Features Overview
Start a Private Practice Checklist
First….Plan
Do some journaling.
What type of Speech Pathologist are you? Are you more bubbly or more calm? What is your therapy style? What is your organizational style? What are your professional strengths? What are your professional weaknesses?
Think about previous jobs - what did you love and want to keep? What did you hate and want to change?
What did your previous clients like about your therapy?
What diagnoses do you enjoy treating? Are there any you don’t want to treat / will refer out?
What ages do you enjoy treating? Any that you will refer out?
(remember…good business owners work to their strengths. Providing therapy you aren’t qualified for or don’t enjoy won’t result in happy clients and the oh-so-important “word of mouth” referrals.
Create ideal client avatars - These will help you design your practice, as well as guide your marketing decisions.
What types of problems do they have?
How do their communication challenges affect their life?
what do I offer that can help them?
What are their expectations as far as cost, location, hours, accessibility
Write out a basic business plan.
Choose a Business Name - Make sure it’s available in your state, not similar to competitors, available website and social media handles. Enjoy saying it smoothly - (you’ll be saying it alot!)
Choose a Business Structure - LLC is common - talk with a CPA on SCORP vs LLC taxation. Sole propritor is fine if you intend to stay small / lower profits.
Choose your location and service-delivery model.
Liability Insurance is a must.
Make sure you are appropriately licensed in your state
Open business bank accounts - Consider a local Credit Union - lower fees, better customer service, and if you regularly do your banking in person, it can be good networking.
Set up your accounting system. At minimum a spreadsheet- it’s free but requires good organizational skills. Quickbooks is my preferred as it saves me time and stress.
Create your brand - colors, image, “feel” that will appeal to your target clients and referral sources.
Create a website. At minimum a Google Business page. Social media FB page is not sufficient and often hacked. Social media is good for brand awareness, marketing, adding to your online presence, but is not sufficient to demonstrate your professionalism.
Fill your website with quality, relevant content attracting your target clients in your target geographical area. SEO is key here.
Get your equipment. Tests, paper, pens, therapy tools.
Business systems.
Phone number with voicemail script.
Letterhead
files/record keeping system (I use Google Drive with my paid business Google Workspace account with BAA)
Client intake forms
HIPAA forms
Good Faith Estimates
Templates for Evals, treatment notes, discharges,
Forms for Infection Control
HIPAA policies.
Fax Number
Do you need any more training? SCORE
Know your key legal risks and have policies to manage them. Talking to a lawyer can be helpful. This is particularly important for what’s legal, what’s not for charging.
Set your fee schedule.
Create your networking Plan.
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Feature 3
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