Full Or Part Time Speech Therapist ~ Special Education

Exciting Speech Pathology position available at Ballarat Specialist School:

• Negotiable days and hours
• Open to graduate and experienced speech pathologists 
• No experience in Special Education setting required
• Flexible time fraction and work hours
• Only work during school terms, enjoy 11 weeks of holiday leave.
• Onsite support and supervision available from a senior speech pathologist.
• Work in one of the largest specialist schools in Victoria 
• Enjoy working with a supportive team of health professionals in a dedicated allied health hub and soon to be upgraded school facilities.
• Access to a wide range of resources and professional development budget.
• Competitive pay range (Range 4, $88,738 - $104,630)

Location Profile

Speech Pathologists at Ballarat Specialist School (BSS) work with children with a range of disabilities. These disabilities include mild, moderate and profound intellectual disability and developmental delay. The students who attend Ballarat Specialist School are aged between 5 and 18 years.  The speech pathologists at BSS may also consult students in the Early Learning Centre (ELC), aged between 3 and 4 years old.

1. Knowledge, ability and experience in the provision of speech pathology services, in the area of
paediatrics and developmental disorders
2. Demonstrated ability to provide a range of assessments, program planning and implementation of
intervention
3. Demonstrated ability to evaluate programs and your professional performance and provide evidence of
outcomes
4. Commitment to working collaboratively with children, parents and carers, teachers and assistants,
therapists and other professionals and agencies
5. Ability to work independently, to accept supervision as required and an ability to seek support and
implement recommendations
6. Willingness to engage in professional development activities, especially related to the range of
impairments, intervention and evidenced based practice required to provide a quality service
7. Demonstration of high quality verbal and written communication skills

The speech pathologist provides assessment, treatment and consultative services to students at BSS, and promotes capacity building for staff across the school. 

The role of the speech pathologist working in schools is to assist the student towards maximum access to, and participation in, all aspects of the school curriculum. This includes academic areas and those related to speech, language, communication and safe swallowing skills.

The speech pathologist works with the allied health assistants, teachers, education support staff, other professionals, parents and the students to develop and implement support strategies that are reflected in the individual educational plan (IEP) and disability inclusion profile (DIP).

Responsibilities of the speech pathologist:

• Independently, with clinical supervision support, provide high quality standard speech pathology services (assessment, treatment and consultation) which focus on assisting the students to develop their speech, language, communication and safe swallowing skills.
• Apply evidence-based interventions, evaluate and modify interventions and report on outcomes of interventions.
• Provide documentation of speech pathology services provided, including progress notes, service reports, programs, health and communication support plans and assessments reports for DIP.
• Work collaboratively with the teacher, other professionals, parents, and the student to assist in establishing Individual Education Plan (ILP) goals and support strategies. 
• Communicate professionally with school staff, parents and external agencies. 
• Conduct training and instruction to school staff within areas of the professional speech pathology field and within expected level of experience.  
• Attend the required meetings. This can include staff meeting, professional learning committee meetings and other team meetings.
• Develop a professional development plan and participate in performance reviews.
• Adhere to privacy legislation, policies and procedures of the Ballarat Specialist School.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to ongoing professional development.
• Participate in clinical supervision sessions and identify cases and issues which require guidance and supervision from a senior clinician.

Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.

The Department of Education is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, and diversity and inclusion for all. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms – gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for roles within the Department.  The Department recognises that the provision of family friendly, supportive, safe and harassment free workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work, diversity and safety across all schools and Department workplaces.  It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for persons with a disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants can contact Brett West, Yamatji man, in the Koorie Outcomes Division to talk about the recruitment process, the Department and supports for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in the Department. Mobile: 0477 726 *** or email on: **********@education.vic.gov.au

Victorian government schools are child safe environments. Our schools actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all school staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, in accordance with their legal obligations including child safe standards. All schools have a Child Safety Code of Conduct consistent with the Department’s exemplar available at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/health/protect/Pages/childsafestandards.aspx

The Department’s employees commit to upholding DET’s Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. DET’s Values complement each school’s own values and underpin the behaviours the community expects of Victorian public sector employees, including those who work in Victorian Government Schools. Information on the DET values is available at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/workm/Pages/Public-Sector-Values.aspx

Qualifications:
Essential: Bachelor or Master Degree in Speech Pathology or equivalent
Eligible for Membership Speech Pathology Australia
Current Working with Children’s Check type ‘E’
Desirable: Current Victorian Driver’s License

Contact Information
For further information please contact:-
Jess Bothe Integrated Services Team Leader
P: 03 5334 1***
F: 03 5334 2***
*************@education.vic.gov.au

• All staff employed by the Department and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements.
• Appointment of successful applicants will be made subject to a satisfactory pre-employment conditions check.
• A probationary period may apply during the first year of employment and induction and support programs provided.
• Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the Department's Human Resources website at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/Pages/default.aspx