Job Description
Position Number: 22097313
County: Craighead
Posting End Date: September 7, 2026
The Department of Human Services is a place for people passionate about serving others and changing lives for the better. We care for Arkansans of all ages and ensure places like child care centers and nursing homes are safe. We are the safety net for the most vulnerable Arkansans. Whether you answer the phones, take applications, protect children, or help care for residents or patients at one of our facilities, you make a difference by working at DHS. Plus, working for the State has great perks, including a pension, maternity leave, paid state holidays, and much more. At DHS, we take care of our employees so you can help care for others.
Position Information
Job Series: Licensed Medical Professionals
Classification: Speech Pathologist – Competitive
Class Code: MLM07C
Pay Grade: MED07
Salary Range: $94,387 - $139,693
The Speech Pathologist is responsible for the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of individuals with speech, language, communication, and swallowing disorders. This position plays a crucial role in helping individuals regain or improve their abilities to communicate effectively and safely. The Speech Pathologist works collaboratively with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers to create and implement individualized treatment plans for patients of all ages, from pediatric to geriatric populations.
Primary Responsibilities
Conduct thorough evaluations of patients' speech, language, cognitive communication, and swallowing abilities using standardized assessments, observations, and patient history.
Identify and diagnose speech, language, and swallowing disorders, and develop treatment plans tailored to individual patient needs.
Develop and implement individualized therapy plans to address patients' speech and language disorders, swallowing difficulties, and communication challenges.
Provide therapeutic interventions, including exercises, strategies, and techniques to improve speech articulation, language comprehension, fluency, and swallowing safety.
Assess and treat patients with dysphagia (swallowing disorders) by providing techniques to improve swallowing function, reduce the risk of aspiration, and enhance nutritional intake.
Maintain accurate and up-to-date patient records, including assessment findings, treatment plans, progress notes, and discharge summaries.
Knowledge and Skills
Ability to assess and diagnose a wide range of speech, language, cognitive, and swallowing disorders through testing and patient observation.
Proficiency in designing and implementing individualized speech and language therapy plans that address diverse patient needs.
Expertise in assessing and treating dysphagia and providing appropriate interventions to ensure patient safety and proper nutritional intake.
Minimum Qualifications
A master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology or a related field.
Licensure/Certifications
Must hold a current Speech Pathologist license issued by the Arkansas Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology in accordance with state regulations. Certification from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) as a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) is preferred, but not required. Equivalent certification may be accepted.
OTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE.
The State of Arkansas is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.
