About the job:
As a Speech Therapist, you assess and treat people with speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. You also develop and implement treatment plans for problems such as stuttering, delayed language, swallowing disorders, or inappropriate pitch or harsh voice problems, based on your own assessments and recommendations of physicians, psychologists, or social workers.
Speech Therapists have to follow a traineeship program in parallel with their university studies.
After graduating, they have 2 main career options:
1.) Working in a Private Clinic/Polyclinic
2.) Working in a Center/Specialized School
The path that most students take is a combination of the two.
- Morning (8 am - 2 pm) schedule at a Center or Nursery
- Saturdays and Afternoons in the Private Clinic
A typical schedule looks like:
- 3 Times per week at a Center/Specialized School (For $50-$80/Day)
- 1 or 2 Times per week at a School/Nursery ($60-$80/Day)
- 3 to 5 Patients with two weekly sessions ($25/Session)
Few Speech Therapists work full-time in Centers. Some even work in Hospitals or Rehabilitation Centers.
Note that working with adults, instead of children, requires additional experience through traineeship, workshops or a Master’s degree.
As a Speech Therapist, you will have to:
- Be very patient - Progress can be slow!
- Deal with clients and families who want fast results!
- Deal with tons of paperwork
- Deal with repetitive tasks
- Motivate others
As a Speech Therapist, you:
- Are helping others
- Can be your own boss
- Can form strong bonds with clients and their families
- Can enjoy seeing your clients grow and improve
- 37.5 hours/week
- 20% Overtime
- Travel may be required
There are opportunities for flexible or part-time work, and job-sharing is available.
Are you the right fit?
- Biology
- Languages (English or French or Arabic)
- Life Sciences
- Understanding what you hear
- Understanding written information
- Problem Sensitivity
- Planning & Organization
- Reasoning & Problem Solving
Will you make money?
Education stuff:
Education
- A Degree in Speech Therapy, Communications or Speech and Hearing Sciences might be most relevant for you
- A Master's degree is required
Competencies
- You must demonstrate compassion, patience, and critical thinking skills
- You also must possess excellent speaking, listening, and writing skills
Computer Skills
- Additionally, you will need knowledge of medical software such as Avaaz Innovations Interactive Voice Analysis System, language analysis software, and spreadsheet programs such as Microsoft Excel
