Advanced Medical Personnel Services, Inc.

Speech Language Pathologist Job Description

Speech and language therapists work closely with infants, children and adults who have various levels of speech, communication or swallowing difficulties. The therapist assesses clients' needs and problems before developing individual treatment programs to enable each client to improve as much as possible. Treatment plans often also involve those with whom the client has a close relationship, including family, care givers or teachers.

A speech and language therapist usually works as part of a multidisciplinary team, alongside other health professionals, such as doctors, nurses, psychologists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists. The therapist may also liaise with professionals in education and the social services.

Typical work activities

Tasks typically involve:

Identifying children's developmental speech and communication difficulties/disorders;

assessing/treating swallowing and communication difficulties which may arise from a variety of causes, e.g. congenital problems (such as cleft palate) or acquired disorders after a stroke or injury; devising, implementing and revising relevant treatment programs; advising care givers on implementation of programs and training other professionals in therapy delivery; assessing communication environments; monitoring and evaluating clients' progress; working with clients on a one-to-one basis, and in groups, to deliver therapy; writing and maintaining confidential client case notes and reports, as well as information for clients, care givers and other professionals; managing a caseload taking account of priority cases, waiting lists, successful outcomes, referral and discharge of service users; working with others to improve the effectiveness of service delivery.

Therapists operating at more senior levels may be involved in the following:

• Conducting personal development reviews with colleagues;
• Supporting/supervising newly qualified speech and language therapists and speech and language therapy assistants;
• Setting organizational and personal objectives; planning and delivering training sessions; contributing to the implementation and evaluation of projects and developments;
• Undertaking clinical audit through the collation of statistical, financial and other data relating to service delivery; participating in research projects.