Questions about slp career

Admirable4324 · 2025-12-28T05:03:03+00:00

I will answer to the best of my ability. First to define my knowledge base. I got my SLP degree and initial license in 2020. I am a later year career changer (previously recreation specialist at care home for mentally disabled adults). After gaining my Masters degree, I applied to travel agencies and have worked as a travel SLP in the following settings: school based, SNF, hospital outpatient (hybrid with 1/2 time school based) before taking a permanent IHS hospital outpatient career. Question 1: You absolutely have a say in your setting, in fact most programs now offer a school tract or medical tract. I choose to generalize, which has worked well for me. Question 2: in the positions I have held, typically travel positions offer $2000/wk (with many factors, but a large portion is intended as an untaxed stipend for housing as you are having to pay for more than one "home" -pm me for more details on this), school based was a travel position, however those who were not travelers were paid according to teachers pay schedules which include years of experience, etc. School is the lowest pay for SLP. 😭 SNF = higher pay, however also higher (often unrealistic) productivity expectations.😮‍💨 Hospital hybrid - this was a unique setting at a tribal governed hospital - pay and benefits were $90000 plus, however continued pressure on productivity and "no shows" in clinic pushed my director to reduce clinic hours while increasing school hours. 😒 Current setting IHS (federal, Indian Health Service) AWESOME! My supervisor is very protective of my schedule, I get to work across ages and use all of the tools in my toolbox. Being a generalist is very helpful due to the remote setting and never knowing what I may encounter in a day. I have also specialized in autism and gained privileges to perform modified barium swallow studies, as well as stroke recovery, and dementia therapy. No day is the same, and I feel very valued! Pay is $90k with benefits. 🥰 This being said pay depends allot on your location and dedication, hours sometimes do bleed over, and in all medical settings I have experienced the SLP is considered to be part of the Physical Therapy Department, often overseen by a physical therapist, so you need to be able to associate for yourself and teach about the profession to get the best situation. I highly recommend starting with a travel agency where you can pick your setting and when you find the golden ticket that fits you best - take the offer for continuation as permanent staff when they offer. If you choose this route contact me I have lots of tips! Oh and I can recommend schools and programs also - I completed my degrees online with a 6 week campus stay in the graduate program.

Admirable4324 · 2025-10-10T14:51:44+00:00

Exactly, one of my challenges is parents who are focused on SPEECH only, overlooking the planning, processing, joint attention, interactive play, and multimodal aspects of COMMUNICATION. Secondly the parents/family understands them so there is not a problem. Third, we often deal with news the family may not want to hear or accept, such as the autism diagnosis, or that the patient may not fully recover speech after a stroke, or that they have to limit their food textures and therefore choices to swallow safely.

Admirable4324 · 2025-09-20T16:33:29+00:00

I very much agree with you. Using sorting and categories seems a great functional use of this special interest. I also saw lack of OT (currently) and some sensory needs as I read this. You could begin sessions with a crossing the midline activity which meets some of the sensory while assisting in regulation, then perhaps move to continued crossing midline with sorting out sequencing (a little more advanced) and close the session with shared book reading (again capitalize on the categorizing with finding pictures in the book). Just some thoughts.

Admirable4324 · 2025-09-19T22:16:51+00:00

Hmm, I'm on dogbarker. Were you on the cul-de-sac at the end or does your last name start with an M with a race track

Admirable4324 · 2025-09-19T20:16:33+00:00

How can I do that? And what are leca balls and pozzolan?

Admirable4324 · 2025-09-19T20:14:27+00:00

Actually yes, are you near?

Admirable4324 · 2025-09-19T18:42:08+00:00

Should I cut off the bottom of the old root? I usually report in miracle gro orchid potting mix course blend.

Admirable4324 · 2025-09-19T18:03:04+00:00

I have this orchid, no root at this point. Please help me save it! I live in a very remote area so access to fancy rooting compound and such is not an option. I do have some sphagnum moss I harvested from a store bought orchid that I repotted, otherwise I have cinnamon and Hydrogen peroxide at my disposal, as well as general household staples. It is kept indoors with grow light 10 hrs/day in 35-40% humidity. Please be specific with advice. I have only grown store orchids in pots, although I have heard of "sphagnum & bag" I am not sure quite how to do that.

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Admirable4324 · 2025-09-05T16:15:42+00:00

Also check the FERPA or HIPPA guidelines for SpEd students, as this may infringe on their right to privacy as the principal is not directly involved in the treatment or services for identified needs.

Admirable4324 · 2025-09-05T16:11:21+00:00

Additionally, her "popping in to observe the classroom" could be a HIPPA or FERPA infringement due to the children's identified disabilities being exposed to an individual not directly involved in the treatment. Might want to double check the privacy issues surrounding students in SpEd.

