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Stanford Health Care
Palo Alto, California

Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) II, Head and Neck Oncology

Speech-Language PathologistFull-Time

Listed compensation

$57.53-$76.22/hr

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 1h ago · Verified live

Job Description

If you're ready to be part of our legacy of hope and innovation, we encourage you to take the first step and explore our current job openings. Your best is waiting to be discovered.

  • Day - 10 Hour (United States of America)
  • This position will support Stanford Medicine Sutter Health Cancer Center (SMSHCC).
  • This is a Stanford Health Care job.

A Brief Overview

The Speech Language Pathologist II is an experienced therapist who is fully competent with all essential functional and job duties of a Speech Language Pathologist I, but also has expertise and experience in evaluating and developing treatment plans for more complex patients and for a wide variety of ages and diagnoses, utilizing advanced skills and techniques to solve patient care needs in an accurate and efficient manner.

The SLP II conducts clinical and instrumental swallow examinations (videofluoroscopy and flexible endoscopic swallow evaluations). The Speech Pathologist II takes an active role in multi-disciplinary care team discussions, recommending the most appropriate treatment plan for the needs of the patient.

The SLP II serves as a clinical advisor to less experienced Therapists by consulting on complex clinical presentations, reviewing treatment plans and collaborating to develop and implement complex SLP care plans that are evidence based.

Supervises patient care responsibilities of Physical Therapy interns, Physical Therapy Assistants and duties of Rehabilitation Aide. Functions as a Clinical Instructor in the Speech Language Pathology student program.

Contributes to program development, performance improvement, development of departmental policies and procedures, and other specialized programs. Completes required classes and in-service programs, which support work as Speech Language Pathologists, as needed.

Locations

Stanford Health Care

What You Will Do

Must meet and be proficient in performing all the essential functions of Speech Language Pathologist I with a more complex patient population as well as the following:

Evaluates and treats patients with more complex speech, language, cognitive, voice and swallow impairments including instrumental swallow assessments (videofluoroscopy and flexible endoscopy).

Prepares and presents an in-service (at least one annually).

Develops, implements, and modifies therapeutic interventions to alleviate complex communication, cognitive and swallow impairments; selects and administers appropriate assessment and treatment techniques; performs age appropriate competency skills in area of practice and with respect to individual patient's problems with fundamental skills in clinical reasoning, problem-solving, and interventions.

  • Provides input regarding the educational needs of the staff and serves as a resource in meeting those needs.
  • With the support of the manager, may initiate clinical research within area of clinical expertise.
  • Provides mentoring to others when appropriate and serves as a role model/resource/teacher/mentor to less experienced speech pathologists.
  • Leads patient care conferences, communicating with and teaching other care providers.

Assists with identifying departmental performance improvement issues and participates in performance improvement activities, e. g. chart reviews, revision of documentation forms, workflow studies, etc.

Contributes to the development of departmental policies and procedures.

Identifies needs for equipment repair or upgrade to maintain quality of care. Makes recommendations for selection and purchase of specific equipment and supplies.

Education Qualifications

Graduate of an approved Speech Language Pathology curriculum with either a Master's or Doctorate degree.

Experience Qualifications

  • Two (2) years clinical practice as a Speech Language Pathologist (including work experience as Clinical Fellow).
  • Competent with Instrumental Swallow Assessments (VFSS and FEES).
  • Certification in MBSImp is preferred.
  • Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  • Knowledge and adherence to Code of Ethics and performance standards specific to the clinician's professional organization.
  • Knowledge of available equipment and vendors used in assigned area.
  • Knowledge of basic business aspects of position, such as utilization management, charging practices and regulatory practice compliance.
  • Knowledge of evaluation and treatment methodologies as applied to routine patient care.
  • Knowledge of legal issues affecting the clinical practice.
  • Knowledge of pathologies and injuries which result in physical impairments.
  • Knowledge of principles, methods, equipment and theory of the practice of clinical specialty.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, clearly, concisely and effectively with patients, families, co-workers, visitors, supervisors and other health professionals.

Ability to develop and document clearly and accurately treatment goals that are realistic, measurable, appropriate, functionally based and that include patient/family input.

