Speech Language Pathologist Job
What is a Speech-Language Pathologists?
SLPs or Speech Language Pathologists are master-level educated health care professionals who work with both children and adults to prevent, assess, diagnose and manage (through treatment and counseling) speech, language, voice, and swallowing disorders.
What do Speech Language Pathologists Do?
Speech-Language Pathologists often work in collaboration with medical and rehabilitation personnel, educators, social workers, psychologists, counselors, audiologists and other speech-language pathologists. They work in a variety of environments, including hospitals, community health centers, child development centers, private clinics, schools, industry, rehabilitation centers, government agencies and universities. Moreover, speech-language pathologists can choose to specialize in assessment and treatment of specific types of communication disorders. Specialization areas can include developmental language, articulation/phonology, voice, fluency, swallowing, or neurogenic speech and language disorders. More specifically, SLP’s:
- Provide consultative and intervention services for speech and language disorders from infancy to adulthood
- Use specialized procedures to assess and diagnose communication and swallowing disorders
- Develop and implement treatment plans for language, speech, voice and/or swallowing disorders
- Design and employ alternative communication strategies and devices
- Counsel clients and families regarding communication and swallowing disorders
- Consult with and advise other health professionals regarding communication disorders
- Consult with educators regarding inclusion, communication, speech and language stimulation and teaching strategies for students with communication disorders
- Educate and supervise students
- Conduct research aimed at expanding knowledge about processes underlying communication disorders and effective strategies for diagnosis and treatment
Where do Speech Language Pathologists Work?
Speech-language pathologists work in a variety of health and educational settings, including, but not limited to:
- Hospitals
- Public Health Units
- Community Health Centers
- Schools
- Children's Treatment Centers
- Community Care Access Centers
- Private Practice
- Preschool settings/daycares
- Resource Centers
- Facilities for developmentally and/or physically challenged individuals.
Career Opportunities
Speech-Language Pathologists enjoy excellent employment opportunities and graduates have always been very successful at securing employment soon after graduation.
Licensing in Canada
Certification by CASLPA, the Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists is an important step in the career development of speech-language pathologists and audiologists practicing in Canada. It is the highest professional standard as set by the national association of professional peers. This status for the professions indicates to employers and clients that the speech language pathologist or audiologist has met the requirements for entry-level knowledge in the professions and is committed to ongoing education.
Certification is not a mandatory procedure, but is required by clinical sites accredited by CASLPA and is requested by some employers
CASLPA grants certification to speech-language pathologists and audiologists who successfully complete the certification exam and fulfill other requirements as set out by CASLPA National Standards including, possession of a Master's degree in Audiology and/or Speech-Language Pathology or equivalent, hold full membership in CASLPA and meet clinical practicum requirements.
The exam is offered to student members of CASLPA who have completed all course work requirements and are anticipating graduation in the calendar year of the exam, and to CASLPA members in good standing. In special circumstances internationally trained professionals may be required to pass the certification exam to determine eligibility for membership/licensing.
To maintain certification status, members must accrue and report 45 continuing education equivalents (CEEs) over a three-year period.
Click here for information on the certification www.caslpa.ca
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Call: 1 (877) 670-3426
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