08/01/1990 31520

SPEECH, LANGUAGE AND HEARING SPECIALIST

DEFINITION: This is professional work in the field of speech, language and hearing.

An employee in this class provides testing and diagnostic services and plans a treatment program of individual and group therapy for persons with auditory, speech, language and related disabilities at a state operated facility. The employee functions as an independent clinician in diagnosis, treatment, and research in the field of auditory, speech and language disabilities. Work involves the application of principles, methodology, and technical skills employed in the treatment of persons having speech, language, hearing, and related disabilities. Work is performed under the general direction of a professional or administrative supervisor who outlines scope and content of programs and reviews work through conferences and reports.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Selects and administers tests to measure and evaluate speech, language, hearing, and related disabilities.

Determines extent of disability and defines habilitation/rehabilitation objectives on the basis or results of testing devices.

Consults with the professional discipline coordinator concerning test results, interview findings, interpretations, and recommendations.

Participates as a member of designated interdisciplinary treatment team and provides speech, language, hearing and related disability program plans, goals and objectives for each assigned client/patient.

Participates in staff training programs in speech, language and hearing and related disabilities.

Participates in inter-departmental seminars.

Instructs persons in the use and care of hearing aids, augmentative communications devices and related adaptive equipment.

Compiles and presents case studies to colleagues.

Participates in research studies designed to maximize effectiveness of a direct services program.

Diagnoses and treats speech, language, hearing and related disabilities such as delayed speech, stuttering, spastic speech, asphasic disorders, dysphagia or disabilities resulting from injury, or hearing disabilites requiring specialized auditory/ communications training, such as lip reading, use of hearing aids, alternative communications methods, augmentative communications devices and improving feeding and swallowing disorders.

Maintains individual progress records.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of current principles, methods, techniques, and procedures used in individual and group treatment of speech, language, audiological and related disabilities.

Knowledge of anatomy and physiology as related to speech, language hearing and related disabilities.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients/patients, their families, professional staff, and other colleagues.

Ability to elicit and summarize in report form case information from clients/patients, medical reports, and other services.

Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.

Ability to apply principles of psychology as related to dealing with individuals suffering from psychological problems resulting from or causing speech, language, hearing or related problems.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Completion of all requirements for a Master's Degree, excluding a thesis, in the field of communicology or a related area, including or supplemented by not less than 24 credit hours in speech pathology and/or audiology earned at either the graduate or undergraduate level.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT: Possession of a certificate of clinical competence from the Council of Professional Standards of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association and/or licensure as required by state law or regulation for professional employment in public schools or approved private schools.