  • Ability to develop, implement and adapt treatment programs.
  • Ability to evaluate patients and interpret clinical data and make clinical judgments in clinically complex situations.
  • Ability to develop, implement and adapt treatment programs to changing clinical status.

Ability to provide appropriate care and progress treatment based on professional standards of practice, and on the needs of the specific individual, including age and developmental considerations, cultural and psychosocial issues, precautions and medical condition.

Ability to utilize sound clinical reasoning to determine appropriate patient interventions; demonstrates good safety awareness, judgment and problem analysis and resolution.

  • Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with others.
  • Ability to clinically supervise, train and evaluate students/interns.
  • Ability to apply advanced clinical skills in treating difficult and complex cases.
  • Licenses and Certifications
  • California Speech Pathologist (SP)
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) issued by the American Heart Association

These Principles Apply to ALL Employees

SHC Commitment to Providing an Exceptional Patient & Family Experience

Stanford Health Care sets a high standard for delivering value and an exceptional experience for our patients and families. Candidates for employment and existing employees must adopt and execute C-I-CARE standards for all of patients, families and towards each other.

C-I-CARE is the foundation of Stanford’s patient-experience and represents a framework for patient-centered interactions. Simply put, we do what it takes to enable and empower patients and families to focus on health, healing and recovery.

You will do this by executing against our three experience pillars, from the patient and family’s perspective:

  • Know Me: Anticipate my needs and status to deliver effective care
  • Show Me the Way: Guide and prompt my actions to arrive at better outcomes and better health
  • Coordinate for Me: Own the complexity of my care through coordination

Equal Opportunity Employer Stanford Health Care (SHC) strongly values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination in all of its policies and practices, including the area of employment.

Accordingly, SHC does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity and/or expression, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, or disability, or the perception of any of the above.

People of all genders, members of all racial and ethnic groups, people with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Qualified applicants with criminal convictions will be considered after an individualized assessment of the conviction and the job requirements.

Base Pay Scale: Generally starting at $57.53 - $76.22 per hour

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training. This pay scale is not a promise of a particular wage.

Key Responsibilities

The Speech Language Pathologist II evaluates and treats patients with complex speech, language, cognitive, voice, and swallow impairments, including performing instrumental swallow assessments. They also serve as a clinical advisor and mentor to less experienced staff while contributing to departmental policy development and performance improvement initiatives.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a Master's or Doctorate degree in Speech Language Pathology and possess at least two years of clinical experience. Proficiency in instrumental swallow assessments and current California licensure are required.

Qualifications

Education
Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Head and Neck OncologyFlexible Endoscopic Swallow EvaluationInstrumental Swallow AssessmentInterdisciplinary CollaborationClinical InstructionEvidence-based Practice

Oncology — Speech-Language Pathologist Career Context

The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$139k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $126k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Of the 40 active Speech-Language Pathologist listings this role was benchmarked against, 3% are remote, 43% have no call, 57% require no weekends.

Stanford Health Care holds silver-tier status on WeekdayDoc's Top Employers work-life index, composite score 73/100, 48 active listings.

Speech-Language Pathologist pay on WeekdayDoc is up 5.7% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

Top Speech Language Pathologist Jobs

30 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution30 jobs · 15 employers

12
<$110k
7
$110k-140k
6
$140k
5
$170k-200k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks23 jobs · 15 employers

401k / retirement match
100%
CME allowance
35%
Loan repayment
30%
PSLF eligible
22%
Relocation assistance
17%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Laryngology/Oncologic Speech Language Pathologist

Sutter Health · San Francisco, California

$142k-$199k
#2

School Speech-Language Pathologist - BronxContract

Knowledge Road · Bronx, New York

$75-$95/hr
#3

School Speech-Language Pathologist - Brooklyn

$75-$95/hr
#4

School Speech-Language Pathologist - Manhattan

$75-$95/hr
+ 28 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 3.0this job 1.5
Better work-life than 10% of Speech-Language Pathology listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 7,497 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Living in Palo Alto

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$3.26M
Typical market rent
$4,678/mo
Residents’ average commute
21 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
110.4
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.