Thinking about becoming a speech pathologist? Or maybe you’re a student speech pathologist or a new grad? Maybe you’re an experienced speechie wanting to ensure your day-to-day work life is the most productive it can be! No matter what stage of career you are in, we have tips from our fabulous Speech Pathologists to inspire you to make the most of your behind-the-scenes work.
5 Things Great Speech Pathologists Do Every Day
Great Speech Pathologists prepare professionally
Ensuring you are prepared for a session is crucial to deliver the best care to clients. We asked some of our Mansfield speechies how they best prepare for their sessions. At the end of progress notes, Tash and Lucy always write a detailed plan with activity ideas for their next sessions, so they know exactly what they are doing and how to prepare for their next session with a client. Before that next session, they will check the previous progress note to refresh what was achieved in the last session and what goals and expectations may be set for the upcoming session. We also need to ensure we have the best resources for our sessions, whether this is assessments, craft, or toys! Click here to see our recommendations of the 5 best therapy resources!
Great Speech Pathologists focus on learning
Evidence Based Practice (EBP) should guide all sessions. We love this article about the importance of EBP culture in the Speech Pathology industry. It gets real and addresses some barriers. Understanding these barriers helps us to know the best way to support our clinicians to overcome these challenges. So how do we overcome barriers like not having time to be up to date with EBP? We have structured supervision, wellness check-ins, as well as daily and weekly team meetings. We also provide and encourage our speechies to attend Professional Development (PD) workshops to ensure they have the most current and up to date information and ideas from experts. Kate W shares that at SpeechEase, our speechies are never ‘just winging it.’ Whether our clinicians are reading the latest literature, attending PD, or collaborating with their colleagues, they are always learning. SpeechEase Speech Therapy sets aside time daily for Team Time so that our speechies are constantly reflecting, seeking, and gaining knowledge.
Great Speech Pathologists prioritise their wellbeing
As healthcare professionals we sometimes neglect our own wellbeing but we know we must prioritise this! We believe in putting our best selves forward for the clients, so they can be given the opportunities they deserve. Tash loves to always keep her water bottle on hand – at her desk and in her sessions. As speech pathologists, we know that excessive use of voice in sessions can be straining. We love hearing that Tash follows vocal hygiene strategies and models this to clients! Our Team Experience, Wellness and Development Leader, leads wellness check-ins with the team to ensure they have a good work-life balance, good coping strategies for work or life stressors, and positive relationships.
Great Speech Pathologists build relationships with their colleagues
What makes you want to go to work in the morning? We know speech pathology is a great career, but we will always have clients who we enjoy seeing and work we enjoy doing. There is so much more to a workplace than just the work. You also need a great team. Our Clinic Support Team, Allied Health Assistants, Leadership Team, and Speechies all have genuine connections. Some of our team members post in the “Feel Good and Funnies” chat about recent events to spread some laughter. Some post client-wins in the “Celebrations,” chat and are met with positivity and pride! Maybe after you’ve had a hard session you just need a smile or a cup of tea with a colleague to get you through the day. Having meaningful connections and professional relationships with all team members is so important for your wellbeing.
Great Speech Pathologists have fun
Our Speechies are genuinely passionate about the industry which makes it so easy to have fun! Jokes echo through the hallways during lunch breaks, resources are organised (by colour of course!) … and have you seen our Team Retreats? Head over to our Facebook or Instagram to see the fun outside our clinics on our Annual Team Retreats. In 2022 we enjoyed the island-life of Daydream Island and in 2023 we grounded ourselves in the rainforests in Tamborine Mountains. The culture of fun is so important to SpeechEase, it is one of our core values:
We are professionally fun!
We bring the energy and keep it fun. We are creative. We think outside of the box. We are person-centred and evidence based. We focus on what matters to you. We work hard, play hard, recharge.
So, prepare, learn, grow, connect, and smile! Because a smile on our faces brings a smile to our clients and ultimately that is what makes a speech pathologist both in sessions and behind-the scenes.
Where to look for more inspiration:
11 Reasons To Become a Speech Pathologist (Plus Career Tips) | Indeed.com
A Day In The Clinic | Private Practice Experience Day (speechease.net.au)
10 things Speech Pathologists want you to know – Modern Speechie
5 Go-To Speech Therapy Resources for Speech Pathologists (speechease.net.au)
