IDEA Public Schools Careers

Speech Language Pathologist 

Special Programs 

Role Mission: 

The Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) is a key member of the Special Programs team and partners with regional instructional leaders, campus leaders, and teachers to maximize student outcomes. As the SLP, you will be responsible for setting ambitious goals for IDEA student achievement and investing students and families in accomplishing them. You will create a powerful learning environment and plan and deliver purposeful therapy in order to close gaps in communication and academic skills. You will assess for the presence of communication disorders, track student progress towards team goals, and analyze data to intervene and adjust therapy, seeking excellence as an educator and IDEA team member. 

The SLP reports directly to the regional Lead SLP. This role involves some minor travel between assigned campuses. 

Location: 

This is a full-time on-site position located in the Mid Rio Grande Valley, serving schools in Donna, Elsa, Alamo, San Juan, Pharr, and Edinburg. Preference will be given to candidates who live in the region, or who are willing to relocate. 

What You’ll Do – Accountabilities 

Essential Duties:  

• Review IEPs and ensure 100% implementation of extensive knowledge and provide top quality speech therapy services.
• Create IEPs aligned to instruction with the collaboration of parents, general educators, special educators, and interventionists.
• Monitor students’ therapy and academic progress throughout the year in order to update goals and request additional testing when deemed necessary.
• Ensure 100% compliance with ARDs by reviewing Special Education Student Rosters for Annual ARDs and Re-Evaluations due dates on a weekly basis.
• Schedule Annual ARDs and Re-Evaluation ARDs prior to due date to ensure 100% compliance.
• Facilitate ARDs and prepare ARD documents in accordance with students’ progress, archive ARD documents, and submit signature pages within specified timely to Manager.
• For dual ARDs, schedule Annual ARDs and Re-Evaluation ARDs prior to due date with Diagnostician, Licensed Specialist School Psychology, and/or Occupational Therapist to ensure 100% compliance.
• For dual ARDs, participate in ARDs and update IEPs, Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance, and schedule of service in accordance with students’ progress.
• Ensure 100% compliance by completing Speech and Language Initials and Re-Evaluations prior to due date as per Texas Education Agency (TEA) timeframe.
• Demonstrate extensive knowledge in the appropriate selection of assessment tools, conducting assessments, interpreting, and identifying students with communication disorders and determine eligibility for services according to IDEA Public Schools Policies and Procedures, TEA Guidelines, and Licensing Boards.
• For qualifying students, develop appropriate speech IEPs aligned to instruction and schedule of service in accordance to the students’ academic needs.
• Maintain Therapy Notes, Tracking Logs, ARD Logs, and Evaluation Logs on a daily basis and review with the Manager on a weekly basis.
• Submit Therapy Logs on a Quarterly Basis to their Manager.
• Maintain SHARS (Medicaid) records and submit SHARS billing on a monthly basis.
• Ensure and monitor students’ progress in order to complete progress reports on a quarterly basis.
• Participate in Annual Performance with their Manager and submit required documentation.
• Communicate a shared vision and shared responsibility to establish and promote efficient implementation of RTI at the school-level throughout the various TIERs.
• Support the RTI Team in providing recommendations for the implementation of speech interventions with high levels of fidelity.
• Conduct formal assessments, planning, and scheduling of ARDs alongside the Diagnostician, Licensed Specialist in School Psychology, and/or Occupational Therapist in order to report evaluation results within TEA timeframe to the ARD Committee.

What You Bring – Competencies 

Knowledge and Skills:  

• Ability to use the accepted tests and measurements to assess communication disorders.
• Knowledge of evaluation, habilitation, and rehabilitation of communication disorders.
• Ability to manage student behaviors and provide recommendations to general educators, special educators, interventionists, and parents.
• Excellent presentation, organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Required experience: 

• 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)
• CFY Interns accepted

Physical Requirements:  

•        Must be able to sit for extended periods of time without being able to leave the work area. 
•        Must be able to climb ladders or scaffolding, or climb and work in overhead areas 
•        Must be able to work in a confined space or to crawl or move about on hands and knees. 
•        Must be able to lift and carry or otherwise move ___ pounds (regularly/occasionally) 
•        Physical ability to work around small children including sitting, standing, running and climbing stairs. 
•        Must be able to lift and carry small children up to 40 pounds in case of emergency. 
•        Must be able to work in indoor and outdoor environments, including in times of excessive heat or cold 

What We Offer: 

Compensation & Benefits: 

Salaries for people entering this role typically fall between $70,000-$82,000, commensurate with relevant experience and qualifications and in alignment with internal equity. This role is also eligible for performance pay based on organizational performance and goal attainment. 

Additionally, we offer medical, dental, and vision plans, disability, life insurance, parenting benefits, flexible spending account options, generous vacation time, referral bonuses, professional development, and a 403(b) plan. You can find more information about our benefits at https://ideapublicschools.org/careers/benefits/. 

* IDEA may offer a relocation stipend to defray the cost of moving for this role, if applicable. 

Application process:  

Submit your application online through Jobvite. Please note that applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible. 

Learn more about IDEA  

At IDEA the Staff Culture and Belonging Team uses our Core Values to promote human connection and a culture of integrity, respect, and belonging for all Team and Family members.  Learn more about our Commitment to Core Values here: https://ideapublicschools.org/our-story/#core-values