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

Dec 19, 2021 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

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Speech-language pathologists assess, diagnose, and manage communication and swallowing disorders in individuals of all ages. These professionals specialize in evaluating speech, language, cognitive-communication, voice, and swallowing disorders. By conducting evaluations, they are able to accurately diagnose and develop treatment plans for those individuals who may be struggling with communication and swallowing problems.

As a result of their efforts, those with communication and swallowing disorders are able to improve their quality of life by gaining the ability to communicate more effectively and safely consume food and liquids. Furthermore, speech-language pathologists may also provide resources to families and caregivers to help them understand how to best support those who are struggling with communication and swallowing disorders.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelors Degree. To become a Speech-Language Pathology Evaluator, you must first earn a Bachelors degree. A Bachelors degree in Speech-Language Pathology or a related field is required to enter a masters program.
Obtain a Masters Degree. After earning a Bachelors degree, you must obtain a masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology in order to become a Speech-Language Pathology Evaluator. While in the masters program, you will gain specialized knowledge and skills related to evaluating speech and language disorders.
Obtain Certification. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) offers the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). This certification is required for licensure in most states and proves that you have the necessary qualifications to practice as a speech-language pathologist.
Complete Clinical Fellowship. After earning your masters degree and obtaining certification, you must complete a yearlong clinical fellowship. During this period, you will gain hands-on experience in assessing and managing communication disorders.
Obtain State Licensure. Most states require speech-language pathologists to be licensed before they can practice independently. To obtain licensure, you must pass the Praxis II exam and meet other state requirements.
Pursue Professional Development Opportunities. Once you are licensed, you can pursue professional development opportunities such as continuing education courses, workshops, and seminars to enhance your knowledge and skills as a speech-language pathologist.
Become an Evaluator. After gaining experience, you can specialize in speech-language pathology evaluation. You should continue to hone your skills and gain expertise in this field by staying current with best practices and attending professional development opportunities.

In order to remain qualified and up-to-date as a Speech-Language Pathology Evaluator, it is essential to stay informed of the latest research and advances in the field. This will ensure that the evaluations are accurate and reliable. One of the best ways to stay informed is to regularly attend continuing education programs or seminars in order to stay aware of any new developments or techniques.

it is important to keep up with relevant publications and journals to stay apprised of new research and best practices. Finally, networking with other speech-language pathologists can provide valuable insight and help to keep abreast of current trends in the field. By taking these steps, an evaluator can remain an informed and qualified professional in the field of speech-language pathology.

You may want to check Speech-Language Audiology Technician, Speech-Language Therapist, and Speech-Language Pathology Clinical Fellow for alternative.

Job Description

Assess the communication skills and needs of patients with speech, language, swallowing, and/or hearing impairments.
Develop individualized treatment plans to help patients improve their communication skills.
Evaluate patient progress and modify treatment plans as needed.
Administer and interpret standardized assessment tools to identify patients areas of difficulty or strength.
Collaborate with other professionals, such as physicians, teachers, and psychologists, to coordinate treatment services for patients.
Educate patients and their families about communication disorders and strategies to manage communication difficulties.
Provide counseling and support to patients and families.
Educate colleagues, other healthcare professionals, and the community about speech-language pathology.
Keep detailed records of patient progress and treatment plans.
Conduct research related to speech-language pathology.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the speech, language and hearing mechanisms
Knowledge of speech, language, and hearing disorders and other communication difficulties
Understanding of the evaluation and diagnostic process, including familiarity with assessment tools and methods
Ability to interpret assessment results and make appropriate recommendations
Ability to develop appropriate treatment plans for individuals with communication difficulties
Ability to educate individuals, families, and caregivers about communication disorders
Interpersonal skills to effectively interact with a variety of individuals
Knowledge of special education laws, regulations, and procedures
Knowledge of assistive technology for individuals with communication difficulties
Ability to collaborate effectively with other professionals

Communication is one of the most important skills a Speech-Language Pathology Evaluator must possess. The ability to effectively communicate with patients, caregivers, and other healthcare professionals is essential in order to provide the best possible care and support. A Speech-Language Pathology Evaluator must also be able to listen to and understand patient needs, develop a diagnosis and treatment plan, and provide guidance for patient care.

In addition, the Evaluator should be knowledgeable about current research, treatments and therapies so they can provide evidence-based interventions that are tailored to the individual. Furthermore, Evaluators must be patient, compassionate and have excellent problem-solving skills in order to help patients achieve their goals. Having these qualities will lead to improved outcomes and better overall patient experience.

