Definition

Provides professional speech, language, and/or audiology services to individuals with communicative disabilities such as language or articulation disorders, hearing loss or impairments, cerebral palsy, cleft palate, stuttering or voice disorders, neurological speech disorders, or delayer/disordered articulation and language.

Distinguishing Characteristics

In an institution, residential facility, or as a member of an interdisciplinary team, develops habilitation or rehabilitation programs for individuals with speech, language, voice, fluency or hearing disabilities and monitors/evaluates their progress.

Typical Work

Identifies and evaluates hearing, language, and speech abilities using various diagnostic tools;

Develops treatment programs with the cooperation of physicians, speech pathologists, audiologists, psychologists, social workers, physical and occupational therapists, counselors and teachers;

Plans and provides for evaluation and treatment of individuals including: the provision for follow-up auditory threshold evaluations on persons failing the initial test measures and on those who are unable to participate in routine evaluation procedures, behavioral observation audiometry techniques, visual reinforcement audiometry techniques, play audiometry, standard pure tone or speech audiometry techniques, site of lesion testing, impedance audiometry, TROCA (tangible reinforcement operant conditioning audiometry) and other advanced testing techniques such as auditory brainstem response audiometry;

Confers with family, clinical personnel, teachers, and other professional staff in the evaluation, treatment, and progression of client;

Directs and evaluates speech-language or audiology students;

Provides non-medical rehabilitation services to persons when appropriate, including: hearing aid selection, fitting and training procedures, use of auditory training equipment, application of audiometry training, speech reading, sign language training and counseling procedures, and preventative hearing conservation measures;

Uses appropriate treatment methods for receptive and expressive language disabilities, aural habilitation/rehabilitation, articulation and voice disorders, stuttering and development of alternative means of communication (e.g., language board, sign language, etc.);

Uses equipment such a digital audio recorders, software/hardware-based speech analysis systems, visi-pitch, computer-assisted and augmentive communication devices, audiometers and assistive listening devices, and other specialized apparatus for communication needs;

Assists with research and development.

Performs other work as required.

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of: principles and techniques of speech pathology and language development; anatomy and physiology of the auditory and vocal mechanisms; phonetics, speech and voice science; specialized equipment and testing techniques used in evaluation and treatment of hearing and other communication disorders associated with hearing impairment; principles and techniques of aural habilitation/rehabilitation; educational and psychological needs of persons with communicative disorders; language development; principles of psychology and child development.

Ability to: Establish and maintain effective relationships with individuals and groups; speak and write effectively; use special equipment for evaluation and remediation of communication disorders; work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.

Legal Requirement(s)

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Desirable Qualifications

A Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology/Audiology or Communicative Disorders or equivalent degree approved by the American Speech/Language and Hearing Association.

AND

A Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech/Language and Hearing Association.

One year of experience as a speech pathologist, audiologist, or equivalent is preferred.

Class Specification History

New class consolidates:   (formerly  57460 Speech Pathologist 1;  32480 Audiologist;   6174 Audiologist;   6175 Speech Pathologist  )   Adopted May 11, 2007  Effective July 1 2007