School Careers in Special Education and Related Services in Nevada
Health Careers in Nevada
In collaboration with the Office of Statewide Initiatives and the Nevada Health Workforce Research Center, we have created a biennial publication titled Health Care Careers in Nevada highlighting over 70 health care careers, average salaries, job expectations, and educational opportunities throughout the state. source
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Educational Audiologists
Nature of the work/Job Descriptions
Educational Audiologists specialize in the effects of hearing and listening deficits on the ability of children and youth to access communication and learning. Typical responsibilities include hearing screenings, assessment, amplification, habilitation, counseling, prevention, and classroom acoustics.
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
Nevada school districts require a Masters'slevel or higher for licensure. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) awards the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A); completion of master's degree or clinical doctorate (Au.D.) in audiology from an accredited university/college and pass the Praxis Series examination in audiology administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) are some of the requirements for the CCC-A.
Nevada Universities/Program of Study
State Licensure www.nvspeechhearing.org/
Nevada Department of Education Licensure (Special Licenses) https://doe.nv.gov
Department of Labor Statistics https://www.bls.gov/ooh
Sources of Additional Information
American Speech-Language & Hearing Association
Nevada Speech Language Hearing Association
Educational Audiology Association
https://www.bls.gov/oohwww.edaud.org
Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) Careers
Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) Career Statistics
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School Counselor
Nature of the work/Job Descriptions
School counselors help all students in the areas of academic achievement; personal/social development and career development, ensuring today’s students become the productive, well-adjusted adults of tomorrow.
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
All states require school counselors to hold a state school counseling certification and to have completed at least some graduate course work. A master’s degree usually is required to be licensed orcertified as a counselor.
Nevada Universities/Program of Study
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Nevada Department of Education Licensure: https://doe.nv.gov
Department of Labor Statistics https://www.bls.gov/ooh
Sources of Additional Information
American School Counselor Association:
Nevada School Counselor Association
Provide valuable assistance addressing student's emotional well-being, become a vital member of a schools education team and help all students.
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Physical Therapist
Nature of the work/Job Descriptions
Physical Therapists provide appropriate services to assist the student's ability to access their physical environment. Areas include positioning, mobility, safe school access, and sensory-motor access.
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
All states require physical therapists to pass a licensure exam before they can practice after graduating from an accredited physical therapist educational program.
A Master's degree (MA/MS) or doctorate is needed to obtain a license. Many states require continuing education as a condition of maintaining licensure.
Nevada Universities/Program of Study
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
State Licensure https://ptboard.nv.gov/
Nevada Department of Education Licensure (Special Licenses) https://doe.nv.gov/
Department of Labor Statistics https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare
Sources of Additional Information
American Physical Therapy Association
School Based Physical Therapy (Special Interest Group)
America Physical Therapy Association Nevada
Help students improve their mobility, collaborate with educators helping students fully participate in their education, and help students increase their independence.
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School Psychologist
Nature of the work/Job Descriptions
School psychologists work to find the best solution for each student and situation and use different strategies to address student needs and improve school and district-wide support systems. School psychologists provide leadership in initiating and facilitating constructive change in accordance with best practices by providing services in the following areas: consultation, prevention, intervention, evaluation, and research/planning/training.
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
Masters degree +/ Ed.S required in NV Schools; Ed.D. Or Ph.D. is preferred. National Association of School Psychologists award the Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) award; completion of 60 graduate semester hours in school psychology; a 1,200-hour internship, 600 hours of which must be completed in a school setting; and a passing score on the National School Psychology Examination.
Nevada Universities/Program of Study
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Majors/Minors for School Psychologist
Psychology; Counseling; Sociology
Nevada Department of Eduction License https://doe.nv.gov
Department of Labor Statistics https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical
Maximize student's education and minimize behavior problems, promote healthy learning environments focusing on student needs, and help students succeed.
