You know how to assess communication needs, plan therapy, and explain progress to families. But when a school-based speech-language pathologist job description mentions IEP meetings, classroom collaboration, and a caseload spread across campuses, it can be hard to tell how your clinic experience fits.

If you’re considering a school contract after winter break, use the weeks ahead to learn what the setting involves and identify assignments that fit your experience. Here’s how to make that first conversation with a recruiter more productive.

Think About How Therapy Fits Into the School Day

In a school setting, your work may include direct therapy, evaluations, and team meetings, alongside conversations with teachers about how students use communication skills during class. TSP has advertised school-based SLP contracts that include a mix of these responsibilities.

Think of an example from your clinical work that shows how you help someone use a skill outside a session. Maybe you coached a caregiver on ways to encourage a child to ask for help during daily routines. That example can show a school team how you explain strategies in practical terms and work with the adults who support a student throughout the day.

Translate Your Clinical Experience on Your Resume

Put the experience that matters to a school team near the top: the ages you’ve worked with, the assessments you’ve conducted, and how you’ve collaborated with families or other professionals.

For example, instead of writing “provided pediatric speech therapy,” you might write:

Conducted speech-language evaluations for preschool and elementary-age children, tracked progress toward therapy goals, and coached caregivers on strategies to use at home.

Use only details that reflect your experience. If you’ve collaborated with educators or participated in individualized education program (IEP) meetings, say what you contributed. If you’re new to the IEP process, be clear about that and ask what orientation and support the school provides.

Ask What the School Will Need From You

Before accepting a school contract, find out how the workload is divided. Two roles with similar caseloads can look different if one includes several campuses or a backlog of evaluations.

Start with these questions:

• How is time divided among therapy, evaluations, meetings, and documentation?
• Which age groups and campuses would I support?
• What evaluations or meetings are already on the calendar?
• Who can walk me through the district’s documentation process?
• Is there another SLP I can consult during the transition?
• What credentials and clearances should I confirm for this assignment?

The answers can help you tell whether the assignment offers the support you want as you move into a school setting.

Tell Your Recruiter What Would Make the Move Work

Share the ages you’ve worked with, your preferred locations, and your earliest realistic start date. If you’d prefer one campus or want a placement with a clear orientation plan, say so. Those details give the recruiter a better starting point for finding assignments you’d want to consider.

Ready to explore school-based SLP jobs? Submit your resume to TSP Ed and tell us about your clinical experience, preferred locations, and availability.