Job Description: Speech Therapist

Speech Therapist Job Duties | Speech Therapist Schools | Speech Therapist Salary | Speech Therapist Pros and Cons

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES OF A SPEECH THERAPIST

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The primary role of a speech therapist is to treat patients with speech, language, fluency and voice disorders. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics site lists speech therapists as speech-language pathologists who perform duties related to assessing, diagnosing and treating disorders of cognitive-communication, voice, speech, language, fluency and swallowing.

People who experience difficulties in various speech related areas such as producing speech sounds, enunciating words clearly, speaking with normal rhythm and fluency, stuttering, voice disorders such as inappropriate voice pitch, harsh tones, understanding and producing language, inappropriate accents, cognitive communication impairments; and persons looking to improve communication skills, memory, attention, problem solving disorders and swallowing difficulties can all benefit from the assistance and expertise of speech therapists.

What Are The Job Duties Of A Speech Therapist

· Administer speech, language and hearing evaluations to patients; conduct tests and examinations of patients to gather information and ascertain levels of impairment
· Use written and oral test methods and special instruments to evaluate patients
· Make evaluations for patients with speech or hearing impairments of test results, medical history and barium swallow results to diagnose and prepare treatment plans for various speech related disorders
· Prepare written patient evaluation and test results reports; maintain accurate documentation of information collected
· Collate patient data relating to Medicaid, Medicare, caseload activities, billing records, initial evaluations, treatment plans, progress evaluations and discharge information
· Develop and implement various treatment plans based on own assessments and recommendations by physicians, psychologists and social workers, for patients with stuttering, swallowing, inappropriate pitch, delayed language and harsh voice problems
· Monitor patient’s progress and make treatment adjustments as required
· Instruct patients in alternative techniques for enhanced communication including sign language, voice improvement and lip reading
· Provide patients, caregivers or family members with education on communication techniques and strategies to cope with personal misunderstandings
· Consult with and refer patients for additional educational or medical services
· Consult with medical staff and educators on patient speech and hearing problems
· Participate in conferences, continuing education programs and training programs to share knowledge and increase knowledge base on methodologies and technologies of speech and hearing disorders
· Participate in various meetings such as in-service meetings, patients’ progress meetings and intervention assistance team meetings; prepare written reports on the discussions and outcomes from the meetings
· Handle administrative responsibilities such as paperwork, scheduling of case management activities, preparation of lesson plans, preparation of materials, record keeping, supplies maintenance
· Prepare and conduct training sessions and family education programs
· Train patients in techniques related to strengthening of the tongue, face muscles and jaw or breathing mechanisms

Speech therapists need to be detail oriented, skilled in the use of equipments and the administration of treatment plans. Effective communication skills, written skills, diagnostic skills, objective problem solving skills, patient handling and care skills are all essential to the role. A speech therapist needs to be patient, compassionate, a good listener and understanding of patient problems and needs.

What Type of Degree is Needed To Be A Speech Therapist

According to the U.S. bureau of Labor Statistics, the entry level requirement for a speech therapist is a master’s degree. Licensure or certification requirements for speech therapists are governed by state laws.

The Council on Academic Accreditation, an entity of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, accredits postsecondary academic programs in speech language pathology. Graduation from an accredited program is not mandatory in many states; however, it is a requirement in some states for obtaining licensure. Graduation from an accredited program is mandatory for professional credentialing from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Speech language pathology courses cover various subjects including anatomy, physiology and development of those areas of the body involved in speech, hearing, language and swallowing. Other aspects of the course include principles of acoustics, nature of disorders, psychological aspects of communication. A speech therapist student will learn to evaluate and treat a range of speech, language and swallowing disorders.

Speech Therapy Undergraduate Preparation

Undergraduates planning on a career as a speech therapist need to complete a pre-professional program that will provide exposure to the field of speech language pathology and prepare students for an academic graduate degree program. Pre-professional program courses combine academic class work on anatomy and physiology; introduction to the development of speech structures, psychological complexities of human communication and speech associated disorders.

Pre-requisite courses covering phonetics, normal and abnormal languages, communication science, clinical assessment, speech and hearing science, childhood language disorders, audiology and phonology and neurogenic disorders, are needed prior to acceptance to speech language graduate programs.

