Summary

SUMMARY: Under direction, provides or assists in providing professional services, including diagnosis and treatment, to individuals with speech and language disorders. Performs the basic measures and diagnostic tests associated with speech and language therapy, and performs therapeutic treatment of patients. Performs related duties as required.

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual in the classification.

1.  Assists in evaluating the patient's communicative abilities by examining the peripheral speech related mechanisms for impairment of vital capacity and tidal air, respiratory control and coordination, laryngeal valving and phonatory function, pharyngeal and palatal activity, articulatory movement of the lips, tongue, jaws and palate; conducts audiological screenings.

2.  Administers diagnostic tests of articulation, language (including semantics, syntax, grammar, morphology and phonology), cognitive language, auditory perception, voice and stuttering.

3.  Carries out treatment of communicative disorders using current principles, theories and practices, assists in the preparation of audio-visual aids for use with patients.

4.  Employs the use of standard clinical equipment such as tape recorders, language master, portable audiometer, audio-visual equipment.

5.  Counsels patients and relatives regarding problems resulting from communicative disorder; instructs patients and relatives in the principles of home treatment; assists in the supervision and training of student speech therapists, assists in acquainting other personnel with the principles and practices of speech therapy.

6.  Keeps records of work performed and prepares reports on the patient's treatment and progress; attends inter-disciplinary staff conference to discuss the problems and progress of various patients.

7.  Participates in ward rounds and in inter-disciplinary staff meetings for planning total patient care; serves as consultant in speech pathology and audiology to other disciplines.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

Education: possession of a Master's Degree or equivalent in Speech Pathology from a school approved by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. 

Required Licenses/Certifications: Qualifies for a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech Pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and a license to practice Speech Pathology in the State of California, by having completed the nine month "Clinical Fellowship Year", and by passing the licensing and certification examination in Speech Pathology.