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29-1127.00 - Speech-Language Pathologists


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.


Key Facts
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Bright Outlook
1
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
135,400
Estimate
Forecasted Employment
164,300
Estimate
Change in Employment
+28,900
Estimate
Change in Employment %
+21.3%
Estimate
Tasks
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Tasks
The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.
Core
  • Monitor patients' progress and adjust treatments accordingly.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Instruct clients in techniques for more effective communication, such as sign language, lip reading, or voice improvement.
  • Teach clients to control or strengthen tongue, jaw, face muscles, or breathing mechanisms.
  • Develop speech exercise programs to reduce disabilities.
  • Consult with and advise educators or medical staff on speech or hearing topics, such as communication strategies or speech and language stimulation.
  • Design, develop, or employ alternative diagnostic or communication devices or strategies.
  • Conduct lessons or direct educational or therapeutic games to assist teachers dealing with speech problems.
  • Communicate with non-speaking students, using sign language or computer technology.
  • Use computer applications to identify or assist with communication disabilities.
  • 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.
  • 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 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.
  • Educate patients and family members about various topics, such as communication techniques or strategies to cope with or to avoid personal misunderstandings.
  • Participate in conferences, training, continuing education courses, or publish research results to share knowledge of new hearing or speech disorder treatment methods or technologies.
  • Supervise or collaborate with therapy team.
  • Consult with and refer clients to additional medical or educational services.
Supplemental
  • Provide communication instruction to dialect speakers or students with limited English proficiency.
  • Conduct or direct research on speech or hearing topics and report findings for use in developing procedures, technologies, or treatments.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Knowledge
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Knowledge

The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.
 English Language
  • 95%
    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
 Psychology
  • 79%
    Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
 Customer and Personal Service
  • 78%
    Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
 Education and Training
  • 77%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
 Therapy and Counseling
  • 74%
    Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
 Medicine and Dentistry
  • 67%
    Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
 Computers and Electronics
  • 59%
    Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
 Clerical
  • 59%
    Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
 Foreign Language
  • 57%
    Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
 Sociology and Anthropology
  • 56%
    Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
 Communications and Media
  • 52%
    Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
 Mathematics
  • 52%
    Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
 Administration and Management
  • 51%
    Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Tools
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Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Indicating and recording instruments
  • Airflow measurement devices
 Computer data input devices
  • Alternative computer keyboards
  • Reading pens
 Hearing testing products
  • Audiometers
  • Sound booths
 Communication aids for the physically challenged
  • Augmentative communication devices
  • Infrared switches
  • Jellybean switches
  • Sound switches
  • Therapeutic voice synthesizers
  • Touch switches
 Audio and visual equipment
  • Closed circuit television systems
  • Compact disk CD players
  • Compact stereo systems
  • Digital audio recorders
  • Headphones
  • Recording microphones
  • Tape recorders
  • Video cassette recorders VCR
 Computers
  • Desktop computers
  • Dynamic display devices
  • Laptop computers
  • Personal computers
  • Tablet computers
 Light and wave generating and measuring equipment
  • Diagnostic stroboscopes
  • Digital video stroboscopy systems
  • Video stroboscopes
 Cameras
  • Digital cameras
  • Handheld camcorders
 Sound generating and measuring equipment
  • Electroglottographs EGG
  • Laryngographs
 Diagnostic assessment and exam products for general use
  • Electromyographs EMG
 Word building resource materials and accessories
  • Speech therapy mirrors
 Pressure measuring and control instruments
  • Subglottal air pressure measurement devices
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology
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Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Computer game or entertainment software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Audition
  • Apple Logic Pro
 Industry specific software
  • Avaaz Innovations AphasiaMate
  • Avaaz Innovations Computerized Speech Research Environment CSRE
  • Avaaz Innovations Interactive Voice Analysis System IVANS
  • Biofeedback software
  • Bungalow Software Aphasia Tutor
  • ELR Software eLr Extra Language Resources
  • KayPENTAX Multi-Speech
  • KayPENTAX Nasometer
  • Language analysis software
  • Learning Fundamentals Speech Visualization
  • Micro Video Voice Speech Training System
  • Propeller Multimedia React2
  • Signal analysis software
  • Speech analysis software
 Content management software
  • Dropbox
 Information exchange software
  • Email software
 Content authoring and editing software
  • Microsoft ExcelHOT
  • Microsoft WordHOT
  • YouTubeHOT
 Business function specific software
  • Microsoft OfficeHOT
 Network applications software
  • Tadpoles
  • Web browser software
 Educational or reference software
  • Text to speech software
 Utility and device driver software
  • Words+ E Z Keys for Windows
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications
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Certifications
FastForward at Virginia's Community Colleges is a short-term training program for high-demand industries, like healthcare, information technology, and skilled trades and infrastructure, helping Virginians get the jobs and salaries they need. Our goal is to get you trained, help you earn your certification, and get you into a career that can support you and your family. Explore the latest training program offerings by visiting FastForward
The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.
 Advanced
 Core
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Licensing
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Licensing
The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Related Programs
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Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.
INSTITUTION
PROGRAMS
James Madison University
 Programs
Longwood University
 Programs
Northern Virginia Community College
 Programs
Old Dominion University
 Programs
Radford University
 Programs