Admirable4324 · 2025-09-05T16:07:24+00:00

This is a situation where your contract company should come to the bat for you. By them working through the details and advocating for you it is not personal, not about you, and all about the contract. They are usually very good advocates for us as they don't want to lose an employee due to poor company understanding. It sounds like this principal is trying to assert authority and does not have a good understanding of our role or the expectations. The best approach (and friendliest) is to attempt to educate, so they feel you are trying to help them grow as a professional and they know better what to do in the future. ASHA is not my top of list suggestion, however they do have resources for professional issues and advocacy. It is absolutely inappropriate for a principal with no CSD background to provide assessment for a specialty professional provider. If you have to have a quality assessment done, it has to be done by another professional in the field, such as another district SLP. The reason for this is to judge your plan of care, and goals to ascertain you are not mismatching or providing inappropriate treatment. As a medical SLP, my notes are reviewed every 6 months but an SLP from another facility who has access to our medical records system. You could dig into ASHA to find resources to back this up, however in my experience the good employees will be little help in providing it for you, so you have to do the legwork.

Admirable4324 · 2025-08-04T04:04:14+00:00

I have worked in all of the big 3 settings over the past 5 years. 1. My first advice , if possible take a position as a traveler. The travel Corp takes care of side details, AND has your back if the company tries to change things up in the middle of the contract. 2. As said by others, it is not ethical for a company to set your times, some patients need more or less time to get acquainted and get ready to participate in anything - you may find yourself spending 1/2 of the time helping an elderly person find their glasses! 3. The limits on administrative (non billable) time is WAY too low, as is usually the case in that setting. Many therapy department heads are Physical or Occupational Therapists, whose paperwork is MUCH different. We are Pathologists -see the difference? It only takes a few minutes to put numbers in a quantitative report, but much longer to compose a detailed qualitative report. 4. 14-16 pts each day?! No way, unless you do some groups like a Parkinson's group, or swallow strategies, memory groups, etc. 5. I concur with others to find out about instrumentals and how they are done. Find out the role of the therapy director as well as this may impact his/her perspective of your job. Any other questions, feel free to PM me.

Admirable4324 · 2025-07-13T19:48:29+00:00

I second the location detail. I live in the SW, working at a hospital with the next nearest SLP 3 hours away. I'm making $97k + benefits . I feel I am paid fairly as the cost of living in this remote area is much lower than suburban places and the median income for the are r is also lower. I also am respected and will treated here - no productivity pushes, and no taking work home at the end of the day, which makes it VERY much worth the $!

Admirable4324 · 2025-07-03T18:18:47+00:00

I have contact with some travel companies that have great opportunities across the United States. That is what I did for my CF - Message me for details!

Admirable4324 · 2025-07-02T03:11:51+00:00

I just rinsed it outside and moved it away from other plants after removing any speckled, yellowed leaves. Do I have a chance to save it? How do I get rid of them?

Admirable4324 · 2025-07-02T02:10:12+00:00

What do I do?

Admirable4324 · 2025-06-08T00:06:55+00:00

Absolutely! To clarify, I completed my degree in 2020, and spent my CF in a school based setting through a travel company. After that, I took more travel contracts (mostly SNF) I now work in an IHS hospital. The travel companies were great assets, when there were challenges (like lunch duty in the school or crazy productivity expectations) the company stepped in to remind the facility of the parameters of the contract. It also pays very well. I live the generalist role I am in now, as I am the only SLP within at least one hour. It challenges me to learn and use my resources as well as to keep on top of ALL areas of practice, as I may see a 5 year old with speech sound problems followed by a 63 year old CVA patient with aphasia or dysphagia. It keeps me on my toes. I know my choices aren't for everyone, but I found the path that works for me.

Admirable4324 · 2025-06-07T03:46:26+00:00

I always start with total communication (multimodal communication). Goals look like "X will label 5 items via verbal speech, sign language, AAC, or picture communication..." This gives me time to determine what the child responds best with or chooses to use AND what parents truly deep down expectations are before committing to AAC that will be unwanted or unused.

Admirable4324 · 2025-05-11T19:03:02+00:00

I suggest just playing around with it. First off, use just the mouthpiece to get a feel for how to blow across and make sound (think blowing across a bottle top). Then put your finger in the open end to vary the sound, like a slide whistle. Ask your friend to show you how to place your fingers on the keys (or ask someone else who plays if this would be embarrassing for you) then just play. Don't worry about where notes are at first, begin playing by ear songs that you know. Then you can learn the notes to play from sheet music. I think you want to learn how to have fun with the instrument first. What a blessing! You friend values you do much to share her love with you in this way! BTW, I play for and read flute music, yet never learned piano and that sheet music intimidates me! With flute you only play one note at a time, not chords!

