When you are a speech pathologist, you have the incredible power of diagnosing the illnesses that speech patients face. Individuals have frequently been involved in tragic accidents that have caused them to have speech and cognitive issues. When you see a patient, it is your task to diagnose the exact issue that the patient needs to overcome. You may then have to make a plan for the individual. The plan will typically feature exercises that the patient can do on a regular basis to restore his or her cognitive and speaking faculties. You may also need to research medications that can help the patient. It is important for an individual to have a genuine sense of caring for other people if he or she wants to succeed as a speech pathologist. One should also have a great deal of patience. Maybe you have wondered, “How do I become a speech pathologist?” When you want to become a speech pathologist, it is essential for you to gain an astute understanding of the condition of your patient.
What’s it like to be a speech pathologist?
When you are a speech pathologist, you work with patients on an individual basis. You may have a set of four or five patients that you meet with on a regular basis. When you meet with a patient, you will have to note the progress that he or she has made in overcoming speaking issues. You may give a test to the patient to see whether certain techniques are improving the way that he or she speaks. As a speech pathologist, you may also attend seminars that teach you about the latest techniques for improving speech. You will then be able to use these techniques in helping your own patients. It is most important for you to be committed to improving the speaking functions of your patients. As a speech pathologist, you hold great power in helping individuals adapt to a new condition after a traumatic accident. The majority of your patients may be individuals who have suffered brain injuries.
Education Requirements
To become a speech pathologist, you should be prepared to devoting a significant number of years to your educational plan. You will need to obtain a bachelor’s degree in speech pathology. To practice in this specialized field of speech therapy, you must also obtain a master’s degree in speech pathology. It is also important for you to obtain a certification in your particular state in order to become a speech pathologist. You should research the requirements for obtaining a Certificate of Clinical Competence. Having this certification will also provide you with a greater level of trust with your patients. You can also obtain a doctoral degree in speech therapy if you want to teach at the university level.
Salary & How to Get a Job
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary of a speech pathologist is about $66,500 a year. A speech pathologist’s salary can increase if he or she decides to start a business. If you decide to own a speech therapy center, then you can earn hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. To break into the field, you should apply for positions at speech therapy centers and schools. Universities may also hire speech pathologists to conduct research studies in the communications department. You should try to attend speech pathology seminars in order to network with other individuals in the field. This can help you break into the field and obtain your first job. You may also want to see whether private medical offices maintain a list of speech pathologists to recommend.
References
1. http://www.ehow.com/how_2306321_become-speech-pathologist.html
2. http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/speech-language-pathologists.htm