What to Consider When Switching from a Clinical to a School-Based SLP Job

Transitioning from a clinical setting to a school environment as a speech language pathologist (SLP) can be both exciting and challenging. The shift from a clinical to a school setting requires not only adjustment to your day-to-day routine and responsibilities but also a new approach to patient care, as your focus will expand to include educational goals and working in a school team.

Here, we will explore the differences between clinical and school-based SLP jobs, along with the challenges and benefits of switching. We will also provide tips to help you navigate this transition and adapt to the unique demands of working with school students, educators, and parents to support children’s communication needs.

What are the differences between a clinical and school SLP?

The roles of clinical and school-based SLPs differ significantly in several ways. Clinical SLPs typically work with a broad range of clients across various age groups, addressing diverse speech, language, swallowing, and cognitive-communication disorders in medical or private practice settings. Their goals focus on improving overall communication, cognitive functioning, or swallowing abilities to enhance health and quality of life.

School-based SLPs, on the other hand, work primarily with children and adolescents within educational settings, such as private or public schools, concentrating on disorders that impact academic performance, such as articulation issues and language delays. Their work involves supporting educational success by enhancing communication skills, often through individualized education programs (IEPs).

While clinical SLPs collaborate mainly with healthcare professionals, school-based SLPs engage closely with teachers, special education staff, school psychologists, and parents. Furthermore, clinical SLPs manage caseloads with a focus on intensive, individualized therapy and detailed medical documentation. School-based SLPs often handle larger caseloads with a focus on group therapy and educational documentation.

Challenges of switching to a school SLP job

Switching from a clinical setting to a school-based SLP job may come with a number of challenges. These include:

• Adapting to a new client population: Clinical SLPs typically work with a broad age range and various disorders, while school SLPs focus specifically on children with communication issues that affect their educational performance. This transition requires adjusting to the unique developmental and educational needs of children.
• Navigating educational environments: School SLPs must adapt to working within an education system. They must understand and integrate with school schedules, curricula, and educational standards, which contrasts with the more medically oriented settings of clinical practice.
• Managing larger caseloads: School SLPs often manage larger caseloads than clinical SLPs. This can include working with multiple students in group settings and addressing a range of communication disorders within the constraints of the school day.
• Collaborating with educators: In a school setting, SLPs work closely with teachers, special education staff, and school administrators, requiring effective collaboration to support students’ academic and social needs. This involves adjusting communication styles and approaches compared to interacting with healthcare professionals.
• Focussing on education goals: School SLPs need to develop and implement therapy goals that align with students’ educational objectives and individual education programs, which can differ from the health-oriented goals of clinical settings.
• Navigating bureaucracy: School SLPs need to become familiar with educational laws and regulations, such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and manage extensive documentation and reporting related to students’ progress and compliance.  

Benefits of switching to a school SLP job

While the transition from a clinical to a school setting can be challenging for SLPs, the switch also comes with a wide range of benefits. Some of these include:

• Regular hours and schedule: School SLPs typically enjoy a more predictable schedule, often aligning with the school calendar, including holiday and summer breaks. This can offer a better work-life balance compared to the potentially irregular hours of clinical settings.
• Impact on academic success: SLPs that work in a school setting directly contribute to students’ educational achievements and personal development. By helping students improve their communication skills, SLPs have a lasting impact on their academic performance and social interactions.
• Focus on prevention and early intervention: School SLPs often engage in early intervention and prevention, helping students with emerging issues before they become more severe. This proactive approach can be fulfilling and lead to significant long-term benefits for students.
• Educational environment: The school setting can be both stimulating and dynamic, providing opportunities to engage with students in various classroom settings and contribute to a positive and supportive educational atmosphere.
• Professional development opportunities: Schools often offer training and professional development focussed on educational practices and special education, which can broaden an SLP’s skills and knowledge in different aspects of therapy and education.

Making the switch

If you think a career as a school-based SLP is right for you, explore our current opportunities for remote School SLP jobs to get a better understanding of what the roles entail. Or, if you have further questions about switching from a clinical to a school setting, contact us to learn more.