Speech Pathologist Resume Examples for 2024

Jump to a template:

Speech Pathologist

Get advice on each section of your resume:

Summary

Experience

Education

Skills

Jump to a resource:

Speech Pathologist Resume Tips

Keywords

Google Docs Template #1

Speech Pathologist Resume Sample

A speech pathologist evaluates a patient’s problem, so they can provide a specialized treatment plan to improve their communicational fluency. Depending on the patients’ needs, they will guide them through vocal cord exercises to treat speech disorders or strengthen the muscles used for swallowing. It is essential to highlight your speech therapy techniques on your resume, such as tongue exercises, sensory feedback, and articulation speech therapy.

Buy Template (Word + Google Docs) Download Resume in PDF

Screenshot

Text Version

A speech pathologist resume template including relevant achievements.

Tips to help you write your Speech Pathologist resume in 2024

Highlight your SLP license.

Your license, certification, or registration should be one of the first things recruiters see when scanning your resume. Since this is a government requirement, it is important to demonstrate that you are accredited and have permission to be an SLP practitioner.

Indicate your familiarity with SLP software.

It’s also a good idea to mention your familiarity with clinical tools, such as SLP software that helps you keep track of patients’ progress and provide therapy or exercises. One of the most popular tools for this is Aphasia Tutor which helps therapists provide speech exercises and monitor patients’ performance.

Also see: How To Say Basic Knowledge on a Resume

Indicate your familiarity with SLP software. - Speech Pathologist Resume

Expand

Speech Pathologist Resume Tips

As a hiring manager who has worked with companies like Encompass Health, Genesis Rehab Services, and HealthPRO Heritage, I've reviewed countless resumes for speech pathologist positions. The following tips will help your resume stand out and demonstrate your qualifications effectively to potential employers.

Highlight your clinical experience

Employers want to see the depth and breadth of your clinical experience as a speech pathologist. Focus on highlighting your work in various settings, such as:

Conducted speech and language evaluations for 20+ patients per week in a hospital setting
Provided therapy to 15 children with autism spectrum disorders in a school-based program
Managed a caseload of 30 patients in a skilled nursing facility, focusing on dysphagia treatment

Quantify your experience whenever possible to give hiring managers a clear picture of your capabilities and the impact you've made in previous roles.

Bullet Point Samples for Speech Pathologist

Expand

Showcase your specializations and certifications

Speech pathologists often specialize in certain areas or obtain additional certifications. Make sure to highlight these on your resume, as they can set you apart from other candidates. For example:

Certified in LSVT LOUD for treating voice disorders in Parkinson's disease patients
Specialization in pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders, having treated 50+ children
Trained in the use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices

By showcasing your unique skills and certifications, you demonstrate your expertise and commitment to professional development in the field.

Emphasize your collaboration and leadership skills

Speech pathologists often work as part of a multidisciplinary team and may take on leadership roles. Highlight your collaboration and leadership experience on your resume:

Collaborated with occupational therapists and physical therapists to develop comprehensive treatment plans for 20+ patients
Led a team of 5 speech pathologists in implementing a new dysphagia screening protocol, resulting in a 30% reduction in aspiration pneumonia cases
Mentored 3 graduate students during their clinical placements, providing guidance and feedback

Demonstrating your ability to work effectively with others and take on leadership responsibilities can make you a more attractive candidate to potential employers.

Include relevant volunteer experience and community involvement

Volunteer experience and community involvement related to speech pathology can strengthen your resume and show your dedication to the field. Include experiences such as:

Volunteered at a local stroke support group, providing communication strategies to 20+ survivors and their caregivers
Participated in a community health fair, conducting hearing and speech screenings for 50+ children
Served on the planning committee for a state speech-language-hearing association conference, attracting 300+ attendees

These experiences demonstrate your passion for the profession and your willingness to go above and beyond in serving your community.

