Speech-Language Pathologists

speech social interests patient pathologist language treatment information client progress

Bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist (Bilingual SLP), Speech and Language Specialist, Speech Pathologist, Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP)

What they do:
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.
On the job, you would:
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Monitor patients' progress and adjust treatments accordingly.

Knowledge

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Education and Training

  • teaching and course design

Business

  • customer service
  • administrative services

Math and Science

  • psychology

Skills

Basic Skills

  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • reading work related information

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Social

  • understanding people's reactions
  • teaching people how to do something

Abilities

Verbal

  • listen and understand what people say
  • communicate by speaking

Ideas and Logic

  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
  • notice when problems happen

Hearing and Speech

  • recognize spoken words
  • speak clearly

Visual Understanding

  • see hidden patterns

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include helping people, teaching, and talking.

They do well at jobs that need:

  • Dependability
  • Integrity
  • Concern for Others
  • Self Control
  • Cooperation
  • Adaptability/Flexibility

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Medical software

  • Biofeedback software
  • eClinicalWorks EHR software Hot Technology

Desktop communications software

  • Tadpoles

Analytical or scientific software

  • Avaaz Innovations Computerized Speech Research Environment CSRE
  • Language analysis software

Education

Education: (rated 5 of 5)
master's degree or
certificate after master's
usually needed

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Job Outlook

Bright
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
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