Hospital Speech and Language Pathologist Job Description |
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Job Duties
Speech-language pathologists diagnose and treat a variety of speech related disorders, including those related to language, speech, voice, swallowing, cognitive communication, and fluency. Speech-language pathologists assist sufferers of these disorders and work to build an individualized treatment plan for each patient. These medical workers keep detailed patient records, including the initial evaluation, progress made, and time of discharge. Speech-language pathologists also work with patient families to help recognize and eliminate behavior patterns acting as progress impediments. Speech-language pathologists may work in private offices, hospitals, or even schools and assist a wide variety of clients.
Job Qualifications and Compensation
Typically, speech-language pathologists must earn a master’s degree accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation division of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Many college universities provide such programs. Some states require this accredited degree in order for Speech-Language Pathologists to receive state licensure, though not all states require accreditation. Many graduate programs include supervised clinical work to teach the diagnosis of speech-language disorders. State licensure requirements for speech-language pathologists typically regulate the type of degree earned, the number of clinical hours to be performed, appropriate certification test scores, and a set time of postgraduate professional clinical experience.
Speech-language pathologists generally receive a quality salary and comprehensive job benefits to offset the cost of schooling and licensing. The average speech-language pathologist earns a yearly salary near $63,000; however, starting pay may rest between $35,000 and $50,000 per year, depending on position, experience, and job location. Employment perks will vary widely for speech-language pathologists, but most positions earn benefits packages, including quality healthcare options, 401(k) retirement funds, and paid time off.
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