Tailor your resume to the specific job posting

When applying for a speech pathologist position, it's essential to tailor your resume to the specific job requirements. Avoid using a generic resume that fails to highlight the skills and experiences most relevant to the position, like:

Listing every clinical placement without emphasizing the most relevant experiences
Failing to mention specific skills or populations mentioned in the job posting

Instead, customize your resume to showcase how your qualifications align with the employer's needs:

Highlighting your experience working with a specific population, such as geriatric patients, if the job focuses on that area
Emphasizing your expertise in a particular treatment approach, like PROMPT, if it's mentioned in the job description

By tailoring your resume, you demonstrate your attention to detail and show the employer that you're a strong fit for the position.

Use clear and concise language

When writing your speech pathologist resume, use clear and concise language that effectively communicates your qualifications. Avoid using overly complex terminology or jargon that may be difficult for hiring managers outside the field to understand.

Instead, focus on using simple, direct language that highlights your achievements and experiences:

Developed and implemented individualized treatment plans for 25+ patients with voice disorders, resulting in an average improvement of 50% in vocal quality and function.

By using clear and concise language, you ensure that your resume is easy to read and understand, increasing the likelihood that hiring managers will recognize your qualifications and consider you for the position.

Writing Your Speech Pathologist Resume: Section By Section

Summary

A resume summary for a Speech Pathologist is an optional section that provides a brief overview of your professional background, key skills, and career goals. While not required, a well-crafted summary can grab the attention of hiring managers and showcase your unique value proposition. Avoid using an objective statement, as it focuses on your needs rather than how you can contribute to the organization.

When writing your Speech Pathologist resume summary, focus on highlighting your most relevant qualifications, such as your experience working with specific populations or your expertise in particular treatment methods. Keep it concise, typically no more than 3-4 sentences, and tailor it to the specific job you're applying for.

How to write a resume summary if you are applying for a Speech Pathologist resume

Expand

1. Highlight your specialties and target population

As a Speech Pathologist, you likely have experience working with specific populations or disorders. Highlighting this in your summary can help you stand out to employers who are looking for someone with your particular expertise.

Here's an example of what not to do:

Experienced Speech Pathologist seeking a challenging position in a healthcare setting.

Instead, try something like this:

Certified Speech-Language Pathologist with 5+ years of experience working with pediatric patients to assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, and swallowing disorders. Specializing in early intervention and parent education.

Tailor your summary to each job application by reviewing the job description and incorporating relevant keywords and requirements. Our Targeted Resume tool can help you optimize your resume for a specific job posting.

2. Emphasize your key accomplishments and impact

Your summary is a great place to highlight your most impressive achievements and the impact you've had in previous roles. Quantify your accomplishments whenever possible to make them more concrete and compelling.

Results-driven Speech Pathologist with a proven track record of improving patient outcomes. Developed and implemented innovative treatment plans that increased patient satisfaction scores by 25% and reduced time to discharge by 15%. Skilled in collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive care.

Notice how this summary not only mentions the candidate's achievements but also provides specific metrics to illustrate their impact. This helps create a more vivid picture of their contributions and value.

After crafting your summary, run your resume through our Score My Resume tool to get instant feedback on how well it showcases your accomplishments and aligns with hiring manager preferences.

Experience

The work experience section is the backbone of your speech pathologist resume. It's where you showcase your clinical expertise, patient outcomes, and career progression. Highlight your most relevant experiences and accomplishments to make a strong case for your candidacy.

1. Use strong speech pathology verbs

When describing your speech pathology experience, use powerful action verbs that convey your clinical skills and impact. Consider verbs like:

Assessed and diagnosed speech, language, and swallowing disorders
Developed and implemented individualized treatment plans
Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to coordinate patient care
Educated patients and families on communication strategies and exercises

These specific verbs paint a clearer picture of your responsibilities and expertise compared to generic phrases like "responsible for" or "worked on."

Expand

Align your action verbs with the job description. If the role emphasizes dysphagia management, highlight your experience "conducting swallow evaluations" and "recommending diet modifications."

