Travel Speech Language Pathologist Jobs

According to the Journal of the American Academy of Special Education Professionals, there’s a shortage of speech language pathologists, especially in schools, due to the aging population, growing rate of autism which often presents speech disorders, and limited openings in graduate programs.

Most speech language pathologists work in health care or educational settings with a majority working at schools. They also work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers and long-term residential health care facilities. Some may work in a private practice or work in the government sector.

Speech Language Pathologists at a glance

Scope of practice:

• Evaluate, diagnose, and treat speech, language, cognitive communication, social (pragmatic) communication, literacy, and swallowing disorders in children and adults

• Help aphasia patients find ways to communicate

• Evaluate swallowing ability and prescribe appropriate diets

• Train and education family members, caregivers, and other professionals

• Collaborate with other care team members

• Develop new treatment methods by conducting research

Many SLPs also work in residential and nonresidential health care settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers, physicians’ offices, and long-term residential health care facilities. Because speech and language issues often present alongside other medical disorders, SLPs can expect to work in collaboration with many different care providers.

Common roles and responsibilities of a speech language pathologist include:

• Creating and implementing individualized treatment plans that address specific communication needs

• Training, educating, and collaborating with family members, caregivers, and other care team members

• Helping patients with expressive and language comprehension disorders like autism improve their verbal and nonverbal communication skills

• Providing training to patients with fluency disorders, such as stuttering, to make speech clearer and more comfortable

• Working with patients with dysphagia or swallowing disorders, to develop and strengthen muscles used to swallow

• Helping patients with aphasia and other cognitive disorders to augment communication and improve memory, attention, and problem solving

• Providing aural rehabilitation to hard of hearing or deaf patients

• Helping patients improve their literacy skills, including reading, writing, and spelling

• Engaging in research and supervising rehabilitation programs in clinical, school, and developmental settings.

• Active listening

• Creativity to provide innovative exercises to meet individual needs

• Enthusiasm to motivate patients during challenging treatments and recoveries

• Genuine compassion and empathy

• Maturity and professionalism in all situations

• Patience and persistence to effectively treat, rehabilitate and improve each patient’s quality of life

SLPs must also have a high degree of critical thinking, organizational, and time management skills. To effectively serve all patients, they must be adaptable, proactive, and willing to consult and collaborate with family members, caregivers, teachers, and other health care professionals. SLPs should also continually seek new learning opportunities to keep their knowledge and skills current.