Abby Barnes, M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech-language pathologists, also known as SLPs or speech therapists, serve a wide variety of people with a range of communication needs. From babies and toddlers to those in end-of-life care, this profession sees it all.
With such a wide scope of practice, there are many types of jobs an SLP can have. Speech therapists work in schools, hospitals, outpatient clinics, and as providers of online speech therapy.
Join one of Expressable’s SLPs to learn more about remote work as an online speech therapist. In this article, Kaylee Heitz, M.S., CCC-SLP, walks us through her typical workday and shares some of her favorite aspects of providing teletherapy.
10 a.m.: Workday prep
Kaylee starts her workday with a cup of coffee in hand, reviewing work-related messages from colleagues. She then looks over her schedule of clients for the day and prepares for sessions.
One of the benefits of working for Expressable is having input in and flexibility with your schedule. For example, Kaylee works four days a week. As she puts it, “I have created my schedule so I have time in the morning to drop off my son at daycare, come home around 8 a.m., and get ready for the day. Slow mornings work better for me. I can use this early time to get things done around the house, do meal prep, or go to any appointments I have.”
I have created my schedule so I have time in the morning to drop off my son at daycare, come home, and get ready for the day. Slow mornings work better for me.
One way Kaylee gets ready for her clients is by pulling up online games and activities (favorites include pbskids.org, Youtube videos, and Pinkcat games) and setting out toys she may use during sessions. She uses her Expressable-provided iPad to load games for some of her younger clients. Minecraft Memory Match or trivia for a favorite TV show are always a hit with her kids. Kaylee also gets creative by setting her Zoom background to something fun and motivating, such as her young clients’ favorite TV show characters.
Kaylee is a pro at session prep and uses several methods to stay organized. One tip she suggests is color-coordinating her computer’s browser tabs by treatment area. Articulation may get a blue tab, while AAC gets a yellow tab and language gets green. This makes it easy for her to quickly find what she needs for each client.
10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Morning client sessions
Kaylee begins seeing her clients at 10:30 a.m. Sessions are 30 minutes each and typically occur back to back. Kaylee’s schedule consists mostly of treating children for articulation and early language. She works with a few AAC users as well. Her treatment sessions incorporate parent and family involvement, as she teaches caregivers how to support their child at home in practicing new communication skills. Parent coaching is a technique Kaylee uses frequently.
Kaylee also sees a few adult clients for professional communication and aphasia. Naturally, these sessions look different than the ones with pediatric clients.
Expressable has excellent average client attendance across the board. But from time to time, client cancellations and no-shows happen–just like at any job. When a client can’t make it to their session, Kaylee takes a small break to fill up her water, pet her dog, or complete any needed documentation. She also spends time logging client attendance and checking work messages.
1 p.m.: Lunch
After a morning of client sessions, Kaylee’s lunch gives her a break in the day. With her kitchen just upstairs from her office, she’s able to quickly make a fresh meal (a sandwich with a side of fresh fruit and veggies is her go-to!).
Another benefit to working remotely is being able to do small tasks at home, like starting a load of laundry or taking a walk with your dog–two things Kaylee regularly takes advantage of.
1:30 to 4:30 p.m.: Afternoon client sessions
Kaylee gets back to seeing clients after her lunch break. Every client’s needs and interests are different, so Kaylee tailors activities to fit what they like and will be motivated by. As mentioned earlier, sometimes she uses virtual games or shares visual materials on her screen. Other times she uses physical items like PlayDoh or a book. Even though the client isn’t there in person, there are many ways online speech therapists can use actual toys and activities to engage them.
4:30 to 5 p.m.: Break
Kaylee usually sets out something for dinner for her family and sends them a text to check in. Sometimes her son is home around this time, so she can give him a hug and say hello–another special perk to working from home.
5 to 7:30 p.m.: Evening client sessions
After her break, Kaylee goes back to her downstairs office. She’s typically booked in the evening until 7:30 p.m. Evening time slots are very popular at Expressable, whether it's for kids who need speech therapy after school or adults doing therapy after their workday.
Working in the evening may be a little untraditional, but for some SLPs it's welcome for many reasons. For one, at Expressable, evening hours are compensated at a higher rate. As Kaylee explains, “I have chosen to have a later work schedule to allow me to meet my compensation goals while only working four days a week.” It’s flexibility like this that makes Expressable such a unique place to work.
If there’s a short break or cancellation during her evening lineup, Kaylee goes upstairs to peek in and blow a kiss to her son. She says, “If I didn’t work remotely, I wouldn’t be able to do this. It’s one of the things I love so much about working from home.”
7:30 p.m.: Logging off for the day
At 7:30 p.m., Kaylee finishes up any last documentation and jumps into “mom mode.” She can start her son’s bedtime routine without having to commute back home. Just a walk upstairs from her office, and she’s right there to start tucking him in.
The daily routine of an online speech therapist can be a busy one, but the comfort of working from home and the ability to create your own schedule are valuable perks. If you’re an SLP looking for remote work, check out our current openings, or reach out to us at recruiting@expressable.io. We’d love to chat!
