Speech-Language Pathologists

SOC 29-1127.00Job Zone 5 · Extensive Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers Speech-Language Pathologists practicing across acute hospital, outpatient clinic, school-based, and multi-site healthcare settings, from supervised clinical entry through executive program leadership.

Sources:O*NET v30.2 SkillsCrosswalk

Emerging

Entry / Apprentice

Standardized speech and language assessment tools — administer under clinical supervision to collect baseline data on type and degree of patient impairments in a supervised clinical or school setting.
Barium swallow results and audiological screening outcomes — interpret with supervisor guidance to support initial differential diagnosis of swallowing or communication disorders.
Initial client evaluation reports — draft using approved documentation templates under direct oversight to meet Medicaid, IEP, or billing compliance requirements.
Evidence-based treatment protocols for common disorders such as stuttering or delayed language — implement under senior clinician direction in structured therapy sessions.
Patient progress data — record and flag observable changes to supervising pathologists during routine monitoring intervals in an outpatient or school-based setting.
Communication strategies and home-practice techniques — explain to patients and family members using plain language under supervisory review in a clinical intake or counseling session.
Medical and psychosocial background information — gather through structured intake interviews and case-file review to inform the diagnostic process under direction.
Therapy team communications — participate in collaborative case discussions and transcribe meeting notes for IEP or intervention assistance team records.
Medical software and electronic health record systems — enter and retrieve patient session data accurately following established data-entry protocols in a healthcare or school environment.
Professional literature and clinical guidelines — read and summarize to support evidence-based practice decisions under faculty or senior pathologist mentorship.

Developing

Mid-level / Established

Comprehensive speech, language, and fluency evaluations — conduct and score independently, synthesizing written and oral test results and clinical observations to formulate working diagnoses in outpatient or school contexts.
Individualized treatment plans for disorders including voice disorders, fluency impairments, and dysphagia — develop and implement based on own assessment findings and multidisciplinary team input with minimal oversight.
Patient progress trajectories — monitor across a full caseload, adjusting therapy targets and session intensity in response to measurable outcomes in a community clinic or hospital-based setting.
Clinical documentation including progress notes, discharge summaries, and billing records — produce accurately and on schedule to satisfy regulatory and institutional requirements.
IEP meetings, in-service sessions, and intervention assistance team conferences — contribute professional findings and written reports as a full participating member of the educational or clinical team.
Patient and family education programs — design and deliver covering communication strategies, compensatory swallowing techniques, and disorder management within a multidisciplinary care framework.
Analytical or scientific software and medical platforms — use routinely to analyze acoustic or physiological data and generate diagnostic reports in clinical or research-adjacent environments.
Critical thinking and inductive reasoning — apply to interpret ambiguous or complex case presentations, selecting among competing diagnostic hypotheses with growing confidence.
Caseload scheduling and time management — coordinate independently across multiple patient populations, balancing direct therapy, documentation, and team meeting obligations in high-demand settings.
Emerging clinical staff and practicum students — orient to assessment tools, therapy protocols, and documentation standards under the general guidance of a supervising pathologist.

Proficient

Senior / Expert IC

Complex, multi-factorial speech and language disorders including neurogenic communication impairments and severe dysphagia — diagnose and treat autonomously by integrating barium swallow results, instrumental assessments, and comprehensive case histories in acute hospital or specialty clinic settings.
Non-routine treatment challenges such as co-occurring disorders or treatment-resistant fluency conditions — resolve by designing individualized, evidence-grounded intervention plans that draw on psychological, medical, and sociological perspectives.
Full caseload outcomes — monitor systematically using analytical software and data review cycles, modifying treatment plans proactively to optimize functional gains across diverse patient populations.
Multidisciplinary team leadership in IEP meetings, care conferences, and intervention assistance teams — assume, producing authoritative written and verbal reports that drive team decision-making.
Voice, resonance, and swallowing disorder programs — develop and continuously refine for a clinical department or school district, incorporating current research into protocol design.
Patients and families facing rare or highly complex communication conditions — counsel with empathy and precision, calibrating explanations to health literacy levels and cultural contexts in long-term care or specialized outpatient environments.
Medical software, acoustic analysis tools, and cloud-based data-sharing platforms — integrate fluidly into daily clinical workflow to ensure diagnostic precision and inter-professional data continuity.
Systems-level analysis of service delivery gaps — conduct within an assigned program, identifying barriers to patient access and recommending structured process improvements.
Graduate-level practicum students and clinical fellows — supervise and evaluate against professional competency standards throughout full-year placements in accredited healthcare or educational settings.
Professional development curricula on specialized topics such as augmentative communication or pediatric feeding disorders — design and deliver to interprofessional audiences in continuing education or in-service formats.

