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After obtaining a degree graduate students participate in
clinical fellowships. During these thirty-six-week fellowship pro-
grams graduates work full time with mentors to gain professional
experience. Eighty percent of the time is spent assessing pa-
tients and making diagnoses, and screening, treating, and coun-
seling clients.
After completing the clinical fellowship, speech therapists
must obtain a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-
Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). This is issued by the Coun-
cil on Academic Accreditation, which is part of the American
Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Most employers require
this certification. Every state requires speech therapists to be li-
censed, and obtaining a CCC-SLP satisfies some or all of the re-
quirements for licensure. Speech therapists who work in schools
often need teaching certificates.
Personality and Skills
Like other health care professionals, sports speech therapists
need to have a great deal of compassion. They often work with
athletes who need emotional support to deal with the frustration
that accompanies their disorders. Communication skills are vital,
since sports speech therapists need to clearly explain test results,
propose treatments, and conduct therapeutic exercises. Sports
speech therapists also need to be good listeners so they can
understand a patient’s symptoms and concerns. Good critical-
thinking and analytical skills help sports speech therapists select
proper diagnostic tools and adjust a patient’s treatment plans.
Working Conditions
Sports speech therapists work in a variety of settings including
schools, clinics, health care facilities, and in private practice. They
might also work with athletes at training facilities and sports ven-
ues. Most work forty hours per week, but those who contract with
sports teams might spend a substantial amount of time traveling.
