Speech-Language Pathology at Providence Health Care provides services for patients and families from all over BC and supports Speech-Language
Pathologists (S-LPs) in remote areas of BC.

Our S-LPs have presented at provincial, national and international conferences and are involved in progressive clinical research. They work closely with the University of British Columbia School of Audiology and Speech Sciences, and offer clinical externships for Master's students.

SLPs at PHC have expertise to evaluate and treat communication and swallowing disorders such as:
• Dysarthria
• Aphasia
• Oropharyngeal dysphagia
• Voice disorders
• Cognitive-language difficulties
• Hearing impairments
• Fluency disorders

Such conditions can often result from a stroke, traumatic brain injury, tracheostomy, degenerative and infectious disease (e.g., Parkinson's, ALS, MS, Dementia, AIDS), or head/neck surgery and cancer.

S-LPs are involved in:
• Assessing and diagnosing communication and swallowing disorders
• Providing staff and family with strategies to facilitate communication and swallowing
• Providing direct speech, language and swallowing rehabilitation for patients, and counselling for families
• Assisting non-verbal patients with augmentative communication devices
• Ensuring patients can perform essential communication tasks prior to discharge (e.g. reading medication labels, calling 911, etc.)
• Preparing patients for successful reintegration into the community, by
providing rehabilitation and arranging appropriate community services

Areas of Work
• Acute Care - St. Paul's Hospital and Mount Saint Josephs Hospital
• Rehabilitation -Holy Family Hospital
• Residential Care - Langara, Brock Fahrni, Holy Family, and Youville

Qualifications
S-LPs at Providence have a Master's Degree and are registered members of the Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists.

Interdisciplinary Team
Our Speech-Language Pathologists are part of interdisciplinary teams, working closely with occupational therapists, physiotherapists, social
workers, physicians and nurses in programs such as Elder Care, Rehabilitation, Cardiac, Medicine and HIV/AIDS. Flexible schedules, mentorships, specializations, and continuing education/research
opportunities are offered by PHC.