Advanced

Lead / Principal / Executive

Organizational vision and strategic direction for speech-language pathology services — set across a hospital system, school district, or multi-site practice, aligning program goals with institutional, regulatory, and population-health priorities.
Department-wide clinical quality standards and outcome benchmarking systems — establish and govern, using data from electronic health records and analytical platforms to drive evidence-based policy across the full practitioner team.
Advanced research initiatives and grant-funded studies on communication disorders, swallowing function, or treatment efficacy — lead or serve as principal investigator, translating findings into publishable literature and updated clinical guidelines.
Mentorship pipelines for early-career pathologists and clinical fellows — architect at the organizational level, embedding competency-based evaluation frameworks and formal professional development pathways.
Cross-functional partnerships with physicians, psychologists, educators, and administrators — lead at the executive or program-director level to integrate speech-language pathology into comprehensive, patient-centered care models.
Legislative, accreditation, and ethical standards governing clinical practice and documentation — interpret and implement organization-wide, ensuring full compliance and serving as the institutional subject-matter authority.
Complex public health or system-level communication disorder challenges — address through policy advocacy, community outreach programs, and inter-agency collaboration that extend the profession's societal impact.
Organizational adoption of emerging technologies including AI-assisted diagnostic tools, telehealth platforms, and computer-based training software — champion and evaluate, shaping institutional readiness and staff capability.
High-stakes, precedent-setting clinical cases involving ethical dilemmas or novel presentations — provide expert consultative judgment that informs not only individual patient care but broader institutional protocols.
Next-generation professional training programs at university affiliates or residency sites — co-design with academic partners, ensuring alignment between graduate-level curriculum and the evolving competency demands of the occupation.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic Index Jadhav & Danve, 2026 WEF Skills Taxonomy

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Authoritative source data identified for 998 occupations

How a worker at each mastery level uses, directs, and evaluates AI tools in this occupation. Each statement cites its evidence inline; click a citation chip to verify the source.

Emerging

AI-assisted documentation drafting — uses an AI writing tool to generate first-draft progress notes and evaluation summaries, then reviews and corrects clinical details before finalizing records Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
Terminology lookup support — queries an AI assistant for definitions of diagnostic terms or ICD codes encountered in referral reports, cross-checking outputs against clinical references WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..

Developing

Report generation with clinical oversight — directs an AI tool to structure evaluation findings into formatted reports, retaining full authorship of diagnostic interpretations and treatment rationale Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
Literature-informed treatment planning — uses an AI assistant to surface evidence-based intervention options for specific disorders (e.g., stuttering, dysphagia), then applies clinical judgment to select and adapt approaches for individual clients Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
Caseload documentation efficiency — leverages AI to batch-process routine billing narratives and Medicaid documentation fields, reducing clerical time while personally verifying accuracy of every clinical claim Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..

Proficient

Differential diagnosis support — presents patient assessment data to an AI assistant to cross-check diagnostic hypotheses against known disorder profiles, then reconciles AI output with direct observation, barium swallow results, and standardized test scores Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
Individualized treatment plan drafting — instructs an AI tool to draft goal statements and intervention sequences based on assessment summaries, then edits outputs to reflect the patient's functional communication environment and family priorities WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
Progress monitoring synthesis — feeds session notes and outcome measure scores into an AI assistant to identify trends across the caseload, using the aggregated output to inform data-driven adjustments to therapy targets Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
Interdisciplinary communication — uses AI to adapt clinical findings into lay-language summaries for patients, caregivers, and non-SLP team members, reviewing every output for accuracy and appropriate scope WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..

