By Layla Olive Wohlfeiler, Clinical Manager at Epic Special Education Staffing
Recently, we sat down with ASHA for their Instagram Live session to discuss the opportunities virtual speech-language pathology offered, particularly in the Special Education setting. If you weren’t able to catch us live, don’t worry. We’ve compiled some of the vital learnings from the session and broke them down into a two-part blog series. In this blog, we’ll be covering the basics, while part two will focus on some helpful tips.
Advantages of Working as a Virtual SLP
Working as a virtual SLP in school settings presents several advantages, from greater flexibility and accessibility to increased convenience and efficiency in delivering therapy services.
Flexibility: Virtual therapy offers greater flexibility in scheduling sessions, allowing SLPs to accommodate students’ diverse schedules and needs more effectively. Working from home also means you’ll be in more control of your time, helping you achieve that work-life balance.
Accessibility: As a virtual SLP, you can reach students in remote areas or areas that are typically geographically difficult to access. It also benefits school districts that have difficulty staffing since they would now have access to a broader talent pool beyond their local area.
Convenience: With virtual therapy, you can service multiple school sites in one day without having to leave your home. Plus, you get to avoid the stress of traffic and long commutes.
Increased Efficiency: Virtual platforms often provide tools for documentation, scheduling, and communication, streamlining administrative tasks for SLPs. This efficiency allows practitioners to focus more on delivering quality therapy and less on paperwork.
Challenges of Working as a Virtual SLP
While there are many advantages to working as a virtual SLP in school settings, it is not without its unique set of challenges. By understanding these challenges, you’ll be better equipped to handle them when they come.
Technology Issues: Technical glitches such as audio or video lags, screen freezing, or dropped connections can sometimes disrupt therapy sessions. Before pursuing a career as a virtual SLP, it’s important to have the right setup. Get a reliable internet connection and make sure to test your equipment to avoid technical issues during your sessions.
In-Person Support for Students: For most schools and students, we require an adult to help get the students logged into their virtual sessions and supervise students during sessions.
Maintaining Engagement and Limited Physical Cues: Maintaining student attention, engagement, and the ability to provide physical and tactile prompts and cues can sometimes be difficult with virtual therapy.
Once all the pieces are in place it’s usually smooth sailing. Keep an eye out for part two of this blog for strategies, resources, and materials to keep students engaged and enjoying their time in speech!
What You Need to Succeed as a Virtual SLP
Licensure
SLPs are required to hold a valid license in the state they live in and the state where clients are located. This means you’re not just limited to working in your state of residence, as long as you have the necessary licensure. For example, I live in Ohio but have clients in California, since I’m licensed in both states.
One thing to note, however, is the time difference. As a night owl, I like that my day starts at around 11 AM my time and ends a bit later into the night. I feel most productive during this time so it all works out. So, you have to consider the different time zones and your own preferences when working.
If you’re currently only licensed to work in your state of residence but wish to branch out, Epic is here to help. We have an amazing credentialing team that will support you throughout the process of obtaining a license. We also offer reimbursement for licenses.
Essential Skills
Organization and Time Management Skills: When you possess these skills, you can ensure efficient scheduling, effective therapy session planning, and timely progress tracking, which are crucial for delivering high-quality care in a remote setting.
Technology Proficiency: Since you will be working online, being able to navigate the virtual platforms and troubleshoot any tech issues is a basic requirement.
Communication Skills: Strong communication skills are vital for virtual SLPs in special education as they facilitate clear and effective interaction with clients, caregivers, and in-person school staff, ensuring that therapy goals are understood and collaboratively achieved. These skills are also crucial for providing instructions, feedback, and support in an engaging and comprehensible manner.
Creativity and Resourcefulness: You need to be able to think on your feet to keep students engaged and pivot if the lesson or plan you had for the session isn’t working or keeping their attention. Think outside of the box for ways to engage students and target their goals.
The Epic Difference
Ready to start your career as a virtual SLP? Epic Special Education Staffing is here to help.
Nationwide Placements
Epic Special Education Staffing offers full-time, part-time, long-term, and short-term virtual placements throughout the U.S. We hire SLPS as employees on a W-2 and independent contractors on a 1099 or C2C basis.
Dedicated Support
At Epic, we have an amazing team of recruiters, relationship managers, clinical managers, HR, payroll, and credentialing personnel at your service. We’ll be there to support you throughout your contract, taking care of the stressful stuff so you can focus on the best parts of the job.
As a Clinical Manager working with virtual SLPs, I make sure to conduct frequent check-ins, training, and virtual meetings, acting as their resource for all things clinical. I always remind them that I am available to help brainstorm and problem-solve whenever issues arise, offering support and guidance throughout their assignment.
Amazing Benefits
On top of our competitive compensation, we also offer PTO, paid holidays, 401k matching, and health insurance beginning on day one. Clinicians will also receive CEU and materials reimbursement. Currently, we’re offering a $2,000 sign-on bonus as well as a $1,000 referral bonus and a $250 charitable donation to the charity of your choice.
Embrace the Future of Speech Therapy
Embarking on a career as a virtual SLP in school settings opens up a world of opportunities, blending flexibility, accessibility, and efficiency. By honing essential skills and leveraging the support of a dedicated team like Epic Special Education Staffing, you can overcome the challenges and unlock the full potential of virtual therapy.
Ready to make a difference from anywhere? Join us at Epic Special Education Staffing and be a part of the future of speech-language pathology.
About the Author
Layla Olive Wohlfeiler, M.S., CCC-SLP is a Clinical Manager with Epic Special Education Staffing. With almost 15 years of experience as a Speech-Language Pathologist working in a variety of school, pediatric, and tele-therapy roles, Layla uses her knowledge and extensive background in Special Education and Virtual therapy to support our clinicians.
Layla received her bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Ohio State University and a master’s degree in Communication Disorders from Marshall University. Her academic background, combined with her practical experiences, has equipped her with the skills and expertise to effectively support and mentor clinicians in their professional journeys. She loves to collaborate and brainstorm with clinicians to ensure their success in various placements, providing them with the tools and support they need to thrive. Layla and her husband live in Columbus, Ohio, with their French Bulldog, Farley. They enjoy traveling, attending concerts, and passionately supporting “THE” Ohio State Buckeyes.
