Speech-Language Pathologists
Health Science > Therapeutic ServicesProjected Growth: Much faster than average
Projected Job Openings
Extensive Preparation Needed
Job Description
Your job is to Assess and treat persons with speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. May select alternative communication systems and teach their use. May perform research related to speech and language problems.
Common job titles of Speech-Language Pathologists include:
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Experience and Education
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
80.9% said they needed a Master's Degree.
19.1% said they needed a Post-Master's Certificate.
Tasks
Write reports and maintain proper documentation of information, such as client Medicaid or billing records or caseload activities, including the initial evaluation, treatment, progress, and discharge of clients.
Develop or implement treatment plans for problems such as stuttering, delayed language, swallowing disorders, or inappropriate pitch or harsh voice problems, based on own assessments and recommendations of physicians, psychologists, or social workers.
Instruct clients in techniques for more effective communication, such as sign language, lip reading, or voice improvement.
Use computer applications to identify or assist with communication disabilities.
Participate in and write reports for meetings regarding patients' progress, such as individualized educational planning (IEP) meetings, in-service meetings, or intervention assistance team meetings.
Supervise or collaborate with therapy team.
Monitor patients' progress and adjust treatments accordingly.
Complete administrative responsibilities, such as coordinating paperwork, scheduling case management activities, or writing lesson plans.
Develop speech exercise programs to reduce disabilities.
Develop individual or group activities or programs in schools to deal with behavior, speech, language, or swallowing problems.
Educate patients and family members about various topics, such as communication techniques or strategies to cope with or to avoid personal misunderstandings.
Evaluate hearing or speech and language test results, barium swallow results, or medical or background information to diagnose and plan treatment for speech, language, fluency, voice, or swallowing disorders.
Communicate with non-speaking students, using sign language or computer technology.
Design, develop, or employ alternative diagnostic or communication devices or strategies.
Consult with and advise educators or medical staff on speech or hearing topics, such as communication strategies or speech and language stimulation.
Teach clients to control or strengthen tongue, jaw, face muscles, or breathing mechanisms.
Conduct lessons or direct educational or therapeutic games to assist teachers dealing with speech problems.
Administer hearing or speech and language evaluations, tests, or examinations to patients to collect information on type and degree of impairments, using written or oral tests or special instruments.
Consult with and refer clients to additional medical or educational services.
Participate in conferences, training, continuing education courses, or publish research results to share knowledge of new hearing or speech disorder treatment methods or technologies.
Provide communication instruction to dialect speakers or students with limited English proficiency.
Conduct or direct research on speech or hearing topics and report findings for use in developing procedures, technologies, or treatments.
Tools
Video stroboscopes
Video cassette recorders VCR
Touch switches
Therapeutic voice synthesizers
Tape recorders
Tablet computers
Subglottal air pressure measurement devices
All ToolsSpeech therapy mirrors
Sound switches
Sound booths
Recording microphones
Reading pens
Personal computers
Laryngographs
Laptop computers
Jellybean switches
Infrared switches
Headphones
Handheld camcorders
Electromyographs EMG
Electroglottographs EGG
Dynamic display devices
Digital video stroboscopy systems
Digital cameras
Digital audio recorders
Diagnostic stroboscopes
Desktop computers
Compact stereo systems
Compact disk CD players
Closed circuit television systems
Augmentative communication devices
Audiometers
Alternative computer keyboards
Airflow measurement devices
Technologies
Adobe Systems Adobe Audition
Apple Logic Pro
Avaaz Innovations AphasiaMate
Avaaz Innovations Computerized Speech Research Environment CSRE
Avaaz Innovations Interactive Voice Analysis System IVANS
Biofeedback software
Bungalow Software Aphasia Tutor
All TechnologiesELR Software eLr Extra Language Resources
Email software
KayPENTAX Multi-Speech
KayPENTAX Nasometer
Language analysis software
Learning Fundamentals Speech Visualization
Micro Video Voice Speech Training System
Propeller Multimedia React2
Signal analysis software
Speech analysis software
Web browser software
Words+ E Z Keys for Windows
Skills
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Learning Strategies
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Instructing
Teaching others how to do something.
Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people.
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Time Management
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Persuasion
Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Negotiation
Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
Operations Analysis
Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
Systems Analysis
Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Abilities
Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Cognitive Abilities › Verbal Abilities › Oral Comprehension
Identify and understand the speech of another person.
Auditory and Speech Abilities › Sensory Abilities › Speech Recognition
Communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Cognitive Abilities › Verbal Abilities › Written Expression
Apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Cognitive Abilities › Idea Generation and Reasoning Abilities › Deductive Reasoning
Combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Cognitive Abilities › Idea Generation and Reasoning Abilities › Inductive Reasoning
Speak clearly so others can understand you.
Auditory and Speech Abilities › Sensory Abilities › Speech Clarity
Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Cognitive Abilities › Verbal Abilities › Written Comprehension
Communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Cognitive Abilities › Verbal Abilities › Oral Expression
Tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Cognitive Abilities › Idea Generation and Reasoning Abilities › Problem Sensitivity
Come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
Cognitive Abilities › Idea Generation and Reasoning Abilities › Originality