Advanced

Workflow architecture for AI-assisted practice — designs clinic-wide protocols specifying which documentation, screening, and reporting tasks are delegated to AI tools versus reserved for clinician judgment, grounded in the occupation's Q2 augmented-skill profile Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
Critical evaluation of AI diagnostic outputs — audits AI-generated diagnostic suggestions against the full clinical picture—including social-perceptiveness observations from direct patient interaction—and trains colleagues to identify and correct systematic errors in AI outputs Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
Adaptive AI handoff calibration — benchmarks the time savings achievable through AI-assisted documentation against observed accuracy rates, adjusting delegation boundaries as AI tool capabilities evolve and maintaining accountability for all clinical decisions Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..

Evidence pack

AEI usage: Task observations: 74
Augment share: 7.4%
Time saved: 67%
AI autonomy: 3.46
SAFI positioning: Top skill: Reading Comprehension
Score: 45.5 / 100
Quadrant: Q2_ai_augmented
precision: exact
WEF cluster: Human-Technology Interaction
human_technology_interaction

Sources:Anthropic Economic Index WEF Skills Taxonomy Jadhav & Danve, 2026

Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework

Sources:Pathsmith Durable Skills O*NET v30.2

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Ten durable-skill domains mapped to four proficiency/role levels for each occupation. Each statement is aligned to the Pathsmith taxonomy, derived from trusted grounding data and mapped to occupation-specific O*NET tasks and skills.

1Communication10 statements

Emerging

Patient intake communication — elicits presenting concerns through structured interview while maintaining empathetic rapport with clients and caregivers Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Diagnostic reporting — drafts basic written summaries of speech and language evaluation findings using clinical terminology O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.

Developing

Family education delivery — explains communication disorders, treatment rationale, and home-practice strategies to caregivers using plain language Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
IEP participation — articulates client progress and goal recommendations verbally during individualized educational planning team meetings O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Clinical documentation — writes accurate and complete progress notes, billing records, and discharge summaries with growing precision O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.

Applying

Multidisciplinary communication — conveys assessment findings and treatment updates clearly to physicians, psychologists, and social workers in collaborative care settings Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Evaluation report authorship — produces comprehensive, evidence-based written evaluations of speech, language, fluency, voice, and swallowing disorders that guide treatment planning O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Therapeutic instruction — delivers explicit, sequenced verbal instruction tailored to each client's cognitive, linguistic, and developmental level Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.

Exceeding

Professional knowledge dissemination — presents clinical findings, program outcomes, or best-practice frameworks to professional audiences through conference presentations or in-service trainings Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Systems-level reporting — authors policy documents, program evaluation reports, or grant narratives that communicate SLP program impact to administrative and funding stakeholders Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.

2Leadership9 statements

Emerging

Therapy team awareness — observes supervision interactions and begins to understand the SLP's role in directing paraprofessionals and clinical fellows Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Self-directed caseload initiation — takes ownership of assigned client cases by proactively seeking guidance and organizing treatment materials Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.

Developing

Paraprofessional guidance — provides direction and task delegation to speech-language pathology assistants within sanctioned supervisory scope O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
IEP team contribution — advocates for client communication needs and influences team decisions during multidisciplinary educational planning meetings O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.

Applying

Therapy team supervision — oversees and evaluates the clinical performance of assistants and clinical fellows, adjusting supervisory approach to each supervisee's developmental stage Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Treatment program leadership — designs, implements, and adjusts comprehensive intervention programs for complex caseloads including stuttering, swallowing, and language disorders O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Interdisciplinary team leadership — coordinates care planning across physicians, educators, and allied health professionals, assuming accountability for communication-domain outcomes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.

Exceeding

Department or program leadership — establishes clinical standards, policies, and quality benchmarks for SLP services within a school district, hospital, or private practice Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Mentor-clinician role — guides early-career SLPs and clinical fellows through structured mentorship, modeling ethical reasoning, evidence-based decision-making, and professional identity development Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.

3Metacognition8 statements

Emerging

Diagnostic self-monitoring — identifies gaps in personal knowledge of assessment instruments and seeks targeted learning to address them Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Session reflection — reviews therapy session outcomes against planned objectives to identify personal performance strengths and areas for improvement Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.