Sources of Additional Information
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Occupational Therapist
Nature of the work/Job Descriptions
Occupational Therapists provide appropriate services to assist with the student's ability to access their given educational environment. They evaluate children\'s capabilities, recommend and provide therapy, modify classroom equipment, and help children participate in school activities. Areas include self-help, sensory-motor, fine motor, and pre-vocational.
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
A Master's degree or higher is the minimum educational requirement. To obtain a license, applicants much graduate from an accredited educational program and pass a national certification examination. Those who pass the national exam are awarded the title of "Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR)." Nevada requires a State License as well.
Nevada Universities/Program of Study
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Majors/Minors for Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy; Health Ecology
State Licensure https://www.nvot.org/
Nevada Department of Education Licensure (Special Licenses) https://doe.nv.gov
Department of Labor Statistics https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare
Sources of Additional Information
American Occupational Therapy Association
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School Social Worker
Nature of the work/Job Description
School social workers provide direct and indirect services to students, families, and school personnel to promote and support students’ academic and social successes. School social workers are usually employed by the school district or an agency contracted through the school district to provide services.
Training and Other Qualifications and Advancements
Nevada offers non-clinical social work licensure to bachelor’s in social work graduates. The generalized license for social work is available to bachelor’s and master’s degree holders and does not require prior field experience. Nevada also offers a provisional form of license for working professionals who need extra time to take the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) exam. Licenses for independent and clinical social work practice require several thousand hours of field experience in addition to passage of the relevant ASWB exam. The Nevada Board of Social Work Examiners grants licensure without examination to out-of-state applicants who already hold an equivalent license, after careful review.
Nevada Universities/Program of Study
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Truckee Meadows Community College
Nevada Department of Education Licensure https://doe.nv.gov
State Licensure https://socwork.nv.gov/
Department of Labor Statistics https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community
Sources Of Additional Information
https://www.sswaa.org/school-social-work
https://www.socialworkers.org/Practice/School-Social-Work
View Video on the SSWAA Facebook Page
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School Based Speech-Language Pathologist
Nature of the work/Job Descriptions
School Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) identify, assess, and facilitate the remediation of communication disorders that hinder school success. These include speech, language, cognitive-communication, voice, swallowing, and fluency disorders.
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
Nevada school districts, Masters Level, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) awards the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC); completion of a master’s degree in speech pathology from an accredited university/college and 400 hours of supervised clinical experience, complete a 36-week postgraduate clinical fellowship and pass the Praxis Series examination in speech-language pathology administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS).
Nevada Universities/Program of Study
Nevada Department of Education Licensure https://doe.nv.gov
State Licensure www.nvspeechhearing.org/
Department of Labor Statistics www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare
Sources of Additional Information
American Speech-Language and Hearing Association
Hearing and Speech Careers
UNLIMITED CAREER OPTIONS ... The discipline of communication sciences and disorders (CSD) is about working with people to improve their speech, language, hearing, and balance. The goal of all CSD professionals is ultimately the same – to help people to improve their lives. https://hearingandspeechcareers.org/
Nevada Speech Language Hearing Association
Develop and improve student's ability to communicate, collaborate with other dedicated professionals impacting a student's education, and positively impact a student's life.
RESOURCES
Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) Career Information
Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) Career Statistics
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Special Education Teacher
Nature of the work/Job Descriptions
Special education teachers work with children and youths who have a variety of disabilities. Provide case management of students with Individualized Education Programs (IEP’s) including collaboration and consultation with related service personnel, general educators, administrators, paraprofessionals, and appropriate community agencies, as well as individual education supports in a various educational environment, and other supports as determined by the IEP team.
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
A Bachelor degree is required for license. All states require Special Education Teachers to be licensed; some states offer general special education licenses across a variety of disability categories; others license several different specialties within special education; some special education teachers receive a general education credential to teach K-12; then train in a specialty (e.g. learning disabilities, behavioral disorders).
