Speech Language Pathologist

Nature of Work

Utilizing leadership, advocacy, and collaboration, school-based speech-language pathologists provide prevention, assessment, and remediation services for students who exhibit difficulties in the areas of language, speech, voice, and fluency. These services are designed to help children meet their educational goals. Below are the major functions of the speech-language pathologist employed in educational environments. Each function is followed by related evidences. Because each work situation is different, it is not likely that all of the evidences will be demonstrated by all speech-language pathologists.

Must hold NC license code 88082 (Speech‑Language Pathologist).

• Major Function:
  Planning and Oversight
  • Organizes a program that addresses local school speech‑language goals.
  • Contributes to the development of program guidelines as appropriate.
  • Cooperates with local education agency, community and/or state programs to affect comprehensive services.
  • Works cooperatively with school personnel to accomplish the goals and objectives of the local education agency.
  • Attends meetings, such as faculty meetings, special education meetings and parent‑teacher conferences.
  • Serves on committees, such as curriculum development committee, school‑based committees, and/or speech‑language program development meetings.
  • Schedules interventions using a variety of service delivery models, including classroom intervention, consultation/collaboration and pull‑out as appropriate to meet student needs in the least restrictive environment.
  • Applies a systematic workload model to facilitate the organization of the speech‑language program within the school.
  • Coordinates speech‑language services with student services provided by other school personnel.
  • Meets with related school personnel to coordinate specific objectives for individualized educational programs.
  • Maintains records of the speech‑language program and prepares periodic reports as required.
  • Keeps data for program planning and decision making for students.
  • Submits reports which meet local and state requirements.
  • Maintains current files for use by authorized school personnel.
  • Safeguards confidentiality of student records.
  • Completes records for third‑party reimbursement accurately and in a timely manner as appropriate.
  • Adheres to established rules, regulations, laws and appropriate ethical standards.
  • Provides services which hold the well‑being of each student paramount.
  • Guards against conflicts of professional interest.
  • Demonstrates knowledge of federal, state, and local rules, regulations and laws.
  • Complies with established lines of authority within the parameters of professional standards.
• Major Function:
  Screening, Testing, Diagnosing and Advising
  • Conducts speech, language and hearing screenings.
  • Serves on student intervention team/Individualized Education Program (IEP) team as appropriate.
  • Works with other professionals to carry out the screening process.
  • Uses appropriate screening instruments.
  • Administers formal and informal (ongoing & curriculum‑based) assessments.
  • Observes students in educational environments.
  • Selects appropriate assessments based on individual student needs.
  • Administers tests according to acceptable procedures.
  • Obtains additional diagnostic information from appropriate persons and available records for speech‑language purposes.
  • Obtains pertinent case history.
  • Obtains data from other professionals and parents.
  • Analyzes and interprets information to make recommendations regarding the need for speech‑language services.
  • Integrates data from a variety of assessment techniques and sources.
  • Determines the effects of the student’s impairment in regard to accessing the general curriculum.
  • Presents and explains data to IEP team.
  • Prepares evaluation summary.
  • Provides appropriate information on an informal or formal basis regarding speech, language and hearing programs.
  • Presents information to school personnel about language disorders as they relate to literacy and inter‑active communication skills.
  • Presents information to school personnel about speech disorders (articulation, voice, fluency) and their impact on communication and learning.
  • Prov…