Developing

Treatment-planning awareness — evaluates own clinical reasoning process when selecting intervention approaches for fluency, voice, or swallowing disorders to detect biases or knowledge gaps Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Learning strategy selection — applies deliberate study methods—such as case review, peer consultation, or simulation—to consolidate emerging clinical competencies Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.

Applying

Evidence integration monitoring — tracks the currency of personal clinical knowledge against evolving SLP research and adjusts practice accordingly Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Caseload complexity calibration — accurately appraises own scope of competence across disorder types and proactively seeks supervision or referral when client needs exceed current expertise Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.

Exceeding

Reflective practice modeling — makes metacognitive reasoning explicit when supervising clinical fellows, demonstrating how expert SLPs diagnose their own thinking and correct clinical errors Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Systematic professional development planning — constructs multi-year learning plans aligned to specialty certifications, emerging disorder populations, or leadership goals, evaluating progress against defined milestones Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.

4Critical Thinking9 statements

Emerging

Assessment data interpretation — identifies patterns in standardized test scores and observational data to form initial impressions of speech or language disorder type and severity Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Differential diagnosis awareness — recognizes that overlapping symptom profiles require systematic evidence review before confirming a diagnosis Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.

Developing

Diagnostic reasoning — integrates barium swallow results, audiological findings, medical history, and behavioral observations to distinguish among competing diagnostic hypotheses O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Treatment-approach evaluation — weighs the evidence base, client profile, and resource constraints when selecting among competing intervention frameworks for fluency or voice disorders Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.

Applying

Complex case analysis — synthesizes multi-source clinical data—including physician referrals, psychologist reports, and standardized assessments—to produce well-reasoned diagnostic conclusions for clients with co-occurring disorders Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Treatment response analysis — monitors quantitative and qualitative progress indicators, identifies when expected gains are absent, and adjusts intervention logic with documented rationale O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Ethical dilemma resolution — evaluates competing professional obligations, client autonomy, and institutional constraints to reach defensible clinical and ethical decisions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.

Exceeding

Clinical protocol critique — evaluates existing assessment or treatment protocols against current research evidence and formulates evidence-informed recommendations for program revision Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Systems-level problem analysis — identifies structural barriers—such as referral delays or assessment tool bias—affecting SLP service quality and proposes data-supported solutions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.

5Collaboration9 statements

Emerging

Interdisciplinary team participation — contributes speech-language observations during team meetings and listens actively to input from educators, nurses, and occupational therapists Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Caregiver partnership initiation — engages parents and family members as active participants in the therapeutic process by soliciting their observations and incorporating their priorities Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.

Developing

Co-treatment coordination — coordinates therapy goals and session timing with occupational or physical therapists to deliver integrated treatment for clients with complex needs O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
School-based team collaboration — works alongside general and special education teachers to align communication goals with classroom curricula and IEP objectives O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.

Applying

Multidisciplinary care planning — co-develops and co-implements treatment plans with physicians, psychologists, and social workers, reconciling disciplinary perspectives into a unified client-centered plan Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Conflict navigation in teams — addresses disagreements about treatment priorities or resource allocation within multidisciplinary teams using evidence and constructive dialogue Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Supervisory collaboration — partners with clinical fellows and SLP assistants to deliver consistent, high-quality therapy by establishing clear shared expectations and feedback loops O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.

Exceeding

Cross-agency collaboration — builds formal collaborative relationships across school districts, healthcare systems, and community organizations to create coordinated care pathways for underserved populations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Collaborative practice model development — designs and institutionalizes collaborative care frameworks—such as transdisciplinary feeding teams or AAC consultation models—that improve outcomes across an organization Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.

6Character9 statements

Emerging

Clinical confidentiality — maintains appropriate privacy of client health information in documentation and interprofessional communication in accordance with HIPAA and FERPA standards Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Professional boundary awareness — recognizes and respects the ethical boundaries governing therapeutic relationships with clients and their families Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.

Developing

Scope-of-practice adherence — declines to provide services outside areas of personal competence and pursues appropriate training or referral pathways when client needs exceed current expertise Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Billing and documentation integrity — ensures that Medicaid records, billing codes, and treatment documentation accurately reflect services rendered O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.

