Speech Language Pathologist

Speech Language Pathologist

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is a leading institution dedicated to cancer care, research, education, and prevention. 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.

UT MD Anderson is recognized globally for excellence in oncology and innovation in patient-centered care. 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!

Why Us? This role offers the opportunity to directly impact patient outcomes in a nationally recognized oncology setting while advancing clinical expertise in a highly specialized field. UT MD Anderson supports professional development, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a balanced work environment that enables growth and meaningful contribution to patient care.

• 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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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 EXPERIENCE

• Required: None

LICENSES 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. It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state, or local laws unless such distinction is required by law.