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A career in speech-language pathology has an 85 percent job satisfaction rate, a retention rate of 11-35 years, and a higher-than-average job growth rate. But is this career path right for you?
What is the Role of Speech-Language Pathologists?
A speech-language pathologist (SLP) assesses, diagnoses, and treats speech-language disorders.
What Are Speech-Language Disorders?
A person with a speech disorder can experience the following:
problems with voice or resonance;
difficulty pronouncing words or speaking fluently; or,
difficulty producing sounds correctly.
A person with a language disorder has difficulty:
· understanding others as they speak;
· sharing their own thoughts, ideas, and feelings; or,
· properly using language—cognitively, functionally, or socially.
Speech-language disorders can be a result of:
genetics;
illness or medical condition; or,
injury.
Methods of Helping Patients and Their Families
There are many ways a speech-language pathologist helps patients and their families, including:
Providing training and rehabilitation for the deaf or hard of hearing
Providing augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) for patients with severe difficulty expressing or comprehending language, including patients with neurological or autism-spectrum disorders
Educating family members on the patient’s condition and on improving communication with the patient
Collaborate with patients’ caregivers, medical providers, teachers or employers
Where Do Speech Pathologists Work?
Due to the demand for SLPs, you can find full-time, part-time, PRN, and virtual opportunities. There are opportunities in a variety of settings, including:
Clinics or private practices
Colleges and universities - teaching, research, and clinical supervision
Education - early intervention, preschool, K–12
Federal, state, or local government agencies
Hospitals - acute care, rehabilitation, and psychiatric hospitals (inpatient and outpatient)
Counseling or consultative services
Residential healthcare facilities
Non-residential healthcare facilities
Corporations
Uniformed services for active military personnel and veterans
What’s Needed to Be Successful?
Helping patients with speech-language disorders can be very rewarding. But it’s also a big responsibility. Although a master’s degree and a state license are required, more is needed to be successful.
Success is measured by your effectiveness in helping improve the quality of life for your patients. Love for patient care and a desire to apply what you’ve learned, to learn from experienced SLPs, and to acquire new skills and techniques are crucial to success. You also need to have and maintain the following qualities:
Willingness to work with and respect diverse clients, patients, family members, and professionals
Ability to communicate accurately, clearly, and simply
Accept constructive criticism, suggestions, and advice
Accuracy and timeliness
Active listening
Critical thinking
Excellent vision and hearing to evaluate, identify, discriminate and understand speech and language issues, and to recommend treatment
Exemplary reading, speaking, and writing skills
Good mental health and stress management
Good physical health and stamina
Good problem-solving skills
Honesty, integrity, and confidentiality
Professional, ethical conduct
Willingness to learn
Are You Interested in Opportunities?
At WSi, we can help you find rewarding opportunities as a speech-language pathologist at facilities that match your interests and career goals. Join our network.