Speech Therapy Master’s Degree Programs

Master of Arts and Master of Science programs in speech pathology are available for students planning a career as speech therapists. Course work for the program includes: voice articulation, phonology, fluency, swallowing, neurological substrates and literacy. Students enrolled in a master’s program are trained in the evaluation and diagnosis of speech and language disorders.

An important part of the curriculum is supervised clinical practicum whereby students engage in hands-on diagnosis and treatment of patients from diverse linguistic background and socio-economic strata in local communities.

Specialization options for a speech therapist include early intervention, school-aged children and neurogenic disorders. Continuing education to develop expertise in specific areas related to the field may be carried out, for example with certain populations like adolescents or pre-schoolers or specific speech disorders like learning disabilities. An example of an advanced academic goal is continuing education to a Ph.D in Consortium Sciences and Disorders.

Experienced speech therapists can advance their career by becoming supervisors or mentors of other therapists or moving up the career ladder to high level administrative positions.

Speech Therapy Licensure

In 47 states in America, speech language pathologists or speech therapists are regulated. Licensing requirements are a master’s degree from an accredited college or university; obtaining a minimum passing score on the national exam on speech language pathology conducted by the Praxis Series of the Educational Testing Service; 9 months postgraduate professional clinical experience; 300 to 375 hours of supervised clinical experience.

Several states have continuing education requirements that need to be fulfilled for licensure renewal. To qualify for reimbursement, practitioner speech therapists need to be licensed.

What Is The Salary Of A Speech Therapist

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports in its Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition that employment prospects for speech therapists is expected to increase considerably. The growth projected in this field of occupation is 19 percent for the period 2008 to 2018. The projection is that of higher than average growth in this occupation as compared to several other occupations.

Speech Therapist Wages

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2010-11 reports that the median annual wage for speech therapists was $62,930; the middle 50 percent earnings range between $50,330 and $79,620. The highest 10 percent earnings were above $99,220 and the lowest 10 percent was below $41,240.

Employment of speech therapists by largest numbers, by industry include: nursing care facilities, home health care services, general medical and surgical hospitals, offices of other healthcare practitioners and elementary and secondary schools. These industries have the highest concentration of physical therapy assistants.

Speech therapists may seek employment in medical facilities where they work in collaboration with physicians, therapists, psychologists and social workers; in schools where they work with special educators, teachers and other school personnel; universities where they conduct research on communication and related areas.

Estimates for employment figures for speech therapists from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show that 119,300 people were employed in this role in 2008. This figure is expected to increase by approximately 19 percent to reach 141,400 by the year 2018, spurred by various factors that will increase demand for the profession.

National annualized data shows: annual pay scales range between $34,975 and $69,097 for a speech therapist. The bonus for a speech therapist ranges between $0.86 and $2,973 approximately. Total pay packages for speech therapists may range from $35,803 to $90,586.

Median annual wages paid by the largest employers of speech therapists by industry: nursing care facilities - $79,120; home health care services - $77,030; general medical and surgical hospitals - $68,430; offices of other healthcare practitioners - $67,910; elementary schools and secondary schools - $58,140.

(Figures are approximate and have been rounded off to the nearest full number)

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Being A Speech Therapist

In every job there are advantages and disadvantages; the same holds good for speech therapists. The advantages include:

· The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected a fast growth rate of 19 percent between the years 2008 and 2018 for speech therapists.
· Technological advancements in the medical field have led to saving lives of trauma victims and premature babies, leading to possible increase in the demand for the services of speech therapists.
· The healthcare industry is one of the fastest growing industries and the constant demand for speech therapists is continually pushing the employment rate up.
· Bilingual speech therapists are in great demand especially people trained in English and Spanish language skills
· There is wide scope for employment in nursing care, private hospitals, public hospitals, home healthcare, practitioners’ offices and elementary and secondary schools.
· Pay scales are more than decent and enable speech therapists to enjoy a high quality of life.
· Speech therapy profession affords a second career option for people who need to earn additional wages.

The downside to becoming a speech therapist may be attributed to the following negative aspects in the job:

· The role of a speech therapist is a stressful and physically demanding one.
· Becoming a speech therapist requires complete commitment to a long learning curve that culminates in a master’s degree and licensure.
· Licensure is a must in all but two states in America; this involves additional learning and training.
· Continuing education credits are mandatory in most states for speech therapists to maintain licensure. People who work full time in a demanding occupation find it hard to make time to continue their education.
· The role demands vast amounts of patience and compassion because patient progress is typically very slow and halting.