If you are interested in becoming a Speech Pathologist SA, read this article to learn more about the role of a Speech Pathologist in the country. You will learn more about the degree requirements for the job and what they do, including treating swallowing disorders. Also, you will learn about a Speech Pathologist’s salary and working conditions. After you have completed your education, you will be eligible for a range of salary options.

Work of a speech pathologist

The racial profile of the profession of speech-language pathology is rooted in a historically bounded past. Traditionally, audiology and speech-language therapy have been focused on the private sector, rendering services to a predominantly urban, middle-class population. Yet disparities in disease prevalence, access to care and health outcomes are common in many LMIC countries, especially in times of increasing urbanisation. Thus, rehabilitation services are unevenly distributed amongst the country’s various socio-economic groups and multilingual, multicultural population.

Despite this, there is a need to strengthen the workforce in this field in sub-Saharan Africa. As such, training programmes in the field of speech and language therapy have been established in several SSA countries over the past few years. Many of these programmes are supported by Minority World institutions. Consequently, speech pathologists must be multilingual and proficient in their local language. A recent survey of SLTs in the country suggests that one-third of these professionals came from countries outside the region.

Degree requirements for a speech pathologist

The first step toward becoming a speech pathologist SA is completing a degree. BSc (Honours) in Communication Disorders offers students an in-depth knowledge of speech processes and scientific underpinnings for intervention. Students gain hands-on practical skills to aid in communication enhancement. They also participate in postgraduate research degrees and gain valuable guidance from academic staff. There are several postgraduate options, such as masters or doctoral degrees.

Bachelor’s degrees in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology are also available. Upon undergraduate studies, graduates are registered with the Health Professions Council. They must also complete a year of community service before they become independent practitioners. They can work as speech-language therapists or audiologists in a hospital, clinic, or private practice.

The degree prepares graduates for professional practice in a diverse environment and with diverse populations. They develop critical reasoning and reflective skills and build foundational knowledge of language, speech, and swallowing. Generally, a speech pathologist has a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders. However, a teaching certificate is required to practice in a public hospital. A doctorate will also improve job opportunities.

Work of a speech pathologist in treating swallowing disorders

Those with difficulty swallowing may have difficulties completing meals and obtaining the right nutrients. In addition to being unpleasant and frustrating, swallowing disorders can be dangerous. These disorders can lead to poor nutrition, compromised chest health, and dehydration without proper treatment. The symptoms of dysphagia can range from coughing, gurgling, difficulty controlling saliva, and anxiety. A speech pathologist specialising in this field can help improve people’s swallowing capabilities and reduce their fear of food and liquids.

A speech pathologist specialises in the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of swallowing disorders. They often perform modified barium swallow studies, as well as bedside clinical evaluations. Other speech pathologists assess the patient’s speech after stroke and improve communication with staff. Additionally, some speech pathologists are specifically trained to treat patients with feeding disorders. Because they are trained in human communication, speech pathologists provide comprehensive services in the field.

A speech pathologist must have a master’s degree in speech-language pathology or a related field. A graduate degree in speech-language pathology from an accredited university, a supervised clinical fellowship of between three and five years, and a passing score on the National Board of Speech-Language-Hearing (NCC) examination. A certificate of clinical competency in speech-language pathology (CCS-S) qualifies speech-language pathologists for licensure in most states.

Salary and Employment Information For Speech-Language Pathologists in South Australia

The salary and employment information for speech pathologist SA is available from the Australian Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). The ASHA 2020 SLP Healthcare Survey includes accumulated data from all employment sectors but not starting salaries. The survey will close in September 2020. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply for a position. To learn more about speech-language-audiology careers in South Australia, read on.