2. Quantify your accomplishments with metrics

To make your resume more impactful, quantify your achievements whenever possible. Metrics help employers understand the scope and significance of your work. For example:

Managed a caseload of 50+ patients with diverse communication disorders
Achieved 95% patient satisfaction scores based on post-therapy surveys
Reduced average time from evaluation to treatment by 20% through efficient scheduling

Numbers jump off the page and make your resume more memorable. If you don't have exact metrics, provide reasonable estimates.

Use our Score My Resume tool to get instant feedback on your resume's use of metrics and other key criteria hiring managers look for.

3. Showcase your expertise with speech pathology tools

Highlight your proficiency with the tools and technologies used in speech pathology. This shows employers you have the technical skills to hit the ground running. For instance:

Conducted VFSSs and FEES to assess swallowing function
Utilized AAC devices and apps to support non-verbal communication
Administered standardized assessments like BDAE and CELF

On the flip side, avoid vague descriptions that could apply to any speech pathologist:

Used various assessment tools to evaluate patients
Worked with AAC devices to help patients communicate

The more specific you are about the tools you've used, the stronger your resume will be.

Make sure you're targeting the right keywords. Run your resume through our Targeted Resume tool to see if it includes the skills and keywords from the job description.

4. Highlight promotions and leadership experience

If you've been promoted or taken on leadership roles, make sure that's clear in your work experience section. Promotions are a great way to show career progression and indicate that you've excelled in your previous roles. For example:

Senior Speech Language Pathologist, XYZ Hospital, 2018-Present
Speech Language Pathologist, XYZ Hospital, 2015-2018

Similarly, if you've supervised SLP assistants, led trainings, or served on committees, those leadership experiences deserve to be highlighted. They demonstrate your ability to take on additional responsibility and contribute to your field.

Emphasize the skills and accomplishments that led to your promotion. What allowed you to rise to that senior role? Spelling that out makes your advancement even more impressive.

Education

Your education section is a crucial part of your speech pathologist resume. It shows employers that you have the necessary qualifications and training to excel in this role. Here are some key tips to help you craft a compelling education section that will catch the attention of hiring managers.

1. Highlight your speech pathology degree

As a speech pathologist, your degree is one of your most valuable assets. Make sure to prominently feature your speech pathology degree in your education section.

Include the full name of your degree, the university you attended, and the year you graduated. If you graduated with honors or achieved a high GPA, consider including that information as well.

Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Graduated: May 2020
GPA: 3.8

If you have multiple degrees, list them in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent degree.

2. Include relevant coursework and clinical experience

In addition to your degree, employers want to see that you have hands-on experience and knowledge in speech pathology. If you're a recent graduate or have limited work experience, highlight relevant coursework and clinical experience in your education section.

Examples of relevant coursework for speech pathologists include:

Phonetics and phonology
Language disorders
Neuroanatomy and neurophysiology
Audiology

You can also mention any clinical practicums, internships, or externships you completed as part of your education. This shows employers that you have practical experience working with patients.

Keep your coursework and clinical experience brief and relevant. Only include courses and experiences that directly relate to speech pathology.

3. List certifications and licenses

In most states, speech pathologists need to be licensed to practice. If you have your license, make sure to include it in your education section.

You should also list any certifications you've earned, such as the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist, State of California
Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP), ASHA

If you're still working towards your license or certification, you can mention that you're eligible for or pursuing it.

Keep your certifications and licenses up to date, and make sure to include the most current information on your resume.

4. Focus on your most recent education

If you're a mid-career or senior-level speech pathologist, your education section should be brief and focused on your most recent and relevant education.

Here's an example of what to avoid:

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, 2005-2009
Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology, University of Washington, 2009-2011
Doctor of Philosophy in Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, 2011-2016

Instead, focus on your most advanced and relevant degree:

Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University

If you have a doctorate or other advanced degree, there's no need to list your bachelor's degree in your education section.

Skills

Your skills section is one of the most important parts of your speech pathologist resume. It's where you showcase your expertise and qualifications to potential employers. Here are some tips to help you create a compelling skills section that will catch the attention of hiring managers and help you land your dream job.

