As a Human Communication Disorders Specialist in the Department of National Defence, you will provide expert assessment, diagnosis, and treatment services for communication and swallowing disorders affecting Canadian Armed Forces members, veterans, and their families. This role combines clinical expertise with military healthcare delivery, working within the Defence Healthcare Services system to support the health and operational readiness of our personnel. You will conduct comprehensive evaluations, develop individualized treatment plans, and deliver evidence-based interventions in both clinical and operational settings.
Your responsibilities will include assessing patients with speech, language, hearing, and swallowing disorders; recommending and fitting assistive devices where appropriate; collaborating with interdisciplinary healthcare teams; maintaining detailed clinical documentation; and staying current with advances in communication sciences and disorders. You may work in military hospitals, clinics, or field settings, and may provide services to patients ranging from active duty personnel to retirees and family members. Your work directly contributes to helping service members maintain communication abilities essential to their operational effectiveness and quality of life.
You will work in a dynamic healthcare environment that values both clinical excellence and military culture awareness. The role offers the opportunity to serve those who have served Canada while utilizing specialized clinical skills in a unique setting that combines modern healthcare practices with military operational requirements.
Key Responsibilities
Provide general health care and social services services to clients and patients, Assess needs and develop treatment or service plans, Maintain accurate clinical and case records, Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver care
Required Skills
Clinical skills, Patient/client assessment, Empathy and communication, Record-keeping, Interdisciplinary collaboration, Technical proficiency, Attention to detail, Collaboration, Continuous learning
Typical Education
Post-secondary education or equivalent experience relevant to the position
Training
To qualify for this position, you must hold a bachelor's degree or higher in speech-language pathology, audiology, or a related communication sciences field from an accredited program. Most candidates will have completed a master's degree in speech-language pathology or audiology, which is increasingly the standard entry-level qualification in Canada. You must be eligible for provincial licensure or registration as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist in the province where you will work. Certification from Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC) or equivalent professional credentials is required or expected shortly after hire. Current membership in your provincial regulatory college is mandatory. You may be required to obtain or maintain specific certifications in areas such as swallowing disorders (dysphagia), hearing aid fitting, or other specialized assessment techniques. The DND provides professional development opportunities to maintain clinical competencies, pursue additional certifications, and stay informed about advances in communication disorders treatment. You will have access to continuing education support and may be encouraged to pursue specialized training relevant to military populations, including understanding service-related hearing loss, traumatic brain injury communication effects, and psychological trauma impacts on communication.
Entry Plans
Entry to this career in the Canadian Armed Forces civilian workforce typically occurs through advertised Public Service Commission competitions open to Canadian citizens. These competitions may be posted as specific competitions for individual positions or as part of larger recruitment pools that feed multiple positions across the country. You can monitor job opportunities through the Government of Canada Job Bank (jobs.gc.ca) and the DND civilian recruitment website. Some positions may be filled through priority lists established from previous competitions in the same classification. If you are a recent graduate, you may be eligible for entry through the Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP) or the Post-Secondary Recruitment Campaign (PSRC), which can lead to permanent positions. Lateral moves are possible if you are already employed in the federal Public Service and meet the qualifications. You may also enter through internal competitions if you are currently working for the DND in another civilian role. Networking with current DND healthcare professionals and staying informed about recruitment timelines can help you identify opportunities early.
Part-Time Options
Part-time and flexible work arrangements may be available depending on the specific position and organizational needs, though most positions are full-time to ensure continuity of patient care and clinic operations. Telework or remote work options are typically limited due to the clinical nature of this role, which requires direct patient interaction and access to specialized equipment and clinical facilities. However, administrative tasks, documentation review, and some professional development activities may be completed remotely. Job sharing arrangements have been explored in some healthcare settings within the DND. Eligibility for flexible schedules, compressed work weeks, or part-time arrangements should be discussed during the recruitment and hiring process, as availability depends on operational requirements of the specific clinic or healthcare facility. The DND is committed to work-life balance and may accommodate requests where operationally feasible. Veterans and public service employees with family responsibilities may have additional support through DND family services and employee assistance programs.