Applying

Informed consent practice — provides clients and families with transparent, complete information about assessment results, treatment options, and expected outcomes before initiating services Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Cultural humility in service delivery — recognizes the influence of cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic factors on communication norms and adapts assessment and treatment approaches accordingly Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Accountability for client outcomes — accepts responsibility for therapy quality, documents adverse events or lack of progress honestly, and initiates corrective action without prompting Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.

Exceeding

Ethical leadership in the profession — advocates for equitable access to SLP services, challenges unethical institutional practices, and models professional integrity for colleagues and supervisees Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Professional standards stewardship — contributes to ASHA Code of Ethics application through peer consultation, ethics committee participation, or policy development within the employing organization Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.

7Creativity8 statements

Emerging

Therapy material adaptation — modifies commercially available treatment materials to better engage a specific client's interests, cognitive level, or cultural background Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Novel cueing exploration — experiments with alternative sensory or visual cues when standard articulation or fluency techniques produce insufficient response Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.

Developing

Individualized intervention design — develops customized home practice activities and communication strategies that fit the unique daily routines and goals of each client and family Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
AAC system customization — creatively configures augmentative and alternative communication devices and symbol sets to match a non-speaking client's communication environment and vocabulary needs O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.

Applying

Innovative treatment protocol construction — synthesizes elements from multiple evidence-based approaches to engineer a novel intervention sequence for a client whose disorder profile does not fit standard protocols Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Technology integration — incorporates telepractice platforms, biofeedback software, or mobile applications creatively to extend therapeutic reach and enhance client engagement Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.

Exceeding

Program innovation — conceives and pilots novel service delivery models—such as group dysphagia therapy or parent-implemented language intervention programs—that expand access and improve outcomes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Clinical tool development — creates original assessment instruments, therapy curricula, or training materials that address unmet clinical needs and are disseminated to the broader SLP community Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.

8Growth Mindset9 statements

Emerging

Supervisory feedback receptivity — receives corrective feedback from supervisors on clinical technique or documentation without defensiveness and applies suggested changes in subsequent sessions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Challenge acceptance — approaches unfamiliar disorder types or complex client presentations as learning opportunities rather than threats to clinical confidence Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.

Developing

CEU-driven skill building — pursues continuing education units in emerging specialty areas—such as voice disorders or traumatic brain injury—to extend clinical competence beyond initial training Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Failure analysis — reviews therapy sessions where client progress stalled to identify what intervention variables to modify, treating the setback as diagnostic information Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.

Applying

Evidence-based practice adoption — integrates newly published research findings into active caseload management, revising established routines when evidence supports a superior approach Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Specialty certification pursuit — undertakes structured competency development toward board-recognized specialty certifications in areas such as swallowing and swallowing disorders Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Peer learning engagement — participates in clinical supervision groups, journal clubs, or peer consultation networks to leverage collective knowledge for caseload challenges Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.

Exceeding

Learning culture cultivation — creates structured opportunities for SLP assistants, students, and clinical fellows to take on graduated challenges, debrief failures, and celebrate growth within the clinical setting Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Research-to-practice leadership — translates emerging research into actionable clinical protocols and trains colleagues in their application, bridging the gap between academic advances and frontline practice Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.

9Mindfulness8 statements

Emerging

Emotional regulation in sessions — recognizes personal stress responses during difficult client interactions and applies basic regulation strategies to maintain therapeutic presence Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Attentive observation — sustains focused attention during speech and language evaluations, noting subtle prosodic, articulatory, and fluency features without premature interpretation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.

Developing

Therapeutic presence — maintains deliberate, non-judgmental attention to client verbal and nonverbal communication across full therapy sessions, including with resistant or minimally verbal clients Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Compassion fatigue awareness — recognizes early signs of burnout or secondary traumatic stress from working with clients with severe or progressive disorders and initiates self-care strategies Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.

Applying

Intentional session pacing — regulates the pace and intensity of therapy sessions based on real-time reading of client fatigue, emotional state, and engagement, adjusting stimuli and demands accordingly Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Mindful documentation practice — allocates dedicated, focused time for clinical record-keeping to ensure accuracy and reduce errors rather than completing documentation reactively Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.

Exceeding

Mindful supervision — brings present-moment awareness to supervisory relationships, modeling attentive listening and non-reactive feedback that builds psychological safety for supervisees Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Organizational mindfulness advocacy — promotes mindfulness-informed practice standards within clinical teams, linking attentional regulation and emotional awareness to improved diagnostic accuracy and client outcomes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.

