When most people think of a speech-language pathologist (SLP), they think of a person working in a school, teaching children say "rabbit" rather than "wabbit." But speech-language pathologists also work in the medical setting and play a vital role in any hospital.
Misconceptions
It's a common misconception that speech-language pathologists help only with speaking, and specifically pronunciation. In fact, in the medical setting, one of the most important jobs of an SLP is to work with patients who have difficulty swallowing. Many times, elderly patients lose muscle strength in their throats, making it difficult for them to swallow food or liquid without it going down their windpipes and into the lungs, which can cause aspiration and pneumonia. The SLP performs swallowing tests on the patient, which lets doctors and nurses know what type of food is appropriate for the patient. While a patient with normal throat strength can handle solid food, some patients may need to be restricted to viscous liquids like pudding, to liquids only or to only IV fluids.
Function
Other functions of the SLP in a medical setting include rehabilitation work with patients who have suffered strokes. A stroke can often leave the speaking functions of a person impaired, and an SLP can help improve speech, or at least help the person adjust to her impaired speaking function. Patients who have suffered traumatic brain injuries in serious accidents may also need therapy to help with their speaking functions.
SLPs also still see the occasional child with a language or articulation problem. In addition to services through the schools, some medical plans allow for private speech work that can be done at a hospital or through a private practice.
Considerations
Becoming an SLP in the medical setting requires a degree in speech-language pathology, as well as a master's degree in speech-language pathology. This means it requires a minimum of 6 years of schooling to become an SLP. A master's degree program will usually require at least one unpaid internship for a semester. Most schools require both a hospital and school internship to graduate from their graduate programs, though some schools now offer programs specifically for the medical setting. SLPs must also undergo the American Speech and Hearing Association (AHSA) certification process to be licensed to work as SLPs in a hospital setting.
Benefits
The pay for working as a medical SLP varies greatly depending on location and type of hospital. Generally, SLPs who work in the medical field tend to make a little more than SLPs who work in a school setting, though a little less than SLPs with a successful private practice. A general starting salary for an SLP who works in a medical setting is between $35,000 and $50,000.
The hours for a speech-language pathologist in a hospital are quite reasonable. Most work a normal workday from 9 to 5. Most hospitals also keep at least one SLP "on call" should any emergency situations come up during off-hours. This is one way for SLPs to earn a little extra money.
Warning
Though some SLPs love working in a medical setting, others find it very difficult. Working in a hospital setting involves more "high-risk" situations where a patient's life may be at stake, compared to a school setting working with children. Most patient care is focused on the elderly in a medical setting, many of whom are nearing the end of their lives, and dealing with death is an inevitable part of the job.
Working in a medical setting also requires a great deal of paperwork. Much an of SLP's time is spent charting a patient's condition and working on reports to explain what a patient needed and what services he was given, so that the patient has accurate records the next time he needs treatment.
Tags: medical setting, degree speech-language, degree speech-language pathology, have suffered, hospital setting, master degree