National Flex Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (23-24)

National Flex Licensed Specialist in School Psychology

Position Overview:

As a Flex Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP) at IDEA Public Schools, you will set ambitious goals for student achievement and invest in students and families to accomplish them. Your role will focus on creating a powerful learning environment for LSSPs and Educational Diagnosticians. As a National Flex LSSP you will plan for and train managers in supporting their LSSPs/Ed Diagnosticians in providing high-quality evaluations and counseling, and tracking student progress towards goals to close gaps in students’ abilities to function and be successful in their academic skills. Additionally, you will help produce high quality evaluators and ensure success as an IDEA team member by focusing on IDEA’s vision, mission, values, and goals.

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

In this role you will:

1. Hiring Support:

• Ensure that all IDEA regions across the growing network hire 100% of LSSPS/ED diags 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 manager and national managers in selecting the best candidates for the roles.

1. Quality Improvement:

• 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 LSSPs and Ed diags in meeting deadlines by ensuring 100% compliance by reviewing PEIMS & Frontline Reports
• Review that progress notes, tracking logs, & Medicaid billing are submitted consistently for Sped teachers and Special Ed counseling
• Support and coach Managers on proper IEP documentation as per state guidelines. Also, review evaluation reports to develop and refine report writing skills by developing professional development
• Review Quarterly Audit trends to capitalize on LSSP and Ed diags strengths and identify areas for improvement

1. Contract Services:

• Monitor contract services in regions without therapists or leads to ensure services are rendered appropriately and timelines are met.
• Maintain communication with SPDS and with contract LSSPs and Ed diags to ensure adherence to timelines
• Review evaluations completed by contract LSSPS & Ed diags to ensure goals and objectives are appropriate for counseling and SPED teachers
• Review recommendations to ensure goals and objectives are school-based in counseling.
• 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.

1. Learning Environment:

• Create a powerful learning environment for LSSPS/Ed diags.
• Observe facilitation of ARD meetings and therapy sessions to maximize LSSP/Ed diag effectiveness.
• Understand the learning continuum for LSSPS/Ed diags as they grow and develop in their role to differentiate the level of coaching needed.
• Utilize the LSSP/Ed diag 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.

Required skills:

• Knowledge of procedures for assessing achievement and intellectual, emotional, and behavioral functions for education purposes, including cross-battery evaluation practices
• Knowledge of prevention and intervention strategies, including behavior management interventions
• Knowledge of psycho-social development
• Strong consultation skills for conferencing with teachers, parents, and students
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to manage multiple requests, deadlines, and priorities

Required experience

• Master’s degree in psychology from an accredited college or university
• Valid Texas license as a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology granted by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists

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