National Speech Language Pathologist (23-24)

Description

National Speech Language Pathologist

Position Overview:

As a National Speech Language Pathologist at IDEA Public Schools, you will set ambitious goals for student achievement and invest in students and families to accomplish them. You will create a powerful learning environment for Occupational Therapists and Speech Language Pathologists, and plan for and train Managers in supporting their therapists in providing high-quality therapy to close gaps in students’ abilities to function and be successful in their academic skills. You will support Managers and Therapists in tracking student progress toward goals and analyze data to intervene and adjust therapy. Additionally, you will help produce high-quality therapists and ensure success as an IDEA team member by focusing on IDEA’s vision, mission, values, and goals.

You will report to the Director of Special Program Compliance. The ideal candidate will be comfortable with ambiguity and change and will seek and respond well to feedback, which is shared often and freely across all levels of the organization. You will work in building strong cross-departmental relationships in order to achieve outcomes.

Location:   

The National Speech Language Pathologist must currently live in or be willing to relocate to Texas, with preference for one of our regions in Austin, El Paso, Houston, Permian Basin, San Antonio, Tarrant County, or the Rio Grande Valley. 

Travel Expectations: Willing to travel 1-2 times per month and up to 30% of the time during the busiest parts of the year

Responsibilities:

1. Ensure that 100% of Occupational Therapists and Speech-Language Pathologists are hired at every IDEA region across the growing network by June 1 by supporting the hiring manager and tracking new hire progress.

• Work alongside the Human Assets Team to conceptualize the marketing needs to support upcoming hires.
• Work with regional hiring managers and national managers in selecting the best candidates for the roles.

1. Create and improve practices that ensure therapists provide and monitor effective therapy and evaluations as well as campus stakeholder support as indicated by state and federal guidelines.
   • Monitor and support SLPs in meeting deadlines by ensuring 100% compliance by reviewing PEIMS & Frontline Reports.
   • Review progress notes, tracking logs, & Medicaid billing consistently submitted by SLPs.
   • Support and coach Managers on proper IEP documentation as per state guidelines.
   • Review SLP evaluation reports to develop and refine report writing skills by developing professional development.
   • Review Quarterly Audit trends to capitalize on SLP strengths and identify areas for improvement.
   • Discuss with Therapists and promote efficient implementation of RTI at the school-level throughout the various TIERs.
2. Monitor contract services in regions without therapists or leads to ensure services are rendered appropriately and timelines are met.
   • Maintain communication with contract SLPs to ensure adherence to timelines.
   • Review evaluations completed by contract SLPs to ensure goals and objectives are appropriate.
   • Review recommendations to ensure goals and objectives are school-based.
   • Participate in the formal assessment, planning, and scheduling of ARDs alongside the Diagnostician/Licensed Specialist in School Psychology in order to report evaluation results within TEA timeframe to the ARD Committee.
3. Create a powerful learning environment for SLPs.
   • Observe facilitation of ARD meetings and therapy sessions in order to maximize SLP effectiveness.
   • Understand the learning continuum for SLPs as they grow and develop in their role to differentiate the level of coaching needed.
   • Utilize the SLP Rubric to determine professional development needs to provide high-quality professional development opportunities.
   • Create a district assistive technology team and process, while supporting regions through evaluations and equipment needs/orders.

Qualifications:

• Valid Driver’s License
• Master’s Degree in Communication Disorders from an accredited college or university.
• Valid Texas License as a Speech Language Pathologist granted by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
• National Certification of Clinical Competence granted by the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA)

Experience:

• Minimum of one year of pediatric and/or school-based experience in evaluation, habilitation, and rehabilitation of communication disorders and conditions.
• Oral and written fluency in second language (Spanish) preferred. 

Knowledge and Skills:

• Knowledge and ability to assess students for communication disorders and determine eligibility for services using various assessment tools.
• Ability to plan and provide appropriate individual and group therapy to students consistent with occupational therapy goals contained in Individual Education Plan (IEP) and collaborate with general educators, special educators, and interventionists in order to plan and implement classroom-based activities to improve communication skills
• Facilitate and participate in the Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) Committee regarding interpretation of assessment data, appropriate placement, and goal setting for students with communication disorders, in accordance with IDEA Public Schools Policies and Procedures, Texas Education Agency (TEA) guidelines, and Licensing Boards.
• Develop and provide district wide trainings to school personnel and parents in the identification and understanding of students with communication disorders.
• Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other documents required by IDEA Public Schools.

Compensation & Benefits:  

Salaries for people entering this role typically fall between 73,955 and 90,225, commensurate with relevant experience and qualifications and in alignment with internal equity. This role is also eligible for a performance bonus based on team performance and goal attainment.   

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 

At IDEA we recognize that racism, bias, and privilege exist in society. We are committed to an organizational culture that promotes awareness and inclusivity for our students and staff, and supports their path to positively impact our broader society. We are committed to recognizing the impact of racism and privilege, and commit as an organization to have equitable practices, policies, and structures.  Visit https://ideapublicschools.org/dei/ to learn about IDEA’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Anti-Racist and Anti-Bias commitment. 

Learn more about IDEA 

• IDEA’s Core Values