Communication is the Key to Connection
In honor of Better Hearing and Speech Month (BHSM) this May, I wanted to take the time to share just some of the MANY reasons I love being a speech language pathologist (SLP). Speech language pathologists get the chance to meet so many individuals and to change lives for the better each and every day. Here at Magee, we are a small but mighty speech team. We support one another, learn from one another, and strive to constantly provide the best care for our patients and families. I’m proud and blessed to be a member of what I believe to be one of the greatest professions on earth! So, why is being an SLP so awesome, you ask? Here are just a handful of reasons:
We work in a variety of settings. Speech pathologists are trained to work with individuals across their lifespan. You find SLPs working in a variety of settings including:
- Early intervention settings
- Public/private schools
- Private practices
- Acute care hospitals
- Inpatient acute rehab hospitals (like Magee)
- Skilled nursing facilities
- Outpatient centers
- Home health agencies
- Universities
We serve clients with diverse needs. In addition to being able to work in a variety of settings, SLPs get the chance to work with diverse clients across different settings. No two clients are ever the same. Even for clients with the same “diagnosis,” we implement treatment plans that are unique and patient-specific. Speech language pathologists here at Magee help individuals achieve a variety of goals following a stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, or other medical diagnosis. Some goals that we help patients work toward include:
- Communication (understanding/expressing language)
- Voice
- Speech
- Swallowing
- Cognitive/thinking skills
The learning never ends. The field of speech pathology is wide and ever changing. New research is constantly coming out and SLPs have to continually read up on current best practices, attend conferences, and learn new treatment methods to provide the best care to the diverse patients we see. We are lifelong learners!
We make a difference! One of the greatest things about being an SLP is being able to make a difference, whether small or big, in the lives of another individual. There is no greater feeling than to watch an individual work hard, reach milestones, and believe in a way back following a life changing event. For these reasons and many more, I will always be thankful to have a job I love where I am surrounded by others who share that same passion for continuous learning and helping others.
To learn more about Speech Therapy at Magee, click here.
Photo: Magee SLPs at the annual Employee Service Awards Dinner