Speech-Language Pathology Clinical Coordinator, Speech-Language Clinical Educator, and Speech-Language Development Specialist are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have working with speech-language pathology?
How do you assess and diagnose speech-language impairments?
How do you use statistics and research to evaluate a patients progress?
What strategies do you use to teach speech-language skills?
Describe a time when you identified a speech-language problem and devised a plan to address it.
How do you manage communication between other health care providers, families, and school personnel?
What challenges have you faced when working with a variety of populations?
How do you manage a caseload of patients with different needs and goals?
How do you stay current on the latest speech-language assessment tools and technologies?
How would you handle a difficult patient or family situation?

Common Tools in Industry

Speech Articulation Screening and Assessment Tool. This tool is used to assess an individual's speech patterns, including their ability to produce and distinguish sounds, syllables, and words. (eg: The Goldman-Fristoe Test of Articulation)
Language Evaluation Tools. These tools are used to measure an individual's language comprehension and production. Examples of tools include the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test and the Expressive One-Word Picture Vocabulary Test.
Fluency Evaluation Tools. These tools are used to assess an individual's fluency in speaking, including their rate of speech, and the presence of any disfluencies such as stuttering or repetition. Examples of tools include the Stuttering Severity Instrument and the Iowa Fluency Assessment.
Voice Evaluation Tools. These tools are used to assess an individual's voice quality, pitch, and volume. Examples of tools include the Voice Handicap Index and the Visual Analysis of Voice Quality.
Hearing Evaluation Tools. These tools are used to assess an individual's hearing abilities, including their ability to discriminate between various frequencies and intensities of sounds. Examples of tools include audiometry and otoacoustic emission testing.

Professional Organizations to Know

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
American Academy of Audiology (AAA)
National Association of Speech and Hearing Centers (NASHC)
International Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (IASPAA)
American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation (ASHF)
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Council for Clinical Certification in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (ASHA CCC-SLP)
American Board of Audiology (ABA)
American Board of Speech-Language Pathology (ABSP)
Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA)
International Speech-Language-Pathology and Audiology Regulatory Board (ISPARB)

We also have Speech-Language Clinical Supervisor, Speech-Language Pathology Technology Trainer, and Speech-Language Pathology Diagnostic Technician jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD). A disorder in which auditory information is not correctly processed or interpreted by the brain, leading to difficulty understanding speech and other sounds.
Dysarthria. A motor speech disorder caused by neurological damage that affects the muscles used for speech production.
Speech Intelligibility. The measure of how easily an individuals speech is understood by a listener.
Articulation Disorder. A speech disorder in which a person produces sounds incorrectly, making their speech difficult to understand.
Language Disorder. A communication disorder in which a person has difficulty understanding and/or expressing language through speaking, writing, or gesturing.
Pragmatics. The rules of language use in social contexts, including how to start and maintain conversations, turn taking, and using appropriate intonation.
Fluency Disorder. A communication disorder characterized by disruptions in the flow of speech, including stuttering and cluttering.
Voice Disorder. A communication disorder characterized by changes in vocal quality, pitch, volume, or duration that make a persons voice sound strained, hoarse, breathy, or otherwise different from typical speech.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of professional is a Speech-Language Pathology Evaluator?

A Speech-Language Pathology Evaluator is a healthcare professional who specializes in diagnosing and treating communication and swallowing disorders.

What qualifications do Speech-Language Pathology Evaluators need?

Speech-Language Pathology Evaluators need to have a master's degree in speech-language pathology, as well as a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

What types of conditions do Speech-Language Pathology Evaluators treat?

Speech-Language Pathology Evaluators treat a wide range of communication and swallowing disorders, including articulation disorders, fluency disorders, language disorders, voice disorders, and dysphagia.

What types of assessments do Speech-Language Pathology Evaluators conduct?

Speech-Language Pathology Evaluators conduct assessments to diagnose and evaluate communication and swallowing disorders. These assessments may include standardized tests, informal assessments, diagnostic tests, and observation.

How long does a Speech-Language Pathology Evaluation typically take?

The length of a Speech-Language Pathology Evaluation will vary depending on the individual needs of the patient. Generally, the assessment can take anywhere from one to two hours.

Web Resources

Speech-Language Pathology (M.S.) - gs.howard.edu gs.howard.edu
Speech-Language Pathology (M.S.) - communications.howard.edu communications.howard.edu
Speech-Language Pathology (MS) | Bloomsburg www.bloomu.edu