National
| Median wages (2008) |
$30.25 hourly, $62,930 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
110,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Average (7% to 13%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
33,000 additional employees |
29-1127.00 - Speech-Language Pathologists
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.
Sample of reported job titles:
Speech Language Pathologist (SLP), Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), Speech Pathologist, Speech and Language Specialist, Speech-Language Therapist, Teacher of the Speech and Hearing Handicapped, Bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist, Speech and Language Clinician, Speech Therapist, Communication Specialist
Tasks
- Monitor patients' progress and adjust treatments accordingly.
- Evaluate hearing or speech and language test results, barium swallow results, and medical or background information to diagnose and plan treatment for speech, language, fluency, voice, and swallowing disorders.
- Administer hearing or speech and language evaluations, tests, or examinations to patients to collect information on type and degree of impairments, using written and oral tests and special instruments.
- Write reports and maintain proper documentation of information, such as client Medicaid and billing records and caseload activities, including the initial evaluation, treatment, progress, and discharge of clients.
- Develop and implement treatment plans for problems such as stuttering, delayed language, swallowing disorders, and inappropriate pitch or harsh voice problems, based on own assessments and recommendations of physicians, psychologists, or social workers.
- Develop individual or group activities and programs in schools to deal with behavior, speech, language, or swallowing problems.
- 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.
- Complete administrative responsibilities, such as coordinating paperwork, scheduling case management activities, or writing lesson plans.
- Instruct clients in techniques for more effective communication, including sign language, lip reading, and voice improvement.
- Educate patients and family members about various topics, such as communication techniques and strategies to cope with or to avoid personal misunderstandings.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Adaptive communication switches for the physically challenged — Infrared switches; Jellybean switches; Sound switches; Touch switches |
| Sound measuring apparatus or decibel meter — Electroglottographs EGG; Laryngographs |
| Stroboscopes — Diagnostic stroboscopes; Digital video stroboscopy systems; Video stroboscopes |
| Tablet computers — Dynamic display devices |
| Voice synthesizers for the physically challenged — Augmentative communication devices; Therapeutic voice synthesizers |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Analytical or scientific software — Avaaz Innovations Computerized Speech Research Environment CSRE; Language analysis software; Signal analysis software; Speech analysis software |
| Medical software — Avaaz Innovations Interactive Voice Analysis System IVANS; Bungalow Software Aphasia Tutor software; Micro Video Video Voice Speech Training System; Propeller Multimedia React2 |
| Music or sound editing software — Adobe Systems Adobe Audition |
| Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel |
| Word processing software — Microsoft Word |
