Language/Speech Pathologist’s Job Description

Job Duties: 

When diagnosing students, a speech-language pathologists for the Quitman County School District should  perform the following with fidelity:

• Communicate with students to evaluate their levels of speech or language difficulty.
• Determine the extent of communication matters by having a student complete basic reading and vocalizing tasks or by giving standardized assessments.
• Identify treatment options.
• Create and carry out an individualized treatment plan and then write an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for the student.

*Complete Current Levels of Performances for each students with a Language/Speech IEP.

*Complete BDI Entry and Exit Assessments

*MEET ALL DEADLINES as provided by the Quitman County School District and the Mississippi Department of Education.

When servicing students, speech-language pathologists for the Quitman County School District perform the following:

• Teach students how to make sounds and improve their voices.
• Teach alternative communication methods, such as sign language, to students with little or no speech capability.
• Work with students to improve their ability to read and write correctly.
• Work with students to develop and strengthen the muscles used to swallow.
• Counsel students and families on how to cope with communication disorders.

Be reminded that the above list is merely a few of the tasks that Language/Speech Pathologists within the Quitman County School District perform.

Career Overview: 

Speech-language pathologists (sometimes called speech therapists) assess, diagnose, treat, and help to prevent communication and swallowing disorders in students. Speech, language, and swallowing disorders result from a variety of causes, such as a stroke, brain injury, hearing loss, developmental delay, a cleft palate, cerebral palsy, or emotional problems.               

Speech-language pathologists work with students who have problems with speech. Their students may be unable to speak at all or they may speak with difficulty or have rhythm and fluency problems, such as stuttering. They may work with those who are unable to understand language or with people who have voice disorders, such as inappropriate pitch or a harsh voice.

Speech-language pathologists must also complete administrative tasks, including keeping accurate records. They record their initial student evaluations and diagnoses, treatment progress, any changes in a student’s condition or treatment plan, and, eventually, they complete a final evaluation when the student finishes the therapy.

Speech/Language Pathologists work with teachers, other school personnel, and parents to develop and carry out individual or group programs, provide counseling, and support classroom activities.

Speech/Language Pathologists carry out other duties deemed necessary by the Quitman County School District’s Director of Special Education.

Reports to: Quitman County School District’s Director of Special Education

Education: The standard level of education for speech-language pathologists is a master’s degree.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Speech-language pathologists must be licensed. A license requires at least a master’s degree and supervised clinical experience. Graduation from an accredited master’s program is a requirement. CCC-SLP is also required.

Important Qualities

Communication skills. Speech-language pathologists need to communicate test results, diagnoses, and proposed treatments in a way that students and their families can understand.

Compassion. Speech-language pathologists work with people who are often frustrated by their difficulties. Speech-language pathologists must be able to support emotionally demanding students and their families.

Critical-thinking skills. Speech-language pathologists must be able to adjust their treatment plans as needed, finding alternative ways to help their students.

Detail oriented. The work of speech-language pathologists requires intense concentration because they must closely listen to what students are able to say and then help them improve their speech.

Listening skills. Speech-language pathologists must listen to a student’s symptoms and problems to decide on a course of treatment.

Patience. Speech-language pathologists may work with students who achieve goals slowly and need close attention.

Other: Speech-Language Pathologists may be asked by the Quitman County School District’s Director of Special Education to perform other professional duties that are not listed in this job description.