1. Highlight your specialized speech therapy skills

When crafting your skills section, focus on the specialized skills that are most relevant to speech pathology. This could include:

Fluency disorders treatment
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)
Dysphagia management
Articulation therapy
Language intervention strategies

By highlighting these specific skills, you demonstrate to employers that you have the expertise they're looking for in a speech pathologist. Avoid listing generic skills like 'communication' or 'problem-solving' that could apply to any job seeker.

To ensure you're including the right skills, analyze job descriptions for speech pathologist roles you're interested in. Look for frequently mentioned skills and incorporate them into your resume. Resume Worded's Targeted Resume tool can help you check if your resume has the right skills and keywords to match a specific job description.

2. Use industry-specific terminology

Incorporating industry-specific terminology in your skills section helps demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in the field. For example:

Fluent in American Sign Language (ASL)
Experienced in administering standardized assessments (e.g., CELF-5, GFTA-3)
Proficient in using speech therapy software (e.g., Boardmaker, Proloquo2Go)

Compare this to a skills section that uses generic language:

Sign language
Assessments
Computer skills

The industry-specific terminology helps you stand out as a qualified speech pathologist, while the generic language could apply to any job seeker.

Stay up-to-date with the latest terminology and trends in speech pathology by reading industry publications, attending conferences, and participating in professional development courses. This will help you identify key terms to include in your skills section.

3. Tailor your skills to the job description

Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes based on specific keywords and skills. To increase your chances of passing through ATS and landing an interview, tailor your skills section to the job description.

For example, if a job description emphasizes experience with pediatric speech therapy, make sure to highlight your skills in this area:

Expertise in pediatric speech and language assessments
Skilled in developing individualized treatment plans for children with speech delays
Experienced in collaborating with parents and teachers to support child's progress

By tailoring your skills to the specific job, you demonstrate to employers that you're a strong fit for the role.

When tailoring your skills section, prioritize the skills that are most important for the role. Don't simply copy and paste the job description into your resume. Instead, use your own words to describe your relevant skills and experiences.

4. Categorize your speech pathology skills

Grouping your skills into categories can help make your skills section more organized and easier to read. For example:

Assessment Skills: Administering and interpreting standardized assessments, informal assessments, case history taking
Treatment Skills: Articulation therapy, language intervention, fluency disorders treatment, voice disorders treatment
Specialized Skills: Dysphagia management, AAC, pediatric feeding therapy, bilingual speech therapy (Spanish)

By categorizing your skills, you make it easier for hiring managers to quickly identify your key areas of expertise. This is especially important if you have a wide range of skills or experience in multiple settings (e.g., schools, hospitals, private practice).

Consider using a skills section format that includes proficiency levels (e.g., expert, proficient, familiar) to provide more context about your abilities. For example: 'Dysphagia Management (Expert)'. However, only include proficiency levels if you can back them up with specific examples or certifications.

Skills For Speech Pathologist Resumes

Here are examples of popular skills from Speech Pathologist job descriptions that you can include on your resume.

Nonprofit Organizations
Mental Health
Case Management
Cardiac Rehabilitation
Hospitals
Mental Health Counseling
Rehabilitation
Fitness
Crisis Intervention
Exercise Prescription

Match Your Resume To These Skills

Skills Word Cloud For Speech Pathologist Resumes

This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on Speech Pathologist job descriptions and resumes. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more likely you should include it in your resume.

Top Speech Pathologist Skills and Keywords to Include On Your Resume

For more skills, visit Speech Pathologist Skills & Keywords.

Turn your career into a rocketship. In 5 minutes a week.

Get a free bi-weekly coaching email from a $750/hour career coach. Get proven strategies on how to unlock your career's potential, meet VIPs in your industry and turn your career into a rocketship.

No fluff. No noise. Join the 1.2+ million professionals who are getting ahead in their careers, for free.

"I've 3x'd my salary in just two years. My friends think I'm smart (I'm not). Resume Worded's Coached email series is my secret weapon to trick them though. It's working wonderfully. Try it."
- A Coached Reader