SPEECH PATHOLOGIST/AUDIOLOGIST II7262F2 Pay Grade: 29 DEFINITION OF WORK Summary This is supervisory, consultative, and administrative professional work in the clinical study and treatment of speech, language, and hearing disorders. Work involves planning, organizing, and directing a speech pathology program and participating in research programs in speech pathology or audiology. Incumbents usually specialize exclusively either in Speech Pathology or Audiology, but may have overlapping areas of responsibility. Standard Classification Factors Supervision Received - LEVEL E: "Under administrative direction…" At this level, employees are free to plan, develop and organize all phases of the work necessary for its completion within program guidance. Generally, they can develop and utilize any procedures and methods which do not conflict with major policies. Supervision is generally exercised over them through staff conference-type discussions and a review of progress reports. Difficulty - LEVEL C: Considerable… Duties which require a high degree of concentration because of the many factors which must be considered and weighed before a decision can be reached. Usually positions that require planning, developing, and coordinating programs and directing fairly large groups of people fall into this category. Complexity - LEVEL D: Work is of a diversified nature that usually involves multiple unrelated steps. Analytical thought is necessary for dealing with complex data and situations. Work often involves a variety of unrelated processes and may require planning or carrying out a sequence of actions or both. Several alternatives usually exist at this level for approaching problems or situations. Workers at this level exercise a considerable amount of independent judgment. Work is controlled by occasional review and by reporting to or consultation with supervisors or superiors. When guidelines exist at this level, they are usually broadly defined or technical requiring careful analysis and interpretation. Consequence of Actions or Decisions - LEVEL D: Consequences of actions or decisions at this level are significant as the work may be rarely if ever reviewed, making errors difficult to detect. Errors may cause major program failure or a high degree of confusion. Injuries to others due to errors are serious or incapacitating or both and costs due to errors are substantial. Contacts - LEVEL D: The purpose of the contact is to justify, defend, negotiate, persuade or interrogate to settle matters, maintain good will, gain cooperation or reach compromises when the information is controversial or the individuals or groups have strong differences of opinions or diverse viewpoints. Extensive use of communication techniques and well developed communication skills are required for dealing with others. Physical Demands - LEVEL B: The work requires light physical exertion. The employee may be required to perform handling activities with lightweight or easily moved items (e.g. books, file folders, boxes of office supplies, small machine parts, etc.); perform moving activities for brief periods; operate light equipment; perform repetitive motions for brief periods; confined to a work area. Environmental Conditions - LEVEL A: The work environment involves normal everyday hazards or discomforts typical of offices, meeting and training rooms, or libraries. Comfortable levels of temperature, ventilation, lighting and sound are inherent in the work environment. Exposure to deviations from pleasant environmental conditions is only occasional. The likelihood of injury is remote. Supervision/Leadership - LEVEL C: Typically involves limited supervisory responsibility which entails performing as a "first line supervisor" for a small number of employees. Supervision is not the primary responsibility of the job. Responsibility includes training, instructing, scheduling, and reviewing work and recommending hiring and disciplinary actions to a higher level of authority. Distinguishing Features Differs from the Speech Pathologist/Audiologist I class which does not administer programs and has only limited supervisory responsibility over university students or paraprofessionals. Differs from the Speech Pathologist/Audiologist III which has responsibility for directing complex experimental clinical programs. EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED Establishes and maintains departmental policies concerning testing in speech pathology and audiology; supervises the selection, administration, and interpretation of diagnostic speech and hearing tests, and reviews and approves the interpretations made. Confers with speech pathologists concerning treatment techniques to use in unusual cases; conducts classes for and advises with speech pathology students. Conducts and interprets the most difficult diagnostic speech and hearing tests; engages in group or individual speech therapy necessitating advanced therapeutic techniques. Serves as speech and hearing consultant to other staff members doing research; works with representatives of affiliated colleges and universities in setting up a clinical training program for students of speech pathology. Makes recommendations concerning the department budget including personnel, supplies, and equipment. Supervises lower level Speech Pathologists/Audiologists by assigning, reviewing and evaluating their work. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS Knowledge *Knowledge of the causes of, and therapeutic techniques and practices pertinent to speech or hearing disorders. *Knowledge of the growth and development of the child physically, emotionally, socially, and intellectually. *Knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the speech and hearing mechanisms. *Knowledge of the materials and equipment used for testing and correcting speech or hearing disorders. Knowledge of the practices and techniques of supervision. Abilities *Ability to administer and interpret diagnostic speech and hearing tests. *Ability to establish and maintain satisfactory relationships with patients, patient's relatives, and hospital personnel. *Ability to plan, organize, and direct a clinical speech pathology or audiology program. *Necessary at Entry MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: Eligible to be licensed License to practice as a speech pathologist/ audiologist in the State of Kansas at the time of hire and one year of experience planning, directing or conducting habilitation and rehabilitation treatment programs to restore communicative efficiency of individuals. Necessary Special Requirements: REV: 09/88 |