An SLP is a specialist who works to help people of all ages who are experiencing difficulties with their speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication, or swallowing. The tasks, responsibilities, and client demographics of SLPs vary widely throughout the numerous fields in which they operate, including research, teaching, and healthcare.
There are several resources available to a veteran who wants to pursue a career in speech-language pathology, including financial aid from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Here’s a rundown of the steps you need to do to use your VA education funds to launch a speech-language pathology profession.
Common Services Provided by Speech-Language Pathologists
Professionals trained in speech-language pathology evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients with speech, language, and swallowing problems. Among the services offered are:
Evaluation and Analysis
Assessing and diagnosing communication impairments is a key function given by speech-language pathologists. One way to do this is by conducting a diagnostic evaluation of a person’s speech and language abilities.
Planning Medical Care
Once speech-language pathologists have identified a communication impairment, they work with patients to create customized treatment programs that may involve a variety of approaches, from physical therapy to cognitive behavioral therapy.
Sessions of Therapy
Regular therapy sessions are when speech-language pathologists help their clients put into action their treatment goals. Depending on the individual’s requirements, these meetings can be held either one-on-one, in a small group, or in a formal classroom.
Tracking Our Way Forward
Speech therapists keep close tabs on their patients’ development during therapy in order to make course corrections as needed.
Advice and Training
To better understand and cope with communication difficulties, speech-language pathologists often give counseling and education services to their clients and their families.
Compensation for Speech Language Pathologists
As of May 2020, the average compensation for speech-language pathologists was $80,480 per year, as reported by the BLS. The income of a speech language pathologist (SLP) might change based on a number of things. To obtain a realistic notion of what you may anticipate to make as a speech language pathologist, you should learn about the local compensation range for SLPs.
How to Get your Speech Pathology Degree
Get a four-year degree:
Earning a bachelor’s degree is the first step in this direction. A bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders is the minimum requirement for entry into the field of speech pathology. Statistics, research methods, biology, human social behavior, linguistics, language disorders, infant language development, and the anatomy of the hearing and speech systems are all included in this type of degree program.
A degree in one field may not always be the best preparation for a certain job. You might major in English, psychological education, language development, or linguistics for your undergraduate studies.
Get your Master's in Speech-Language Pathology:
A master’s degree in speech-language pathology is an option after completion of a bachelor’s degree in the field. Check the American Speech-Hearing Association’s (ASHA) accreditation status before committing to a graduate school. This master’s program requires students to complete a certain number of clinical hours working with actual patients under the supervision of a certified speech pathologist.
The patient groups you’ll be working with will be as diverse as the locations you’ll be working in. These practicum hours are required at varying rates from state to state, anything from 300 to 375. You can assure compliance by researching your state’s unique standards.
Finish an academic fellowship after college:
A post-graduate fellowship, required for licensing, can be applied for once the required undergraduate and graduate degrees have been earned. The fellowship offers an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the field of speech pathology while working with a mentor who is both trained and licensed by the American Speech Language Hearing Association.
While specific state regulations might vary widely, most fellowships must involve direct patient contact for at least 80 percent of their whole duration (36 weeks or 1,260 hours). To finish your fellowship, you may need to get a temporary state license from your home state, which might take up to a year. You can apply for this license by assembling a copy of your Master’s degree and a plan for your clinical fellowship, both of which must be signed by a licensed supervisor.
Participate in the Speech Language Pathology Certification Exam:
You can take the Praxis II: Subject Assessment in Speech-Language Pathology test given by the Educational Testing Service once your fellowship is over. Candidates can take the exam at any time after earning their master’s degrees, however the vast majority do so after finishing their fellowships. On a scale from 100 to 200, a score of 162 is required to pass this test. Topics covered in the multiple-choice and essay portions of the exam include patient evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment planning.
Submit an Application for Accreditation:
The ASHA’s Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC) is a requirement for practice in several states. After finishing a master’s program, a fellowship, and the Praxis test, you are eligible to apply for this certification. To keep your certification current after receiving it, you will need to complete 30 hours of continuing education (CE) courses every three years.
Get your state's required professional license:
To apply for a state license, you must submit your exam scores, official transcripts, a completed criminal background check, and a processing fee. In addition, a jurisprudence test covering the state’s laws and norms may be needed in some jurisdictions. You can maintain practicing speech pathology by adhering to the renewal guidelines established by your state.
Get your resume and cover letter ready:
You may begin searching for employment as a speech pathologist once you have completed the required coursework, passed the relevant exams, and gotten your license. Create a CV and cover letter to send out with your application to potential employers. Include your schooling and a summary of your clinical experience from fellowship and school. Always remember to modify your CV and cover letter to fit the specific requirements of the position you are applying for.
Conclusion
A job as a speech-language pathologist has the potential to be both interesting and lucrative. You can use your Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits to get the training you need for this career. The advice in this article will put you on the path to success in this area.
Make use of resources like professional organizations and VA support services, as well as conduct thorough study on all potential educational and licensing paths. Start looking into your possibilities today if a career in speech-language pathology is something you’re considering. Don’t forget to be ready for your license application by getting a background check through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)-approved Florida Electronic Fingerprinting Service.
