More physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech language pathologists are leaving clinical settings behind in search of non-clinical opportunities that utilize their degrees and skills. They’re exploring alternative careers which offer greater flexibility, freedom and financial rewards.
Speech pathologists can pursue career options as voice coaches, researchers or professors and interpreters or translators.
1. Voice Coach
Vocal coaches assist those who already sing improve their voice by teaching new techniques, practicing scales and songs, encouraging expression work, as well as offering interpretation and phrasing instruction. Vocal coaches may come from either within the same profession (singers themselves) or from non-musical backgrounds such as rehearsal pianists who accompany performers for decades or former choral directors or orchestra conductors.
Speech-language pathologists (also referred to as SLPs) offer clients a range of clinical services including counseling and consultation as well as screening, diagnosis and treatment. Furthermore, SLPs may collaborate with audiologists, occupational therapists or physicians as necessary.
Though most SLPs find employment in schools or healthcare facilities, their expertise can also be applied in other environments outside these clinical environments – as voice coaches or researchers/professors for instance. Some SLPs even work as consultants to businesses to help executives communicate more effectively with employees and customers.
Starter speech-language pathologists require a master’s degree to become speech-language pathologists. Furthermore, continuing education courses may also provide insights into current trends within their specialty area – for instance those interested in singing who wish to become voice coaches can utilize their knowledge of vocal anatomy without endangering clients’ vocal health during coaching – this helps build trust with audiences while making sure everyone benefits fully from vocal lessons.
2. Occupational Therapist
Occupation therapy (OT) may seem like the ideal profession for those interested in working with children; however, its applications span much further than this. You’ll find occupational therapists working across healthcare and rehabilitation settings such as clinics, hospital wards, residential care centres, schools and private practices.
Occupational therapists (OTs) have been specially trained to employ an integrative approach that addresses all aspects of daily activities for each individual patient, taking into account both needs and abilities in different realms of daily living. They specialize in identifying obstacles to daily tasks being performed independently as well as teaching patients how to adapt their environment or performing basic tasks such as getting dressed, cooking or cleaning more independently.
After conducting an initial evaluation, an occupational therapist (OT) will work with you and any relevant caregivers to create your Plan of Care (POC), outlining both short and long-term goals for treatment. A series of treatment sessions utilizing cognitive, physical, or emotional interventions may follow.
Once you have reached a certain point in your recovery, your therapist will discharge you from treatment. While this doesn’t necessarily mean all obstacles have been cleared away, it does mean you have acquired the skills needed to manage your health condition independently.
Outside of clinical practice, occupational therapists (OTs) may pursue non-clinical paths such as management roles within rehabilitation departments or business ownership and starting their own practice. Others pursue doctorate degrees to become professors – although these non-clinical paths might not seem obvious when considering an OT degree, they provide great options to those uncertain what their next career step should be – all share one common goal – helping improve patients’ lives and quality of life.
3. Teacher
Many graduates with speech pathology degrees find that their skills are easily transferrable into other fields; some even work as teachers, occupational therapists or researchers!
Teachers make excellent partners for speech language pathologists (SLPs) looking to provide services and care to students with communication disorders. A major reason behind the strong demand for school-based SLPs in public schools may be that many health insurance plans now cover these services, making them more easily accessible for families.
School-based SLPs who attend graduate programs often learn invaluable articulation and phonology training skills that enable them to meet the learning needs of children with communication disorders. Furthermore, these strategies can be shared with teachers so they can implement them into classroom instruction.
Collaboration between SLPs and teachers is of vital importance. Studies demonstrate that when students with communication disorders aren’t appropriately supported in class, they often struggle to build and maintain relationships – creating an ineffective learning experience and missing out on life experiences that could have otherwise been meaningful to them.
Speech-language pathologists who run their own private practices may find that they can earn more per hour or session when operating independently, since they no longer pay an employer overhead costs from their pay. But this may not always be true: A recent Facebook poll revealed that having both teaching credentials (teach AND SLP) hasn’t necessarily translated to higher wages for all; hours worked and cost of living in location all impact pay rates differently.
4. Entrepreneur
Entrepreneurship can be an enthralling career path. Enjoying complete control over client selection, scheduling and business growth from its infancy can be truly liberating – plus earning potentially more than as an employee (since payroll costs don’t incur as a percentage of salary).
However, speech-language pathology may not be for everyone and takes considerable time and dedication to build and manage successfully. If this career choice appeals to you, consider earning a master’s degree in speech-language pathology; programs like MS-SLP from University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences provide flexible curriculums making this career choice accessible even to working professionals.
Not all SLPs work exclusively within private practices; many also choose to work at government or corporate settings in both administrative and clinical capacities, depending on their place of employment.
These SLPs may have larger patient loads than SLPs in private practices, yet still make an impactful contribution through their work. Many can work remotely using telepractice technology and can often find work with flexible hours to accommodate family life.
As part of your speech-language pathology career, adding a side hustle can be an excellent way to generate extra income and build the skills and confidence necessary to become an independent contractor or business owner in the future. Emma, founder of Debt Free PT, found travel healthcare positions were helpful in reducing stress levels and paying off student loans faster. With that in mind, she created Debt Free PT as an online resource providing guides, resources, mentorship and assistance for fellow therapists in realizing their worth and starting businesses of their own.
5. Ownership
Many speech language pathologists (SLPs) dream of owning their own speech therapy private practice, but this dream does not always become reality. Starting a new business requires legal requirements, documentation and marketing – as well as finding enough clients for full-time transition. But with the appropriate tools in hand, starting an SLP side hustle may prove easier while slowly building their clientele base.
SLPs who own their own businesses not only enjoy greater flexibility in scheduling clients, but they can also exercise greater control over their income by choosing how much work to take on per week or session – meaning they could potentially make more per hour than working at large clinics or schools.
SLPs who work in governmental settings may take on additional duties depending on the needs of their organization. For instance, an SLP may work closely with employees who experience difficulty with speech and language to provide services.
Are You an SLP Looking to Earn Extra Cash through Teletherapy Services? Consider Offering Teletherapy Services using HIPAA Compliant Video Platforms such as TheraPlatform! Naming Your Speech Therapy Business can Be ToughChoosing the appropriate name can be challenging but also essential – take time to think about your clientele before choosing. Some SLPs use their last name with credentials (MS, CCC-SLP etc) in their Private Practice’s name while others prefer more creative names that showcase who your target clientele are; taking this step can ensure the best success as an independent speech pathologist!
