Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) (Part-time)

The Foundation Schools is a special education day school which delivers innovative school programs and support services for children and adolescents with emotional disabilities, autism spectrum disorders and other learning challenges. For over 40 years, the combination of academic support and therapeutic services has given our students a chance to reach their full potential. The Foundation Schools has schools in Gaithersburg, Largo, Rockville, and Landover, Maryland that serve over 200 students in grades K-12. We are currently accepting resumes for a Part-time Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) for our Gaithersburg campus. 

The mission of The Foundation Schools is to provide a highly specialized educational and therapeutic program for students preparing them to be productive and successful in their future academic and career paths. The Foundation Schools employs special education strategies and techniques to provide quality instruction that results in the students’ mastery of approved curriculum and that promotes social, emotional and cognitive learning. We effectively manage student behavior through implementation of behavior management systems, school rules and policies.

Our Core Values’ provide a strong foundation for our programs, are integrated into our positive behavior intervention system, drive our actions and guide our staff and students daily to TWIRL (Teamwork, Work Ethic, Integrity, Respect, and Leadership). We offer a supportive working environment with small class sizes and excellent resources. The Foundation Schools offers a comprehensive benefit package including tuition assistance and a generous retirement package. Visit our website at www.foundationschools.org for more information.

Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP) at The Foundation Schools provide comprehensive speech and language services to meet the needs of students with oral communication and speech or language impairments.  They screen, evaluate and provide appropriate services to students with communication disorders (articulation, voice, language, fluency) that affect educational performance.  They develop and implement appropriate goals and objectives for each individual student that supports the student’s ability to participate in and access the curriculum.  They consult with parents and other staff members to address the students’ needs and they actively participate in IEP meetings for students with SLP needs.  SLPs must provide related services in accordance with the students’ IEPs.  SLPs effectively manage student behavior through implementation of behavior management systems, school rules, policies, and procedures.  

FLSA STATUS:  Exempt employee

SUPERVISION:  SLPs report to the Clinical Director

QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Experience and Certification

• Master’s degree in speech-language pathology is required Current Maryland license to practice speech and language therapy is required
• Three or more years of successful experience working with children and/or adolescents in a school setting is preferred
• Three or more years of experience working with emotionally disabled students or children with autism is preferred
• Knowledge of current DSM and IDEA and their specific applications to educating students with special education needs and emotional and other disabilities preferred
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) abilities are a plus

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Administer and interpret speech language assessments and screenings for the purpose of diagnosis and recommendation of speech language services; make recommendations for continuance or changes of current speech-language services, or the termination of services
• Provide individualized speech-language services to meet the student’s needs and to correct existing speech-language impairments
• Ensure speech-language service requirements are met to maintain 100% compliance with students’ IEPs and requirements are rendered as prescribed on the IEP
• Assist teachers, diagnostic prescriptive teachers, and other staff in observing, describing and referring suspected and identified speech-language impairments; serve as a resource to school staff in developing a program that meets the students’ oral communication and speech-language development needs
• Make recommendations for selection of augmentative or alternative communication methods for students
• Provide case management for students by collaborating with parents, guardians, and outside agencies; make appropriate referrals for needed services and look for new resources that support students’ speech-language goals for improvement
• Complete accurate comprehensive reports for students as assigned for evaluation purposes. Ensure all outside and internal speech reports are in the files and signed.
• Demonstrate knowledge of and the ability to adapt a variety of speech-language strategies and approaches to meet the needs of individual students; evaluate effectiveness, document, and make modifications based on data, reflection and feedback
• Maintain a safe and therapeutic area that is conducive to providing speech services
• Participate in the development and monitoring of students’ IEPs, BIPs, and FBAs including completion of required documentation within set guidelines
• Complete required related service notes and billing documentation accurately and within assigned deadlines
• Demonstrate an understanding of how our students’ disabilities impact their behavior and ability to learn; display knowledge of students’ diagnoses and adapt intervention strategies accordingly to meet the requirements of the students’ IEPs and BIPs
• Effectively manage student behavior through implementation of behavior management systems, school rules, policies, and procedures; model appropriate behavior for students during the school day
• Proactively identify behaviors among all students that could lead to a crisis, an unsafe situation or disrupt the learning environment; use effective behavior management techniques to address these behaviors in order to limit the severity and length of disruptions
• Proactively provide supervision of students to ensure the safety and security of the school program at all times
• Maintain student confidentiality in accordance with The Foundation Schools Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest Statement and student record confidentiality procedures
• Demonstrate appropriate use of verbal de-escalation skills to manage student behaviors; utilize the behavior continuum in order to use or consider the use of the least restrictive behavioral interventions necessary; use effective, appropriate, and approved strategies during a crisis including the participation in seclusions, therapeutic holds, escorts, and student restraints when necessary; consistently, and appropriately utilize and model TACT 2 techniques or classroom behavior management strategies
• Work with other SLPs, therapists, teachers, school leaders, and other team members to determine the student and/or classroom needs and adjust interventions and practices to best meet those needs; work with team to develop interventions and/or incentive plans when appropriate
• Actively participate in committees, meetings, supervision, and professional development activities
• Consistently model and implement the organization’s core values to drive actions and to guide our students to incorporate Teamwork, Work Ethic, Integrity, Respect, and Leadership into positive behaviors
• Comply with all of The Foundation Schools’ policies, rules, protocols, and procedures
• Complete other duties as assigned