Non-clinical Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP)Remote: Writer for The Informed SLP

Informed SLP writers are part-time independent contractors who contribute to our research reviews alongside their day jobs as working SLPs, researchers, and/or clinical faculty. They work remotely, collaborating with an editor who assigns/approves projects, provides feedback, and prepares their work for publication. 

A writer’s essential duties are as follows:

• Read research studies and, based on TISLP’s guidelines, determine whether and how to write them up for our audience.
• Upon the editor's approval, write research reviews aligning with TISLP’s style guide.
• Collaborate with editors and topic area experts to address any changes needed.
• Communicate effectively and proactively in a digital, self-directed environment with quick turnaround. 

Application process: Instead of submitting resumes and cover letters, we’d like interested applicants to respond to a set of written questions. You can view the questions below. Please copy/paste your typed answers into our linked application form for submission (but keep a copy for yourself, just in case). After we review submissions, we will invite top candidates to complete a paid writing assignment. If you’re selected for a writing tryout, we will also ask you for three professional references at that point. You can direct specific questions to karenevans@theinformedslp.com, but we will only accept application materials through the online form. 

Application Timeline: 

• Submission deadline: Monday, November 30th at 11 pm CST
• Update to applicants & invitations for paid tryouts: Friday, December 11th (approximately)

Application questions: For the questions below, we’ve specified the audience you should be speaking to and the style or tone to aim for. We’ve also given word limits. We value conciseness, so if you can communicate your answer effectively in fewer words, go for it! Questions 1 through 6 are required; questions 7 and 8 are optional. Please read through your work and consider using a spelling/grammar program to check for typos, etc., but do not have anyone else give you feedback or edit your responses. Please do not use an AI chatbot to write or edit your answers. When you write for us, you won’t be able to share your writing with anyone else, so we need to see what you can do without outside support. Again, draft these answers in the word processor of your choice and copy/paste into our application form. 

1. What should we know about you, your professional experience, and your qualifications for this role? (Audience: TISLP leadership. Style: Conversational. Word limit: 300)
2. What’s your experience related to consuming or producing research in our (or a related) field? (Audience: TISLP leadership. Style: Conversational. Word limit: 150)
3. Think of a topic you know much more about than the average person (this can be ANYTHING, not necessarily speech-related). Imagine I’m your friend and I’m going to a party where everyone else is into this topic and will be talking about it. I’m nervous I won’t know all the things! Get me up to speed in 300 words or less. (Audience: Adult friend who knows things but isn’t an expert on this topic. Style: Informal, conversational. Word limit: 300)
4. A professional colleague is questioning an approach you’re taking with a patient/client/student. Think of a realistic scenario you have encountered or might encounter in your clinical work. Explain yourself to that colleague. (Audience: Professional colleague. Style: Professional, conversational. Word limit: 250)
5. Think of a frequent question you get or misconception you encounter when interacting with your clients or their caregivers. What’s the question/misconception and what’s your response? (Audience: Caregiver/client. Style: Accessible, conversational. Word limit: 250)
6. We are particularly interested in contracting with writers who can demonstrate broad clinical and/or academic expertise in pediatric speech and language disorders with preschool and school-age children from diverse backgrounds and with diverse support needs. We are also looking for writers with interest and experience with autism and neurodiversity. Do you fit this description? Let us know how you can contribute to our coverage of these topics. This not you? Tell us what expertise, experience, and interests you could bring to our team. (Audience: TISLP leadership. Style: Your most comfortable voice. Word limit: 200)
7. Optional: What do you think TISLP could or should be doing differently? (Audience: TISLP leadership. Style: Your most comfortable voice. Word limit: 200)
8. Optional: TISLP is making a conscious effort to expand the diversity of our team. If you feel contracting with you would support that goal (and you're comfortable disclosing here), please let us know. (Audience: TISLP leadership. Style: Your most comfortable voice. Word limit: 200)

As a 1099 contractor, the writer negotiates the pay rate with their editor.

N/A (1099 contract)

Number of writers at TISLP: 37

Annual turnover rate for writers (last 12 months): 2%

Percent of writers at TISLP 2+ years: 92%

In a given day or week, you work when you want, as long as you make the monthly deadline.

A typical schedule for our writers is 8–10 hours per month, for approximately 8 months per year (max 10–11), based on their availability. The majority of reading and writing hours occur in the first 10 days of each month. Editors occasionally assign off-cycle projects or hours based on writer availability and needs. 

N/A (1099 contract)

Schedule is flexible. Deadlines do not typically fall on holidays and writers can choose when they work on projects. 

You’ll be a great fit for this position if:

• You’re a licensed pediatric SLP with at least 3–5 years of clinical experience in a school or clinic setting. You might teach or do research too, but working with kids is part of your typical week. Geography is no barrier; our team is global. You do not have to live or practice in North America, but you do need to be a fluent reader/writer in English.
• You consider yourself a generalist who’s experienced in assessing and treating speech sound disorders and language disorders with a diverse population of kids, including multilingual learners and autistic/neurodivergent kids with a range of support needs.
• You might be a research/EBP nerd. You are very comfortable reading and appraising research studies on a variety of SLP topics. You probably have direct experience conducting or contributing to research studies as a graduate student or after. When you read a research article, you immediately start thinking about how you’ll apply the information in practice.
• You keep informed about the greater SLP world. You’re aware of the major developments, hot topics, and challenges your colleagues are navigating in their practice.
• You love to write, and people tell you you’re really good at it. You can make complex ideas approachable and can tailor your message to your audience. You have a knack for coming up with a great example or metaphor, you have an eye for detail,  and you can flex your perspective-taking skills to know what your readers might need or want to know. You’re comfortable reading and using academic jargon, but you can code-switch to a more informal writing style.
• You wouldn’t even think to use AI to answer our application questions, since no machine could express your thoughts as well as you can.
• Even if you aren’t sure you’re a great fit for this role, your friends are sure you’re perfect for it. Put aside that imposter syndrome!
• You have 10-12 hours available in the first 10 days of the month, at least 8 months of the year.
• You can communicate effectively and meet deadlines in a remote work environment with minimal direct supervision

You’re a licensed pediatric SLP with at least 3–5 years of clinical experience in a school or clinic setting.

The contract does not include a non-compete or non-solicitation. It does include a non-disclosure (which essentially means you'll be privy to e.g. projects happening at TISLP before the general public and will be required to keep it under wraps).

Not accepting CFs for this role.