Develops, coordinates, and implements programs providing evaluation and therapeutic services for persons with a wide variety of speech, language, and swallowing differences and disorders. May direct and supervise speech language programs.
Positions assigned to this class are responsible for extensive evaluation and therapeutic program services and/or the supervision of speech and hearing therapeutic programs.
Screens, identifies, assesses, interprets, diagnoses, rehabilitates, researches, and prevents disorders of speech, language, voice, oral-pharyngeal function, and cognitive/communication skills. Develops and dispenses augmentative and alternative communication systems and provides training in their use. Provides aural rehabilitation and counseling services to hearing impaired individuals and their families. Enhances speech-language proficiency and communication effectiveness. Screens hearing, limited to a pass-fail determination. Screens other skills for the purpose of speech-language evaluation. Identifies individuals with other communication disorders. Conducts extensive communication and swallowing diagnostic and therapy programs. Supervises and evaluates speech and hearing program services and activities. Assesses and treats persons with communication and swallowing disorders including but not limited to speech production, fluency, language, cognition, voice, resonance, hearing, and all aspects of swallowing including related feeding behaviors. Develops standards for the delivery of skilled speech therapy services. Prepares and conducts in-service training programs. Develops and implements remediation programs for communication and swallowing . Coordinates assessment results with other diagnostic data, including educational, medical, social, and behavioral information. Adapts therapy material and equipment to individual and group therapy sessions. Consults and participates in interdisciplinary team meetings with medical, educational, and other professional groups on the diagnosis and treatment of speech and hearing impairments.
Knowledge of approved principles, procedures, techniques, and instrumentation used in the individual and group treatment of speech, language, and hearing disorders. Knowledge of classifications, causes, and manifestations of speech, language, and hearing disorders. Knowledge of speech testing and evaluation procedures and of hearing defects. Knowledge of the principles of psychology and education related to teaching individuals with speech and hearing impairments. Ability to operate equipment such as pure tone audiometers and to interpret test results. Ability to supervise a staff of speech and hearing professionals. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients, their families, and other staff members.
Must hold a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) and be licensed by the South Carolina Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.
A master's degree in speech pathology and audiology or communication science disorders from an accredited college or university and experience in providing skilled speech pathology and audiology services.