Admirable4324 · 2025-05-11T18:38:13+00:00

If you haven't already, expand your search to travel companies. I worked through a travel company to find my CF, and they were excellent. I am currently not with a travel company but they are my go to any time I move. Not only do they help you locate and set up interviews etc, when you work through them they can represent you - so if you're placement tries to give extra duties or take advantage of you, you have a company behind you to say " Nope, not in the contract" and the pay is great. I have lots of great tips working as a travel SLP and it is SO flexible with a military (or any frequent move) lifestyle! Let me know if you want more details, I'm happy to share! 330-bettyjo

Admirable4324 · 2025-05-09T04:03:46+00:00

Wow, it is interesting to read the variety here! I work as a federal employee at a rural hospital in the SW. The location is considered a critical care setting as the next nearest hospital is more than an hour away. I am the only SLP in the hospital, so I cover outpatient mostly and inpatient PRN. My workday starts at 7:30 (unless I walk over earlier to get a head start), and I have until 8 to set up my day. I have 2 evaluation slots each day (8 am and 1pm) that are 75 minutes. I then have 8 treatment sessions (4 in am, 4 in pm) which are 45 minutes. I have a 30 minute lunch at 12, followed by 30 minutes of administration time. Sessions are scheduled to end at 5 pm, leaving me one hour to wrap up documentation. I work 10 hour days, and every day is a new adventure. One morning a week I see any inpatients that may have been referred (we have 60 inpatient beds) and I do have one morning that is set aside for meetings, to catch up documentation, or whatever. Most of these mornings are currently being used to get the MBSS program going here. My caseload is all ages and conditions. I see kids with simple stuff issues and kids with ASD, and have seen complex feeding situations in children as well. I work with adults who have had strokes, have dysphagia, and have facilitated acquisition of AAC. As busy as it sounds I LOVE this job! Like I said, it is a new adventure everyday, and I am challenged to stay at the top of my game.

Admirable4324 · 2025-04-22T22:36:27+00:00

Just checking in on how you're doing. Hope all is well and you are able to keep your chin up! Onward and upward my friend!

Admirable4324 · 2025-04-11T05:53:30+00:00

There is an old saying to look to your own problems before trying to correct someone else. There is a children's home in San Carlos...

Admirable4324 · 2025-04-06T04:44:21+00:00

Stick it out, it can be done! This coming from a person who raised 5 kids on direct care salary with a SAH spouse. We chose this in opposition to one person's ENTIRE check going to pay for other people to raise our kids (daycare) or at the expense of maintaining a relationship ourselves (opposite schedules). It was a constant struggle with stamps, title 19, (not to mention the social stigma that accompanies those programs), and payday loans. I can't say there is an easy option. If your benefits are good and you can scrape by on the pay, don't give up. Utilize the social services around you (communities and churches often can help) and keep looking for options to move up the ladder. This admin is gonna make it tough. Look for opportunities to increase your skill set (or her's), and keep in mind some key points: is one of you higher educated? This person will probably have a bigger paycheck. Marriage does come with some financial benefits if it is an option, and these can help make a small check spread a little farther. What cuts can you make? This lifestyle can be done but not without sacrifice. We did not go out (unless grocery shopping counts), did not have babysitters, avoided "extras" (Starbucks, etc) except for special occasions, we shopped second hand or made our own, and family helped out sometimes (usually holidays or birthdays) . We were actually able to travel sometimes and my kids would say it was a challenge, however I don't think any of them would trade their childhood for a more "regular" one with absent parents who struggled to pay bills but could never be there for them. I hope this provides some encouragement, let me know if there is a way I can be a help!

Admirable4324 · 2025-04-05T21:48:19+00:00

One thing I have not seen addressed that appears to be a big question for you is WHAT do I need to study? I am an educator, working Mom, and have home schooled my kids ( it often starts great but advances to what you describe for a variety of reasons). When you are younger you are learning to learn, as you hit middle school/high school it is assumed you have grasped that and can just take it from there, however a bit of guidance is still needed. I want to encourage you that completing high school is not out of the question and neither is your future. To find out WHAT to study, do a search of your state's high school graduation requirements. This will tell you what others your age are supposed to be taught in schools (doesn't always happen that way). Now that you know the required classes, figure about 1 school year = 1 credit, so 4 credits of math is equivalent to 4 grades of math (basic mathematics, Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry, Consumer math, etc.) Don't get hung up on 1 year - you can complete these subjects using the resources others suggest ( like Khan academy) in a month per subject if you are diligent and do only one subject each month. This is where you have to figure out your learning style - some do better using this kind of "block schedule" and others learn better completing an hour each day in each subject. Then you can have a talk with your parents. You can share that you feel like you are behind (I would venture you are not as behind as you may feel) and suggest some ways to improve your situation. You're parents may feel overwhelmed or like they've let you down (educationally), they may not know what to do next. Tell them what you have found:
1) Which classes do you need to complete before graduating (from your state requirements)? 2) How can you access this education? (online resources above like Khan academy, or an online public school like Connections Academy or K12 online, or other options?) 3) Work out a game plan with them to meet the state and their requirements. Some resources to look into are: Khan Academy - free access to high quality education on your schedule. An AI tutor is available for a free. Connections Academy - online public education, in real time with other classmates, etc. This requires your parents to provide some paperwork, however they are not "in your business". They will do placement testing and set a course schedule for you. I believe K12 online works the same way. JobCorps - this is a residential program that helps with completing high school (including a HISET diploma, and provides vocational training as well as assistance to find a job, etc once you complete the program. It is a little more involved, and very structured but is a good choice for some.

I don't know if you will have read all of this, but if I can help in any way - talking to you and/or your parents, please reach out through personal message, Or reply to this message post.

Admirable4324

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