Title: Speech Language Pathologist
Location: Chicago, IL
Reports To: Director of Student Services
Salary: Starting at $64,000, commensurate with experience
Employee Type: Regular Full Time
Start Date: Fall 2024

Distinctive Schools creates diverse, joyful, welcoming communities rooted in social justice and rigorous learning. We support all learners to be engaged, curious, and to achieve their full potential. Our students become confident advocates, creative problem-solvers, and collaborative leaders.

Position Overview

The Speech Pathologist provides support and conducts student assessments in all areas of communication development. Working in cooperation with network supervisors, teachers, families, and students, the Speech Pathologist is responsible for providing diagnostic and intervention services for students with speech, language, and hearing disorders to improve the communication development and ensure access to the general education curriculum.

Responsibilities

Culture

• Participate in activities that support students’ educational programs
• Keep abreast of best practices in speech and language therapy and language development

Leadership

• Participate in all required Domain, Problem Solving, FIE and annual review meetings as needed
• Provide consultation to teachers, parents and staff as outlined in IEP and treatment plans and as needed in order to effectively support and problem solve individual student need
• Provide staff training and education to school staff and parents in the area of communication development
• Assist and guide teachers in observing, describing, and referring suspected and identified speech and language delays/disorders
• Provide professional development to school staff to support students with communication needs

Collaboration

• Provide consultation to teachers, families and staff
• Consult with teaching teams to develop and implement of curriculum modifications and appropriate classroom strategies such as visual supports, oral motor exercises, language strips, topics of conversation, and data collection
• Ensure students’ skills are generalized across settings by collaborating with teaching teams and related service providers

Assessment/Evaluation

• Ensure evaluations, treatment plans and service delivery are aligned with school, state, and federal guidelines
• Provide appropriate diagnostic assessment services to students using established eligibility criteria
• Conduct assessments, analyzing results, and writing reports to determine strengths and concerns in areas of speech, voice, fluency, pragmatics, language, and oral motor skills
• Provide therapeutic services to eligible students using a continuum of service delivery models
• Develop and implement treatment plans (IEPs/504 and intervention plans) that are strength-based as well as child and family centered for overall educational improvement
• Complete required supervisory activities with speech-language paraprofessional

Compliance

• Maintain accurate records (Maintain an inventory of materials, assessments, and supplies)
• Monthly Statistics
• Daily progress notes
• Weekly documentation of all services delivered
• Quarterly report of student achievement (IEP report cards)
• Follow established attendance reporting procedures
• Attend district, school, and departmental meetings
• Facilitate departmental meetings

Requirements (minimum)

Education: Master’s Degree in Speech Pathology and Communication Disorders

Qualifications

• A valid license issued by the Illinois State Board of Education and Illinois Department of Professional Regulations endorsed as a Speech Pathologist

• A graduate degree in communication disorders or speech pathology from an accredited University or College program

• A valid license or credential issued by the state licensing board, with the appropriate Speech Pathologist endorsement

Physical Demands: Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires 10% sitting, 50% walking, and 40% standing

Benefits

• 25+ Paid holidays & 10 days PTO annually (in addition to summer break for educators/campus positions)
• 12 weeks family paid leave
• Comprehensive Healthcare (Medical, Dental, Vision)
• 403b match
  • Fully match up to 3%
  • 50% match up to 5%
  • Professional development including tuition reimbursement
• Gym and wellness discounts
• And more

Description Disclaimer: Since no job description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the jobholder's responsibility.

EEO: Distinctive Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other personal characteristic protected by applicable law.

Distinctive Schools is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, Distinctive Schools will take the steps to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Accordingly, if reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the position, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact talent@distinctiveschools.org or call 773.828.4191