Within the Head and Neck Center, the Speech Language Pathologist plays a critical role in supporting patients with complex swallowing, communication, and cognitive needs related to oncology care. This specialized department focuses on improving functional outcomes and quality of life for patients undergoing cancer treatment.
The Speech Language Pathologist contributes directly to this mission by delivering advanced clinical services to adult patients in acute and inpatient settings. As a Speech Language Pathologist, you will collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary team to provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment plans, making the Speech Language Pathologist role essential to patient recovery and rehabilitation.
The ideal candidate brings medical experience working with adult patients in acute care or outpatient settings, demonstrates expertise in Modified Barium Swallow Studies, and is knowledgeable in speech and swallowing therapy for oncology populations.
Salary range:
Minimum $89,000 - Midpoint $111,000 - Maximum $133,000
Speech Language Pathologists relocating from 100+ miles from UT MD Anderson will also qualify for up to $10,000 in relocation assistance!
- Exceptional Professional Development: Paid programs for advanced certifications or furthering education.
- Comprehensive Benefits: Competitive compensation, and a full range of benefits including health, dental, and retirement plans. Additional Benefits include but are not limited to:
- Paid employee medical benefits (zero premium) starting on first day for employees who work 30 or more hours per week
- Paid time off (PTO) and Extended Illness Bank (EIB) paid leave accruals
- Paid institutional holidays, wellness leave, childcare leave and other paid leave programs
- Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service
- Fertility benefits
- Additional Benefits can be found at our Benefits page
Where You'll Make a Difference
- Work within a large, highly specialized multidisciplinary Head & Neck care model with Speech-Language Pathologists and dedicated clinical support staff across inpatient and ambulatory settings.
- Practice in a high-volume, complex oncology environment where more than 2,000 Modified Barium Swallow Studies, over 1,000 videostroboscopies, and more than 1,000 laryngectomy visits (including over 600 TEP changes) are performed annually
- Engage in advanced, specialized care including participation in awake craniotomy cases and multidisciplinary care for voice (laryngology/H&N surgery), swallow (Gastroenterology), and trismus and prosthetics (Dental)
- Benefit from a structured onboarding program combining hands-on and didactic training, along with certification pay and ongoing professional development support
- Access to robust research integration, including active clinical trials, prospective studies, and more than 25 annual publications with funding from NCI, PCORI, Department of Defense, and foundations.
- Collaborate in an academic environment with pre- and post-doctoral trainees, fellowship programs in oncologic SLP and audiology, and opportunities to contribute to education and research.
- Take advantage of extensive continuing education resources including an annual stipend, ASHA CE offerings, MDA didactics, DIGEST training, and live learning events
- Deliver care across a large, resource-rich system including an 800-bed acute care hospital, a 10-bed acute rehab unit, and four Houston-area locations
Responsibilities
Patient Evaluation & Care Planning
- Conduct comprehensive evaluations of patients with swallowing, cognitive, and communication deficits
- Develop individualized plans of care aligned with identified functional and/or organic deficits
- Administer therapeutic interventions to improve patient outcomes
Clinical Documentation & Record Management
- Maintain accurate and timely documentation including progress notes and IPOCTR records
- Track patient progress and services provided in compliance with clinical standards
- Initiate referrals and communicate recommendations to appropriate resources or agencies
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Participate in patient rounds and interdisciplinary team discussions
- Coordinate care with healthcare team members within the Head and Neck Center
- Contribute to patient-centered treatment planning and outcomes assessment
Program Development & Professional Engagement
- Support program development and service expansion initiatives
- Attend professional meetings and contribute through presentations and correspondence
- Stay current with best practices in speech language pathology within oncology care
Perform other duties as assigned
EDUCATION- Required: Master's Degree Speech Language Pathology or Communication Sciences and Disorders.
WORK EXPERIENCELICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS- Required: Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) issued by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). within 30 Days
- Required: SP-L - Licensed Speech Pathologist License in Speech Language Pathology issued by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation within 30 Days
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition.
This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.
