THE WORLD IS CHANGING RAPIDLY, SO ARE HEALTH CARE CAREERS

Home About Us Our Sponsors Careers Education Employers Labor Market Info Important Links Downloads Contact Us		Speech Language Pathologist  (Rehabilitation Professions) DID YOU KNOW?   (click for more) DID YOU KNOW?   (click to hide) Speech Language Pathologist - Did-You-Know: 1. Communication Disorders students, both Speech-language Pathologists (SLP) and Audiologists (AUD), are creating PowerPoint presentations to aid in presentation of papers. 2. Communication Disorders students, both SLP and AUD, are creating their own therapy materials using the software package Boardmaker [a software program that uses picture communication symbols (i.e. clip art), which are used in creating printed communication boards, device overlays, worksheets, and schedules]. 3. Communication Disorders students, both SLP and AUD, are researching communication disorders, their etiologies, and “evidence-based practice” using the Internet. How is technology impacting any of the following areas in the Speech Language Pathology field? 1. Education: Students use of PowerPoint to present papers has a way of focusing the student on the task at hand. 2. Research: Research on the Internet reduces the time spent looking for documentation and support of research. The volume of research that is available electronically makes this a desirable and viable way to do literature reviews 3. Direct Patient Care: The amount and availability of computer-based therapy tools is increasing, and has a positive impact on patient progress in therapy. The ability of students to create their own materials using Boardmaker and like products dramatically increase the resources available to them. 4. Administrative issues: Gradebooks kept in Excel enable the instructor to streamline grade-keeping and reduce the calculation errors in complex weighted grading schemes. DESCRIPTION OF WORK: Speech-language pathologists assess, diagnose, treat, and help to prevent speech, language, cognitive, communication, voice, swallowing, fluency, and other related disorders (Audiologist are discussed elsewhere in this publication). Speech-language pathologists work with people who cannot make speech sounds, or cannot make them clearly; those with speech rhythm and fluency problems, such as stuttering; people with voice quality problems, such as inappropriate pitch or harsh voice; those with problems understanding and producing language; those who wish to improve their communication skills by modifying an accent; and those with cognitive communication impairments, such as attention, memory, and problem solving disorders. They also work with people who have oral motor problems causing eating and swallowing difficulties. Mean annual salary for this position is $55,300. WHERE EMPLOYED: About one-half of jobs for speech-language pathologists and audiologists were in preschools, elementary and secondary schools, or colleges and universities. Others were in offices of speech-language pathologists and audiologists, hospitals, offices of physicians, speech, language, and hearing centers, home health agencies, or other facilities. A few are self-employed in private practice. They contract to provide services in schools, physician offices, hospitals, or nursing care facilities, or work as consultants to industry. PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS: Speech-language pathologists usually work at a desk or table in clean, comfortable surroundings. The job is not physically demanding but does require attention to detail and intense concentration. The emotional needs of clients and their families may be demanding. Most full-time speech-language pathologists work about 40 hours per week, though some work part time. Those who work on a contract basis may spend a substantial amount of time traveling between facilities. Speech language pathologists should be able to effectively relay diagnostic test results, diagnoses and treatment in a manner easily understood by patients and families. They must approach problems objectively and be supportive. Because a patient`s progress may be slow, patience, compassion and good listening skills are necessary. ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Of the states that regulate licensing (47 for speech-language pathologists), all require a master`s degree or equivalent. Other requirements are 300 to 375 hours of supervised clinical experience, a passing score on a national examination, and 9 months of postgraduate professional clinical experience. Forty-one states have continuing education requirements for licensure renewal. Medicaid, Medicare, and private health insurers generally require a practitioner to be licensed to qualify for reimbursement. EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS: About 239 colleges and universities offer accredited graduate programs in speech language pathology in the United States. Courses cover anatomy and physiology, and the development of the areas of the body involved in speech, language, and swallowing; the nature of disorders; acoustics;and psychological aspects of communication. Educational program types for this career. EMPLOYERS: Potential employers for this career. LAST UPDATED: 9/9/2007 - Update Current status - Active
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