careers in psych
jar12
FinalOnlineSlides_CommunicationDisorders_2015.pptCareers in Communication Disorders
SHANNON HALL-MILLS, PH.D., CCC-SLP
SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION SCIENCE AND DISORDERS
FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY
Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology
*
What is the Definition of a Communication Disorder?
- An impairment in the ability to receive, send, process, and comprehend concepts or verbal, nonverbal and graphic symbol systems.
- May be evident in the processes of hearing, language, and/or speech.
- May range in severity from mild to profound.
- May be developmental or acquired.
- May occur as one or multiple communication disorders in individual people.
- May result in a primary disability or it may be secondary to other disabilities.
*
Who works with people with Communication Disorders?
*
What are the activities in which SLPs and AUDs engage?
- professionals in the area of human communication sciences and disorders who:
- evaluate
- treat
- conduct research
- advocate
- work with infants, children, adolescents, adults and older generations in schools, hospitals or other healthcare settings, businesses, in private practice, universities, research laboratories, and government agencies
*
What are the activities in which SLPs engage?
Areas of practice
Articulation
Fluency
Voice & resonance
Language
Hearing
Swallowing
Cognitive aspects of communication
Social aspects of communication
Alternate communication modalities
Activities
- Screening
- Evaluation
- Therapy Services
- Consultation
- Public awareness & prevention
*
What are the activities in which AUDs engage?
Areas of practice
Hearing Disorders
Balance Disorders
Activities
- Screening & Evaluation
- Hearing aid fitting
- Cochlear implant mapping
- Consultation
- Public awareness & prevention
*
What are the activities in which SLPs & AUDs engage?
In addition to providing diagnostic and therapy services, they may:
- train future professionals in colleges and universities
- manage agencies, clinics, or private practices
- engage in research to enhance knowledge about human communication
- develop new methods and assess effectiveness of treatment approaches
- serve as expert witnesses in court
*
What types of organizations or businesses employ SLP and AUD professionals?
Healthcare settings
Hospitals (general and specialty hospitals), skilled nursing facilities, outpatient rehabilitation facilities
Private practices
Education settings
Schools, universities, early childhood centers
Businesses & Research centers
*
How much graduate training is needed to become an SLP or AUD professional?
- SLP: Minimum degree needed for licensure is the MS or MA
- Typically a 2-year graduate program with academic courses and clinical practicum experiences
- Some programs also require research experience within the curriculum
- AUD: Minimum degree needed for licensure is the AUD (audiology doctorate)
- Typically a 3-year graduate program with academic courses and practicum experiences
- Both degree programs at the graduate level include a competency-based curriculum (i.e., fewer traditional tests; performance evaluated based on emerging clinical practice skills).
- Funding options exist for both types of programs and are competitive.
*
Are certifications or additional training needed to become an SLP or AUD professional?
- Must complete a Clinical Fellowship Year after completion of their master’s degree. The CFY is paid and supervised employment at the entry level.
- National credentials come from the American Speech Language and Hearing Association (Certificate of Clinical Competence= ASHA C’s).
- States also have their own licensure laws and accept the ASHA credentials.
*
How good are employment opportunities for
SLP and AUD professionals?
- Jobs are plentiful and available in all sectors (healthcare, schools, businesses) and in most locations geographically within the US.
- Jobs abroad are growing in number.
- Several other countries recognize the ASHA credentials.
- Market trends show continue growth for both fields.
*
What salaries do SLP and AUD professionals earn?
- Salaries depend in part on educational background, experience, work setting, and geographical location.
- Median salary:
- $70,000 for clinical service providers
- $70,000 for university faculty
- $90,000 for administrators, supervisors, or directors
- For 2005–2011, SLPs in skilled nursing facilities had a higher median salary than those in other health care settings. (Salaries were higher by 9%–30%.)
- employee benefits (e.g., insurance, leave, and professional development) are competitive
*
How flexible are working conditions for SLP and AUD professionals?
- Part time, Full time, and As needed (PRN) positions
- Temporary or long term contracts
- Telepractice is a growing service delivery option
- Working conditions are favorable and comfortable
- Attire in healthcare settings is usually scrubs. Other settings are business casual attire.
*
What skills and experiences should Undergrads Acquire if they are interested in SLP or AUD?
- Programs have different criteria levels for GPA, GRE scores, applicant letters of intent, letters of recommendation, work samples, research or volunteer experience, prior observation hours.
Consideration for admission to the FSU graduate program in SLP requires as a minimum:
Bachelors degree in Communication Disorders or completion of specific prerequisite courses.
Upper division undergrad GPA of at least 3.0 (*average admitted GPA is closer to 3.8)
Verbal and Quantitative GRE scores of at least 150. Writing score 4.
Letter of intent and 3 recommendation letters (>2 academic letters)
- Competitive applications show strong academic AND clinical promise.
*
What is the most rewarding aspect of being an SLP or AUD professional?
- Working with people
- Working with people who need you
- Improving the human condition: quality of life
- Seeing a child develop a new ability to communicate better or an adult learn to compensate for or regain lost communication skills.
*
What is the biggest drawback of being a
SLP or AUD professional?
- Children or adults with communication disorders face life challenges that can be difficult to overcome.
- Family and social supports are important for clients and not everyone has the same support system.
- Many clinicians express concerns about paperwork and documentation demands (in all settings).
*
Additional information
FSU Speech and Hearing Clinic provides:
- Speech-language services (all ages):
Evaluations
Therapy
- Audiology services:
Evaluations
Hearing Aid Fitting
*Cochlear Mapping
- Research:
Across the lifespan
- Future Services:
Veterans Clinic (TBI)
Integrated Preschool
*
Website recommendations for students interested in Communication Disorders
- Video about our professions:
- http://www.asha.org/students/professions/overview/slp.htm
- For more information about careers, public information about speech, language, and hearing skills, or to search for an accredited program or professional near you:
- American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA): http://www.asha.org
- National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association (NSSLHA)
*
