Occupation information for

Assess and treat persons with speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. May select alternative communication systems and teach their use. May perform research related to speech and language problems.

Currently Employed: 382

Yearly Projected Openings: 20

Typical Hourly Wage: $32.58 - $44.39

Typical Annual Salary: $67,800 - $92,300

• Monitor patients' progress and adjust treatments accordingly.
• Evaluate hearing or speech and language test results, barium swallow results, or medical or background information to diagnose and plan treatment for speech, language, fluency, voice, or swallowing disorders.
• Administer hearing or speech and language evaluations, tests, or examinations to patients to collect information on type and degree of impairments, using written or oral tests or special instruments.
• Write reports and maintain proper documentation of information, such as client Medicaid or billing records or caseload activities, including the initial evaluation, treatment, progress, and discharge of clients.
• Develop or implement treatment plans for problems such as stuttering, delayed language, swallowing disorders, or inappropriate pitch or harsh voice problems, based on own assessments and recommendations of physicians, psychologists, or social workers.
• Develop individual or group activities or programs in schools to deal with behavior, speech, language, or swallowing problems.
• Participate in and write reports for meetings regarding patients' progress, such as individualized educational planning (IEP) meetings, in-service meetings, or intervention assistance team meetings.
• Complete administrative responsibilities, such as coordinating paperwork, scheduling case management activities, or writing lesson plans.
• Instruct clients in techniques for more effective communication, such as sign language, lip reading, or voice improvement.
• Educate patients and family members about various topics, such as communication techniques or strategies to cope with or to avoid personal misunderstandings.

• Adaptive communication switches for the physically challenged
• Sound measuring apparatus or decibel meter
• Stroboscopes
• Tablet computers
• Voice synthesizers for the physically challenged

• Analytical or scientific software
• Medical software
• Music or sound editing software
• Spreadsheet software
• Word processing software