Position is for the 2023-2024 School Year

SUMMARY: The Speech Language Pathologist Assistant provides educational and clerical support services to the credentialed Language, Speech, and Hearing Therapist; completes a variety of tasks such as activities designed to develop pre-language and language skills, oral-motor control for speech production, vocalization, and use of assistive technology devices for communication; works with students who have identified speech and language disorders as well as other disabilities; works effectively with certificated staff to provide the best possible learning environment for all students, and assists with the supervision and instruction of students as directed by the assigned certificated staff.

ABOUT CHIEF LESCHI SCHOOLS: Formerly known as the Puyallup Tribal School, Chief Leschi Schools was founded in 1976 to address the high dropout rate of the youth of the Puyallup tribe. It is the largest of seven tribal schools in the state of Washington and one of approximately 200+ tribal schools in the United States. It is also one of the largest tribal schools to be funded by the Bureau of Indian Education.

COVID-19 Vaccine - The Puyallup Tribe of Indians Tribal Council on August 26, 2021 confirmed their directive legally requiring all Chief Leschi Schools employees to be fully vaccinated. Your vaccine status will be verified at New Employee Orientation. Please reach out to the HR Office at HR@leschischools.org for information on medical accommodations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

• Conducts speech and language screenings, without interpretation, and uses screening protocols developed by the Language, Speech, and Hearing Therapist
• Provides direct treatment assistance to students
• Follows and implements documented treatment plans or protocols
• Documents student progress toward meeting established objectives and reports the information to therapist
• Assists the therapist during assessments by assisting with documentation and performing clerical duties
• Prepares therapy material and/or equipment for use in therapy activities; adapts or modifies instructional materials and/or equipment as determined by student needs and abilities
• Assists in maintaining student records, tallying data, preparing charts, records, graphs and reports
• Observes and reports significant behavioral patterns or other problems to the therapist
• Assists in maintaining appropriate behavior between activities; and prepares various teaching materials such as charts, pictures, word lists, and other related items
• Performs other duties as assigned

This list is meant to be representative, not exhaustive. Some incumbents may not perform all the duties listed, while in other cases related duties may also be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Associate of Arts degree from an accredited college/university in speech-language pathology or communication disorders
• Graduation from a speech language pathology assistant program
• Current registration in Washington state as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in related field Knowledge of traditional Native American cultures and values
• Experience and/or training specifically focused in the areas of education, speech, language, behavior or a closely related educational field
• Prior SLPA experience in an educational setting

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must be bondable

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:

Successful criminal background clearance Successful and/or clear drug screening

• Must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to hire

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Speech and language pathology equipment, materials, and procedures; normal speech, language, and hearing development
• Language disorders, articulation disorders, acquired disorders and rehabilitation Learning patterns in children; student behavior management techniques and strategies Learning difficulties of children with special education needs
• English language usage, punctuation, spelling, and grammar; basic math skills Routine office procedures, recordkeeping and standard software applications Positive behavior interventions
• Age appropriate activities

ABILITY TO:

• Take initiative and work independently Communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Appropriately use a variety of screening tools and protocols
• Provide effective implementation of therapy objectives; interact and communicate effectively with children and adults from different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds
• Maintain effective working relationships with individuals and groups in a multicultural and diverse community, to include working collaboratively with school and central office administrators, parents, and community members
• Demonstrate understanding of and experience with cultural competence Comply with school board policies and follow administrative procedures Operate a computer and use standard software applications
• React with flexibility and sensitivity to changing situations and needs
• Work with and relate to Native American children and serve as a positive role model Understand and maintain confidentiality
• Organize activities, collect data, set priorities, and follow instructions Use basic job-related equipment
• Comply with school board policies and follow administrative procedures

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP: Reports to the supervising Speech Language Pathologist; evaluated by the Director of Special Education.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and stand for long periods of time. The employee must frequently reach with hands and arms and is regularly required to talk or hear; stand and/or walk; bend, stoop, twist, squat, and kneel; and use hands to finger, handle, feel and perform fine motor manipulation. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds. Anything over the weight limits should be done as a two-person lift or with a mechanical lift.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works indoors, occasionally near visual displays. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Chief Leschi Schools is an Equal Opportunity /M/F/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer, except as provided under the Indian Preference Act.