Nevada Universities/Program of Study
Truckee Meadows Community College
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Nevada Department of Education Licensure https://doe.nv.gov
Department of Labor Statistics https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education
Sources of Additional Information
The Council for Exceptional Children
National Coalition on Personnel Shortages in Special Education and Related Services
Help students progress academically, behaviorally, emotionally, coordinate the efforts of a student's special services, and help students prepare for everyday life.
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School Nurse
Nature of the work/Job Descriptions
Case management and coordination of health services (i.e.Diabetes care) of students with special health care needs; supervision of unlicensed school staff in the delivery of nursing services to students; participation in school assistance teams; and some hands-on procedures for medically fragile students.
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
In all States and the District of Columbia, students must graduate from an approved nursing program and pass a national licensing examination in order to obtain a nursing license.BSN programs, offered by colleges and universities, take about 4 years to complete.School nurse requires Board of Education Certification; or Substitute School Nurse requires an R.N., and BSN
Nevada Universities/Program of Study
Truckee Meadows Community College
Western Nevada Community College
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Nevada Department of Education Licensure https://doe.nv.gov
State Licensure https://nevadanursingboard.org/
Department of Labor Statistics https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm
Sources of Additional Information
National Association of School Nurses
Nevada State Association of School Nurses
Care for students' physical, mental and emotional needs, promote good health, and make a difference in the lives of students.
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Physical Therapist Assistant
Nature of the work/ job description
School Physical Therapy Assistants practice under the direction and supervision of a Physical Therapist; are integral members of the school-based team; help implement selected components of interventions, obtain data related to the interventions provided, and make modifications in selected interventions as directed by the physical therapist; help ensure student safety and comfort; help prepare students for further education and employment.
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
Physical therapist assistants entering the occupation typically need an associate’s degree from an accredited program and a license or certification. Additionally, physical therapy assistants may earn certifications in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), basic life support (BLS), or other first-aid skills.
Licensure or certification is required in each state/jurisdiction in which a PTA works and must be renewed on a regular basis, with a majority of states requiring continuing education as a condition for license renewal.
PTA’s scope of work and supervision requirements are defined by the physical therapy practice act in each state.
You must pass the National Physical Therapy Exam, which is administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. An important requirement for licensure is graduation from an accredited physical therapy educational program.
The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, the U.S. Department of Education-recognized specialized accrediting agency for physical therapy education programs, sets the quality threshold standards that physical therapy education programs must meet to be accredited.
Nevada Universities/Programs of Study
College of Southern Nevada: PTA program
Carrington College: PTA program
Pima Medical Institute- Las Vegas PTA Program:
State Licensure
State of Nevada Physical Therapy Board
Department of Labor Statistics
Sources of Additional Information
American Physical Therapy Association
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) – Nevada
Associations and Organizations https://ptboard.nv.gov/Public/AssociationsHome/
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Occupational Therapist Assistant
Nature of the work/ job description
School Occupational Therapy Assistants practice under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist to help students develop sensory motor, fine motor, and prevocational skills; coordinate with the Occupational Therapist on carrying out treatment plans; collaborate within the education team to support student success.
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
At a minimum, successful completion of an associate’s degree from an accredited occupational therapy assistant program. Nevada licensure requires program of study accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational
Therapy Education of the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc., Occupational therapy assistants must pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam to use the title “Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant” (COTA). Occupational therapy assistants must also take continuing education classes to maintain their certification.
Some occupational therapy assistants advance by gaining additional education and becoming occupational therapists. A small number of occupational therapist “bridge” education programs are designed to qualify occupational therapy assistants to advance and become therapists.
Nevada Universities/Programs of Study
Pima Medical Institute is the only Occupational Therapy Assistant program found in Nevada.
State Licensure
State of Nevada Board of Occupational Therapy:
Department of Labor Statistics
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-therapy-assistants-and-aides.htm
Sources of Additional Information