Temporary Speech-Language Pathologist

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 320,000 students in 500 schools and employing over 44,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life.  In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity.  Six core values are embedded within these commitments – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.

Job Summary: 

Under the supervision of personnel from the Office for Students with Disabilities and in collaboration with the school principal, Speech-Language Pathologists are responsible for the provision of speech and language diagnostic and therapeutic services to students, collaboration with and support of parents and school support staff, and participation as a multidisciplinary team member.

Speech-Language Pathologists are assigned to schools based on the citywide needs of the district. Job requirements related to general and special education services, evaluation, staffing, and mandated therapeutic services are expected. 

The temporary Speech-Language Pathologist will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Provide therapeutic services to eligible students using a continuum of service delivery models

• Provide diagnostic assessment services to students using the established eligibility and exit criteria
• Develop and implement IEPs utilizing an educationally-based model with goals aligned to educational standards
• Participate in required Domain, Problem Solving, FIE, and Annual Review meetings as needed
• Provide consultation to teachers, parents, and staff
• Provide staff education training to school staff and parents
• Program and utilize augmentative/alternative communication systems
• Participate in activities that support students’ educational programs
• Attend regional and departmental meetings
• Complete compliance activities such as daily progress notes, weekly documentation of all services delivered, quarterly report of student achievement (IEP report cards), and monthly caseload statistics
• Exhibit excellent oral and written communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, and exercise sound professional judgment, especially in interactions with administration, colleagues, families, and students
• Prioritize student safety through the consistent implementation of the Student Code of Conduct and school-wide systems of management and discipline
• Personalize student supports through mastery and innovative use of curriculum supplements and technology resources, as available
• Advocate for the district’s vision and commit to our district’s common themes of equity, cultural competence, high expectations, developmental appropriateness, attention to individual students (including those with special needs), appropriate use of technology, and student assumption of responsibility
• Perform diagnostic assessments for students needing initial evaluations, re-evaluations, or special evaluations and participate in all meetings/conferences to determine eligibility for and adequacy of services on an annual or as-needed basis
• Support students with a wide range of speech–language-related issues to meet academic performance standards. SLPs work includes prevention, assessment, intervention, and program design efforts that are integrated within a school curriculum in conjunction with teachers, parents, and other relevant stakeholders. 
• Complete required supervisory activities of CFY candidates and practicum students as assigned
• Maintain accurate records and follow established departmental policies and procedures
• All clinicians participating in the Health Services Management Program (HSMP) must comply with all policies and procedures of the program as detailed in the ChildServe User Manual and the HSMP Reference Manual to ensure the full delivery, accurate recording, and timely reporting of the services provided to students.

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the temporary Speech-Language Pathologist must possess the following qualifications: 

Education Required:

• A graduate degree in communication disorders or speech pathology from an accredited university or college program

• A valid license issued by the Illinois State Board of Education and Illinois Department of Professional Regulations endorsed as a Speech Pathologist
• Completion of the CPS online application https://www.cps.edu/careers
• Willing to travel to multiple school locations as a citywide speech-language pathologist as needed

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Light Work: Exerting up to twenty (20) pounds of force occasionally, up to ten (10) pounds of force frequently, or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

• Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions, however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.