Shirley Ryan AbilityLab logo
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
Chicago, Illinois

Speech-Language Pathologist: Dysphagia Lab Therapist

Speech-Language PathologistIncludes weekendsPart-Time

Listed compensation

$68K - $120K

The week · per this posting

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 3mo ago

Job Description

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is the global leader in physical medicine and rehabilitation for adults and children with the most severe, complex conditions. By joining our team, you’ll be part of our life-changing mission and vision.

You’ll contribute to an innovative, multifaceted culture that is second to none — one that embraces collaboration, excellence, discovery and compassion.

You’ll play a role in something that’s never been done before as we integrate science and clinical care to help patients achieve better, faster outcomes — as we Advance Human Ability, together.

Job Description Summary The Senior Speech & Language Pathologist I is committed to excellence in the profession of Speech Therapy, demonstrated by clinical expertise and contributions to the organization.

A Senior Speech Language Pathologist I implements evidenced based care at the department level, to promote optimal patient outcomes.

The Senior Speech & Language Pathologist I consistently demonstrates support of the SRAlab statement of Mission and Vision by striving for excellence, contributing to the team efforts and showing respect and compassion for patients and their families, fellow employees, and all others with whom there is contact at or in the interest of the organization.

The Senior Speech & Language Pathologist I excels in the SRAlab Core Attributes: Communication, Accountability, Flexibility/Adaptability, Judgment/Problem Solving, Customer Service and SRAlab Values (Hope, Compassion, Discovery, Collaboration, and Commitment to Excellence) while fulfilling job duties.

Job Description The Senior Speech & Language Pathologist will: In addition to performing all of the responsibilities of a Speech & Language Pathologist; Contributes to the production and dissemination of evidence-based practice at the organizational, state, or national level.

These may include Completion of evidence based review of interventions or outcome measures. Creation and/or implementation of practice guidelines. Standardization of outcome measure collection/interpretation. Implementation of new practice standards at the department level.

Performs professional presentations internally and reinforces practice priorities within the organization. Provides mentoring on practice and documentation for staff and students, aligning with organizational needs, while pursuing advanced mentoring training through internal or specialized programs.

Contributes to performance management evaluations of staff speech therapists. Actively participates in professional organizations, such as: Participates in state, national, or local meetings. Holds an office, board member, special interest group participant.

Disseminates information or knowledge at the department or organizational level. Reporting Relationships Reports directly to assigned Clinical Manager or Therapy Manager. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required Graduated from an accredited program with current license to practice.

Licensed to practice in the State of Illinois. Current CPR or BLS certification from the American Heart Association or American Red Cross required. Minimum of 3 years clinical experience required; at least 5 years clinical experience preferred.

Maintains a clinical role of at least 0.4 FTE; and at least 0.5 FTE overall in the organization.

Outstanding communication skills, with demonstrated ability to partner with physicians, patients and families in providing therapy and exchanging patient progress/condition information and to assign duties and orient/train subordinate professional, technical and support personnel.

Proven in-depth conceptual knowledge in speech therapy. Ability to solve complex problems, demonstrating excellent critical thinking skills. Proven commitment to the profession of speech therapy.

Confidently and efficiently predicts outcomes beyond a single episode of care and considers the long-term needs of the patient. Takes initiative to identify learning needs and resources. Follows through and shares information with peers in a timely manner.

Transfers skills and knowledge confidently into unfamiliar situations and efficiently identifies new learning needs. Through the readings of scientific literature is able to identify current issues and trends in practice.

Demonstrates involvement in activities that contribute to the improvement of the unit/department/profession. Instills confidence in colleagues. Identifies systems or practice issues and potential solutions as part of professional role.

Working Conditions Normal office environment with little or no exposure to dust or extreme temperature. Some exposure to infectious diseases when working with patients. May include exposure to community, home, work, school and off-site clinic settings. May include Saturday and Sunday rotation work.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

Pay and Benefits*: Pay Range: $68,000.00 - $120,000.00 Benefits: Shirley Ryan AbilityLab offers a comprehensive benefits program that is competitive with our industry peers in our geographic locations: sralab.org *Benefits and benefits’ eligibility can vary by position. Actual compensation will be determined by equity and qualifications of the role.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Employer Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is an

Equal Employment Opportunity

Employer.

All applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunity without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin or ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, order of protection status, unfavorable discharge from military service, or any other characteristics protected by law.

EEO is the Law | EEO is the Law - Know Your Rights | View our Full Policy Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is an Affirmative Action Employer as required by law. Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is the global leader in physical medicine and rehabilitation for adults and children with the most severe, complex conditions.

By joining our team, you’ll be part of our life-changing mission and vision. You’ll contribute to an innovative, multifaceted culture that is second to none — one that embraces collaboration, excellence, discovery and compassion.

You’ll play a role in something that’s never been done before as we integrate science and clinical care to help patients achieve better, faster outcomes — as we Advance Human Ability, together.

Key Responsibilities

The Senior Speech & Language Pathologist implements evidence-based care and contributes to the production of practice guidelines at organizational or national levels. They provide mentoring for staff and students while participating in professional organizations to advance the field of speech therapy.

Requirements

Candidates must be licensed to practice in Illinois, hold a current CPR/BLS certification, and have a minimum of 3 years of clinical experience (5 years preferred). Graduation from an accredited program and the ability to maintain a specific FTE clinical role are required.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure
Experience
5+ years of experience

Key Skills

Dysphagia ManagementClinical MentoringPatient CareClinical DocumentationInterdisciplinary CollaborationProfessional Presentation

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Speech-Language Pathologist: Dysphagia Lab Therapist at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab a 6.1 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Speech Language Pathology — ranked against 6,763 active Speech Language Pathology listings on WeekdayDoc.

Speech-Language Pathologist Career Context

Of the 40 active Speech-Language Pathology listings this role was benchmarked against, 13% are remote, 48% have no call, 53% require no weekends.

Speech-Language Pathology pay on WeekdayDoc is up 4.2% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

The cost-of-living index for Illinois is 100.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$94k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $94k in an average-cost state. 62.6% of Illinois clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Speech Language Pathologist Jobs

24 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution24 jobs · 14 employers

13
<$100k
1
$103k
1
$128k
8
$140k-160k
1
$166k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks23 jobs · 14 employers

401k / retirement match
91% this job
CME allowance
35% this job
Loan repayment
26%
Sign-on bonus
22%
Relocation assistance
22%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

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#3

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+ 22 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 2.8this job 6.1
Better work-life than 70% of Speech Language Pathology listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 6,763 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • Includes weekends

Living in Chicago

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$356k≈ 5.2× annual pay
Typical market rent
$2,342/mo≈ 41% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
33 min
State income tax
Up to 5%
Sources & methodology

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

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.