Telehealth Speech Therapy: 7 Secrets No One Tells You About Job Security

3 hours ago
2 min read

This post is all about Telehealth Speech therapy.

As a tele-health speech therapist for the past 6 years, I have learned a few things that you should consider before entering this part of the field (some good and some bad). Also I have come across some helpful resources that will make your life easier in telehealth speech therapy. I will share all of the above with you today!

Telehealth Speech Therapists Cost More | Telehealth Speech Therapy

A virtual speech therapy job is more costly for the companies than an in-person speech therapist. Because they are contracted through a third party, they have to pay the third party to find the candidate and they have to pay them more, especially if they are a 1099. This is in exchange for not offering benefits.

Building Rapport is Harder | Telehealth Speech Therapy

Sometimes, in order to maintain a job you need a good working relationship with your coworkers, staff members and your boss. This is harder when you are a telehealth therapist because you work remotely. You don't have the little moments of passing each other in a hallway, sitting through in person meetings together, lunch breaks or company events.

Teachers Complain | Telehealth Speech Therapy

Teachers want in person speech therapists. Sometimes they don't understand the value of someone providing virtual speech therapy services, so it's important to meet with them and provide value in the classroom setting.

Parents Complain | Telehealth Speech Therapy

The same complaints that teachers have, parents have too. It is important to add value to their home situation as well.

Less Effective Therapy | Telehealth Speech Therapy

Telehealth speech therapists hear about the therapy being less effective. I have not seen the studies to prove this but here is what I have experienced. For articulation, particularly the S sound it is difficult over zoom. Sometimes zoom clears out background noise (aka sloshy S sounds) so I need someone to send an actual recording over to me. This is a case where I think tele-health is not as effective. However, for people on the spectrum, I have seen immense gains over in person therapy. There is something safe and comforting about not having a stare at a 3d human face while absorbing information (if I had to take my best guess as to why)

Loyalty Goes Both Ways | Telehealth Speech Therapy

For both the in person therapist and the management, I feel there is a stronger bond, a stronger sense of loyalty. I work in small towns the in person speech therapists are cousins of the management, have been babysat by the teachers and are an active member of the community both inside and outside of the school. It is hard to compete with that as a tele-health therapist, even if your credentials on paper and therapy in practice are higher and more effective.

SLPA's Are Cheaper | Telehealth Speech Therapy

I have noticed a trend of SLPA's especially in California being used over certified SLP's, especially in the rural towns where the options are limited.