special education assistants, and SLAs, to address student concerns through the IEP, RTI, and Section 504 processes; Supports School Counselors in the management and implementation of 504 plans, where applicable; Participates in Professional Development activities throughout the school year; Facilitates Professional Development activities with SLAs and other Special Education staff in a coaching model when possible; Submits and maintains a 3-year Professional Development plan that fulfills the requirements of the SAU3 Master Plan; Participates in the screening process in Child Find activities; Supports servcies that maximize positive student outcomes in the least restrictive environment; Supervises essential Medicaid-to-Schools logs for all SLA direct service providers in a student’s IEP; Works with Preschool Coordinator to consolidate Pre-school Outcomes Measurement System (POMS) for communication & socialization data for the state of NH; Provides families with guidance, support, and recommendations, as children with IEPs or 504 plans transition through school; Provides input for budget development: supplies, professional development, updating testing protocols; Attend 5 out of 9 monthly special education staff meetings; Performs other related duties that may be assigned.

Qualifications:

Licensed Speech & Language Pathologist; Master's degree in speech-language pathology from an accredited educational institution; Effective communication skills to build relationships that maximize staff, student, and parent involvement; Understanding of the district special education policies, Early Supports & Services contracts, Preschool Outcomes model; Working knowledge of technology skills for data entry in: New Hampshire Special Education Information System (NHSEIS) and Preschool Outcomes Measurement System (POMS); Understanding of State and Federal guidelines: NH Rules for the Education of Children with Disabilities and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); Understanding of the Federal guidelines: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); Application of the principles of organization and time management; Willingness to seek further education as it applies to this position.

Requirements

Master's degree and ASHA Certification / CCC Certificate of Clinical Competence Required. NH License Required