In a recent LSHSS article by Lauren Katz, et al, “What makes a caseload (un)manageable? School-based speech-language pathologists speak” (complete citation follows below), the authors examined variables that contribute to a clinician’s perception of her ability to enjoy a job well-done.

Through an extensive literature search, the authors uncovered a few demographic variables for predicting job satisfaction including:

• the SLP’s highest degree achieved (the higher the better),
• gender (females over males), and
• years of experience (the more years the better).

The most important job-setting characteristics for predicting job satisfaction included:

• caseload size (in favor of smaller caseloads),
• geographic setting (in favor of suburban settings),
• permanent status (vs. itinerant status),
• number of students served per day (in favor of serving fewer students), and
• age level served (in favor of elementary schools).

Finally, the job characteristics most important for predicting job satisfaction included

• having friendly coworkers
• having enough time to get the job done, and
• working with a friendly supervisor.

Survey respondents to the authors’ questionnaire reported an average caseload of 49 students, with 60% of the participants finding caseloads of 41-50 students unmanageable.

How does this compare with your experience? We invite your comments!

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Katz LA, Maag A, Fallon KA, Blenkarn K, Smith MK. (2010). What makes a caseload (un)manageable? School-based speech-language pathologists speak. Language Speech and Hearing Services in the Schools, 41(2), 139-151.