State of Connecticut Executive Branch

In a state health care facility or community health care program or Southern Connecticut State University this class is accountable for performing in a professional capacity appropriate diagnostic, therapeutic or consultative services for the purpose of preventing, treating, ameliorating or modifying disorders of speech, voice, language and dysphagia with either resident individuals or on a public health outreach basis.

Works under the general supervision of an administrator as assigned.

• Applies principles, methods and procedures for measurement, testing, diagnosis, prediction, counseling or instruction relating to development and disorders of speech, voice, language, hearing and feeding and swallowing or other upper aerodigestive functions for purpose of diagnosing, preventing, treating, ameliorating or modifying such disorders and conditions in individuals or groups of individuals;
• Screens individuals for hearing loss or middle ear pathology using otoacoustic emissions screening, screening tympanometry or conventional pure-tone air conduction methods, including otoscopic inspection;
• Provides some educational seminars, in-service training and/or consultation to families, teachers, allied professionals or paraprofessionals on nature and management of speech, voice and language disorders;
• Observing and charting of speech, voice and language behavior and related areas; 
• Reviews medical and psychological histories;
• Assists in program implementation at home, regional centers and other areas;
• Participates in interdisciplinary team as speech language consultant;
• Prepares some publications and instructional materials;
• Maintains records and prepares reports;
• Performs related duties as required.

• Considerable knowledge of
  • anatomic, physiologic, linguistic and psycholinguistic variables and their relation to development and use of speech, voice, language and dysphagia;
  • understanding of speech and language disorders and management procedures used in habilitation and/or rehabilitation;
• Knowledge of
  • speech and language problems associated with hearing impairment; 
  • diagnostic methods and their applicability to the difficult to test population;
  • pathology of auditory system and assessment of those disorders;
• Considerable
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills;
• Skills
  • in individual and group instruction; 
  • in evaluation of speech and language status and basis of disorders; 
• Ability to
  • interpret medical and psychological data bearing on speech pathology; 
  • prepare reports, records and instructional material;
  • lead and instruct other employees;
  • utilize computer software.

Incumbents in this class must possess and maintain a license as a Speech and Language Pathologist issued by the Connecticut Department of Public Health in accordance with the applicable Connecticut General Statutes.

• Incumbents in this class may be required to be fluent in a foreign language or proficient in the use of American Sign Language in certain designated positions.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

Incumbents in this class may be required to lift and restrain individuals and may have some exposure to communicable and/or infectious diseases, risk of injury from assaultive and/or abusive individuals and exposed to disagreeable conditions.