A speech therapist, also called a speech-language pathologist, is someone who is trained to diagnose and treat problems that people have with spoken words. Speech therapist jobs can be found in a variety of fields, both public and private. These jobs may be found in schools, private communications companies, regional social work offices and even in the acting field or film industry.
A speech therapist job description may vary based upon the person's place of employment. Those who work in schools may be acting independently, while those who work in hospitals may be part of a team of medical professionals working toward the care and rehabilitation of a patient. Some speech-language pathologists also open their own practices, or work as an outside consultant to public and private firms.
A speech therapist job is often conducted in a one-on-one setting. This can be in a hospital, helping a patient to regain the capacity for speech after a stroke, or in schools, assisting a student to overcome a speech impediment that is hindering the learning process. Speech-language therapist jobs are not physically demanding but may be mentally taxing, as the therapist must pay meticulous attention to detail and concentrate on correcting speech abnormalities.
The education level required for most language and speech therapist jobs is a master's degree or equivalent. Some areas require applicants for speech therapist jobs to be licensed by local or regional government associations, and some areas require a master's degree to obtain a license. Those with less than a master's degree often pursue the avenue of speech therapist assistant jobs, which require less education and have more lax licensing procedures. The requirements to become a speech therapist may also vary depending on the place of employment. For example, a public school may have requirements that differ from those at a private medical facility.
Speech therapist jobs require a high level of patience and compassion. Every patient will progress at a different speed, and the furthering of a patient's care should not be rushed. Speech therapists also should have effective communication skills, both to understand medical terminology and test results, and also to express these things in an easy to understand manner for their patients. Problem-solving skills are an absolute must for anyone wishing to break into the field of speech and language therapy. These therapists are also required to keep meticulous records of a patient’s diagnosis, treatment and progress.