ESE SPEECH & LANGUAGE THERAPIST

Orange County Public Schools•Orlando, FL

About The Position

The ESE Speech & Language Therapist uses specialized knowledge and skills to support student achievement in language and literacy through consultation, collaboration, and direct and indirect speech-language services. Services are provided to students, teachers, and parents in accordance with local, state, and federal guidelines. The therapist supports a positive learning environment and collaborates with classroom teachers, administrators, curriculum specialists, and other staff in developing and implementing school programs and goals. The position provides educationally relevant speech-language assessment, evaluation, therapy, consultation, and progress monitoring for students with communication disorders. The therapist develops IEP communication goals and benchmarks, implements evidence-based services using appropriate delivery models, and helps school personnel understand how spoken and written language affects student achievement. The role also involves maintaining required records, communicating with families and school personnel, participating in school and department meetings, and maintaining professional certification or licensure.

Requirements

Master’s or doctoral degree in Speech/Language Pathology or Communication Sciences and Disorders from an accredited institution; alternatively, a bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a two-year non-renewable Temporary Certificate in Speech-Language Impaired (Grades K–12) while completing requirements for the five-year Professional Certificate.
Must have or obtain a Speech-Language Impaired Certificate (Grades K–12) from the Florida State Department of Education or Florida Department of Health state licensure in Speech/Language Pathology.
Knowledge of speech and language development and related theory and practice in educational settings.
Awareness of therapy intervention and learning processes.
Knowledge of support-service delivery systems, exceptional education services, and current speech-language pathology diagnostic procedures.
Knowledge of organization and management theory and practice.
Commitment to facilitating achievement of district expected results.
Ability to communicate and work effectively with people and focus human and financial resources on district expected results.
Ability to facilitate group processes involving consensus building, conflict resolution, planning, and decision-making.
Ability to focus human and financial resources on quality teaching and learning.

Nice To Haves

Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, or eligibility for the certificate.

Responsibilities

Work with administrators and instructional teams to plan and implement hands-on programs and activities for students and the school.
Participate actively with faculty and staff and collaborate in planning, implementing, and evaluating continuing school-improvement programs.
Manage the classroom and supervise the proper care of equipment.
Participate in professional growth activities to acquire new and improved skills and knowledge.
Diagnose and analyze student progress and programs to provide instruction appropriate to students’ developmental stages.
Use varied instructional techniques, technology, current research, and classroom-management techniques to meet student needs and support an effective classroom climate.
Show sensitivity to students, parents, and the community; promote student self-esteem and maintain professional relationships between the school and parents.
Maintain parent contact through conferences, IEP meetings, telephone, or written communications, and encourage parental involvement in school activities.
Maintain required records, including attendance records and student progress reports, and protect student and school property.
Keep current with job-related technology, attend district-supported training as needed, and maintain timely and accurate electronic student data.
Consult with teachers and parents on strategies and techniques to support students at risk for speech, language, and literacy difficulties.
Collaborate with professionals to analyze speech and language behaviors and develop targeted interventions.
Attend IEP team meetings and other school meetings when necessary and feasible.
Provide professional development in assigned schools to help personnel identify and understand the effects of spoken and written language on student achievement.
Communicate assessment results and student progress effectively to educational staff, parents, and students.
Communicate with outside agencies and personnel in accordance with state, federal, and local policy.
Keep school principals and the District ESE Administrator informed about critical issues and incidents.
Participate in department meetings, contribute suggestions and professional information, and assist with decision-making.
Support student achievement through direct and indirect speech-language interventions.
Develop educationally relevant communication goals and benchmarks for IEPs based on speech-language assessment results.
Plan and provide appropriate, evidence-based speech-language therapy services to meet IEP goals and benchmarks.
Use classroom-based direct services, consultation and collaboration, and pull-out services as appropriate to student needs and the least restrictive environment.
Schedule duties using a systematic workload model to organize the Speech-Language Program within the school.
Conduct authentic and standardized assessments that reflect students’ speech and language proficiency and the educational relevance of communication disorders.
Conduct speech-language evaluations and reevaluations for ESE eligibility and continued services.
Monitor student progress using relevant data and use that data to prescribe appropriate therapeutic services.
Follow Florida State Eligibility Criteria for the Speech-Language Impaired Program and State Board of Education Rules.
Maintain educational certification and/or professional licensure and adhere to professional ethics and values.
Compile, maintain, and file required physical and computerized reports, records, and documents.
Perform other relevant duties and responsibilities assigned by the supervisor.