10Fortitude8 statements

Emerging

Persistence with resistant clients — continues structured, goal-directed therapy sessions with clients who demonstrate low motivation or limited initial progress without abandoning the intervention plan Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Uncertainty tolerance — functions productively within the diagnostic ambiguity inherent in early-stage evaluation when disorder classification is not yet clear Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.

Developing

Caseload pressure management — sustains consistent quality of care across high-volume caseloads that include clients with complex, co-occurring disorders and demanding documentation requirements Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Difficult family navigation — maintains professional composure and therapeutic effectiveness when working with highly stressed, skeptical, or grieving caregivers of clients with severe communication disorders Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.

Applying

Long-term treatment perseverance — sustains evidence-based intervention for clients with degenerative conditions such as ALS or Parkinson's disease, adapting goals as function declines while preserving client dignity Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Advocacy under institutional resistance — persists in advocating for appropriate services, resources, or diagnoses for clients even when facing administrative, financial, or interdisciplinary barriers Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.

Exceeding

System-change courage — challenges inadequate institutional policies, resource allocations, or referral practices that compromise SLP service quality, accepting professional risk in pursuit of ethical standards Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Resilience modeling for clinical teams — demonstrates sustained professional effectiveness and optimism through high-stress periods such as staffing shortages or pandemic-driven service disruption, stabilizing the clinical team Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.

Sources:Pathsmith Durable Skills O*NET v30.2

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O*NET enrichment · skillscrosswalk.com

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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles

Bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist (Bilingual SLP) · Home Health SLP (Home Health Speech Language Pathologist) · Language Pathologist · Oral Therapist · Pediatric SLP (Pediatric Speech Language Pathologist) · Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist (Pediatric SLP) · Public School Speech Clinician · Public School Speech Therapist · School SLP (School Speech Language Pathologist) · SLP CF (Speech Language Pathologist Clinical Fellow) · SNF RN (Skilled Nursing Facility Registered Nurse) · Speech and Language Clinician

RAPIDS apprenticeships

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O*NET skills

Reading ComprehensionSocial PerceptivenessActive ListeningCritical ThinkingWritingLearning StrategiesSpeakingComplex Problem SolvingActive LearningMonitoringInstructingService OrientationJudgment and Decision MakingCoordinationTime ManagementSystems AnalysisSystems EvaluationOperations Analysis

Knowledge domains

English LanguageEducation and TrainingCustomer and Personal ServicePsychologyTherapy and CounselingAdministrativeSociology and AnthropologyMedicine and Dentistry

Abilities

Oral ComprehensionOral ExpressionSpeech RecognitionWritten ExpressionSpeech ClarityWritten ComprehensionInductive ReasoningDeductive ReasoningProblem SensitivityFluency of Ideas

Work styles

EmpathyAttention to DetailCooperationDependabilitySocial OrientationOptimism

Technology

Music or sound editing softwareMedical softwareAnalytical or scientific softwareCloud-based data access and sharing softwareElectronic mail softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareWord processing softwareDesktop communications softwareComputer based training software

Tasks · seed anchors for statements

Evaluate hearing or speech and language test results, barium swallow results, or medical or background information to diagnose and plan treatment for speech, language, fluency, voice, or swallowing disorders.
Write reports and maintain proper documentation of information, such as client Medicaid or billing records or caseload activities, including the initial evaluation, treatment, progress, and discharge of clients.
Monitor patients' progress and adjust treatments accordingly.
Develop or implement treatment plans for problems such as stuttering, delayed language, swallowing disorders, or inappropriate pitch or harsh voice problems, based on own assessments and recommendations of physicians, psychologists, or social workers.
Administer hearing or speech and language evaluations, tests, or examinations to patients to collect information on type and degree of impairments, using written or oral tests or special instruments.
Educate patients and family members about various topics, such as communication techniques or strategies to cope with or to avoid personal misunderstandings.
Supervise or collaborate with therapy team.
Participate in and write reports for meetings regarding patients' progress, such as individualized educational planning (IEP) meetings, in-service meetings, or intervention assistance team meetings.

CIP education codes

51.020151.020351.020451.0299