Who Exactly Are We?

Back in November 2012, an early blog post of mine proclaimed "I am a speech-language pathologist ". I talked about what we do in the field, and what I  hope to do through the work years still to come, but - little emphasis was placed on what makes an effective speech-language pathologist. I know how I became me, but - am I the right kind of me for this work? I set out to look and look for what others say makes an effective SLP, and what else makes the field alive for me.

One source document on this topic comes from my employer (Schmidt 2014). Here are the categories they attribute to persons having success as clinical SLP's, with some abridgements and annotations:

1. Compassion
2. Creativity
3. Enthusiasm
4. Intelligence
5. Persistence*
6. Adaptability*
7. Resourcefulness*
8. Versatility*
9. Proactive approach*
10. Team spirit*
11.  Innovativeness*
12. Stellar interpersonal skills

The skill set items marked with an asterisk (*) are not only for  persons who are trained in the fields, but also are those personality characteristics that may yield greater success in the work site. For example, a persistent SLP comes back to the person needing swallowing treatment, after five preceding attempts to conduct the visit has been thwarted by the visit of another therapist, bathroom needs, interruption from a CNA or volunteer, etc.  This makes us a profession in the world, but not necessarily of it.

Do I measure up to the demands of my own workplace? I come back again and again to help meet the patients' needs. I have much still to learn from them. When barriers arise to meet a plan of care, I try something else to meet the goal. I will find the tools I need to get the job done. I can do many things during the workday; I am a generalist. I think ahead for the needs of the patient, and I am ready for whatever they need. I can not do all the work the patient needs by myself - but I will support my peers in doing so, together. I will help everyone helping this patient, in new and different ways. Is that enough?

ASHA has additional attributes or 'traits' of the successful SLP of the future. they include (also annotated):

1. Teachable
2. Strong ethics*
3. Good communication skills
4. Capable technologically*
5. Conversant with good business practice*
6. Entrepreneurship*
7. Social consciousness*
8. Civility*
9. Objectivity
10. Analytic ability
11. Patience*
12. System advocacy*
13. Positive*
14. Strong values*

Once again, the asterisk signifies the skill set that does not strictly come out of academic training. These skills may contribute to your successful completion of academic training, but more often they are catalysts of success outside the preserve setting. So, I strive to do what is right. I war daily with tablet and phone. I keep in mind, how making sure my employer, helps assure I am paid. Can I close the sale? Yes. Do I sell a service that contributes to a better world? Yes. May I accomplish this in a way that respects all those involved? Can I be ready to do my work, when everyone else involved is? Do I have the skills to influence the human service system? Is my gaze forward and up? Since these are only "traits" of the ideal future SLP - not including the knowledge and skills that will be required, I must ask again - is this enough?

Lubinsky (2002) compiled still another list, "The Making of a Good Speech Therapist", for the Council of Graduate Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders. The successful employee has:

1. Report writing skills
2. Good verbal skills*
3. Ability to relate well with clients and Co workers*
4. Organization and Time Management Skills*
5. Professionalism*
6. Knowledge of Tests
7. Knowledge of Disorders
8. Shows Creativity and Flexibility*
9. Establishes proper Goals*
10. Accept Criticism and Direction*

This third and final compendium includes more behaviors that are a direct result of formal CSD training; still, those items marked indicate job skills desired of successful applicants, that either come with the student to training, or that are grown through preservice training. In this scenario, I have to ask of myself: Can I communicate well "on my feet"? Can I establish a comfort level with people I serve, and with those working with me? Do I use my time wisely during the treatment day? Am I devoted to the bottom line of the work? Can I find approaches to a problem that work, if the primary approach does not? Can I help my patient pace her/his work toward improving function? Do I benefit from mentorship and guidance to meet the patient's and the organization's goals?

With only three perspectives examined, it seems there is a dichotomy between the skills born out of the didactic experience (classwork, university clinic) and the field experience (externship, CF, and early employment years); The didactic skills are built from more distinct hierarchies of knowledge, than are the field experiences: some emerge from cycles of human development prior to professional training, and others are grown best in the workplace. With all the skill sets an SLP professional should have in today's marketplace, I think we all had better get a good night's sleep.