How to Be Speech-Language Pathologist - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Nov 10, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) play a critical role in helping people with communication issues. In essence, their role is to assess, diagnose, and treat communication and swallowing disorders. With the help of an SLP, individuals with speech, language, cognitive-communication, voice, and fluency disorders can improve their ability to communicate and swallow.

Further, SLPs are key in helping people with autism, dementia, and traumatic brain injury to heal and cope. The cause and effect of SLPs is clear. Through the use of speech therapy and other techniques, their patients can improve their communication skills, enhance their quality of life, and increase their self-confidence.

This in turn leads to an increased ability to interact with others, increased employment opportunities, and improved academic performance. the positive effects of speech therapy can also help reduce social isolation, loneliness, and depression.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Bachelor's Degree. Prospective speech-language pathologists must first complete a bachelor's degree program in speech-language pathology, communication sciences and disorders, linguistics, psychology, or a related field. Coursework in the major may include anatomy and physiology, audiology, language development, research methods, and language disorders.
Complete a Master's Degree. A master's degree in speech-language pathology is the minimum requirement for most states to become a speech-language pathologist. Programs typically include coursework in neuroscience, language development, language disorders, and clinical practicum in various settings.
Obtain Licensure. Licensure is required in all states in order to practice as a speech-language pathologist. Each state has slightly different licensure requirements, but all require the completion of a master's degree in speech-language pathology and passing scores on the Praxis Exam.
Pursue Certification. Although certification is not required to practice as a speech-language pathologist, professional organizations like the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) offer credentials for professionals who want to demonstrate their commitment to the profession. Credentials are available for both clinician and academic specializations.
Maintain Professional Development. Most states require speech-language pathologists to participate in continuing education activities in order to maintain their licensure. Speech-language pathologists must also stay up-to-date on the latest research and technologies in order to provide the best care possible for their patients.

The Speech-Language Pathologist must keep updated and efficient in order to provide the best services to their patients. To do this, it is important to stay up-to-date on the latest research and developments in the field, attend continuing education seminars, and use the most current technology and tools. Additionally, staying organized with patient records and scheduling can help streamline the process and ensure that the patient receives the most effective care. Finally, fostering a positive working relationship with other professionals in the field such as audiologists, doctors, and nurses can help build a successful practice and provide the patient with a higher quality of care.

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Job Description

Assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders in patients.
Develop and implement individualized treatment plans for patients based on their specific needs.
Evaluate patient progress and adjust treatment plans as needed.
Collaborate with other medical professionals to develop comprehensive treatment plans
Educate patients, family members, and other caregivers about speech, language, and swallowing disorders.
Provide counseling and support to patients, family members, and other caregivers.
Document patient progress, treatments, and plans of care in patient records.
Develop activities and materials to enhance treatment programs.
Monitor patient outcomes and suggest modifications to treatment plans when necessary.
Attend conferences, workshops, and seminars to stay current with the latest developments in the field.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of the principles, methods and techniques of speech-language pathology
Knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the speech and language systems
Knowledge of the assessment and evaluation methods used in speech-language pathology
Ability to diagnose and treat communication disorders
Ability to develop treatment plans for individuals with communication disorders
Ability to design and implement individualized treatment plans
Ability to use a variety of assessment instruments
Ability to counsel families and patients
Ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, and other professionals
Ability to collaborate with other professionals in a multi-disciplinary team
Knowledge of current research in speech-language pathology
Knowledge of ethical and professional standards for speech-language pathologists
Ability to keep records and document treatment
Knowledge of pertinent laws, regulations, and policies related to speech-language pathology

Having strong communication skills is essential for a Speech-Language Pathologist. Being able to effectively listen to and understand a patient's needs and concerns is important in order to properly assess their individual situation and provide them with the best possible treatment. Furthermore, it is critical to be able to effectively communicate with other health care providers and to effectively collaborate with them to ensure the best possible outcome for the patient.

Good communication skills also allow the Speech-Language Pathologist to be able to effectively educate the patient and their family about the speech disorder, its consequences, and the different treatment options available. Poor communication skills can lead to misdiagnosis, lack of proper treatment, and ultimately a negative outcome for the patient. The ability to remain patient and compassionate is also an important quality for a Speech-Language Pathologist, as it allows them to connect better with their patients and build trust.

In sum, strong communication skills, collaboration, patience, and compassion are all essential qualities for a successful Speech-Language Pathologist.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What motivated you to pursue a career in speech-language pathology?
What experience do you have working with children or adults with communication disorders?
How would you assess a patients communication disorder?
Describe a successful treatment strategy you have used.
What techniques do you use to motivate your patients?
How do you ensure that your patients are making progress?
Describe a time when you had to manage a challenging situation with a patient.
What strategies do you use to collaborate with other professionals (e. g. , occupational therapists, teachers, etc. )?
How do you handle challenging conversations with parents or caretakers?
What strategies do you use to stay up to date on the latest trends in the field?

Common Tools in Industry

Speech Generating Devices. Devices that allow individuals who are unable to speak to express themselves through synthesized speech. (e. g. Dynavox Maestro)
Assistive Listening Devices. Devices that allow people with hearing impairments to better hear sounds in noisy environments. (e. g. Roger Pen)
Articulation Therapy Tools. Tools used to assist with the production of speech sounds. (e. g. ChatterVox)
Language Therapy Tools. Tools used to improve language comprehension and expression. (e. g. Language Builder Picture Cards)
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Systems. Systems used to supplement or replace speech. (e. g. Proloquo2Go)
Speech Recognition Software. Software that uses voice recognition technology to convert speech into text. (e. g. Dragon Naturally Speaking)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
American Academy of Audiology (AAA)
National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing (NBASLH)
International Association of Logopedics and Phoniatrics (IALP)
Autism Speaks
Special Interest Group 14 (SIG 14): Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Association of Medical Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (AMSPA)
Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CAPCSD)
American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (ABSSD)
International Society of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC)

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Common Important Terms

Audiology. The study of the hearing processes and related disorders.
Aphasia. A language disorder caused by damage to the brain, which affects a persons ability to speak and understand language.
Dysphagia. A swallowing disorder that can cause difficulty in swallowing food or liquids.
Fluency Disorders. A type of speech disorder that affects the rhythm and flow of speech.
Apraxia. A neurological disorder that affects a persons ability to make voluntary movements, such as speaking.
Articulation Disorders. A type of speech disorder that affects the production of certain speech sounds.
Receptive Language Disorders. A type of language disorder that affects a persons ability to comprehend spoken language.
Pragmatic Language Disorders. A type of language disorder that affects a persons ability to use language in social situations.
Voice Disorders. A type of speech disorder that affects a persons vocal quality and ability to produce sound.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many years of education is required to become a Speech-Language Pathologist?

Most Speech-Language Pathologists hold a master's degree, which typically requires two years of graduate study after a four-year bachelor's degree.

What type of tasks do Speech-Language Pathologists perform?

Speech-Language Pathologists diagnose and treat communication and swallowing disorders in individuals of all ages. This includes developing therapy plans, providing counseling, and educating families and caregivers on how to support the individual.

What qualifications are necessary to become a Speech-Language Pathologist?

Speech-Language Pathologists must be licensed in most states and must hold a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. They must also have a master's degree in the field, as well as supervised clinical experience.

What is the job outlook for Speech-Language Pathologists?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that employment of Speech-Language Pathologists will grow 19% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.