SO, YOU WANNA BE A SPEECH PATHOLOGIST

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SO, YOU WANNA BE A SPEECH PATHOLOGIST

• Julia Hobbs, M.A., C.C.C.
• Melanie Hudson, M.A.,C.C.C.
• Barbara C. Moore, M.A., C.C.C.

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CONGRATULATIONS
YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY OF CHANGING LIVES
EVERY DAY
The privilege The challenge The
responsibility The rewards

• You have chosen an amazing profession!

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Ultimate and Primary Responsibility

• The Welfare
• of your
• Patients (Clients/Students)
• and their
• Families
• NOT TO BE TAKEN CASUALLY

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HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

• A stroll down memory lane..

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ASSOCIATION NAMES

• National Association of Teachers of Speech
• American Academy of Speech Correction (AASC 1925)
• American Society for the Study of Disorders of
  Speech (ASSOS) 1927
• American Speech Correction Association (ASCA)
  1934
• American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA)
  1947
• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
  (ASHA) 1978

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Well Respected Allied Health Specialty

• 1970s State Licensure began
• Currently all states but Colorado have licensure
• State Licensure and Certification Requirements
• Tremendous growth of the profession in all
  settings

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CURRENT CODE OF ETHICS

• We cannot guarantee cures
• Our therapeutic methods are public
  information

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LONG DISTINGUISHED HISTORY

• Many changes in a relatively short period
• of time
• You are part of a very distinguished profession

Be Proud!
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SO WHAT IS THIS THING CALLED..

• Speech- Language
• Pathology

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EVOLVED TO..

• Speech-Language Pathologists
• ASHA
• Special Interest Divisions (16)
• 130,000 members
• Located in all facilities providing any type of
  rehabilitation

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Where Are We Employed?

• 59 of certified speech-language pathologists
  work in educational facilities,
• 35 are employed in health care facilities
• 13 are employed in nonresidential health care
  facilities including home health, private
  practice offices and speech and hearing centers
• Also, there are over 1,200 persons who hold dual
  ASHA certification

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Where Are We Employed?

• 59 of certified speech-language pathologists
  work in educational facilities,
• 35 are employed in health care facilities
• 13 are employed in nonresidential health care
  facilities including home health, private
  practice offices and speech and hearing centers
• Also, there are over 1,200 persons who hold dual
  ASHA certification

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• Scientific aptitude, patience, emotional
  stability, tolerance, and persistence are
  necessary, as well as resourcefulness and
  imagination. Other essential traits include a
  commitment to work cooperatively with others and
  the ability to communicate effectively both
  orally and in writing.

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Nature of the Work

• Working with the full range of human
  communication and its disorders, speech-language
  pathologists
• Evaluate and diagnose speech, language,
  cognitive-communication and swallowing disorders.
  
• Treat speech, language, cognitive-communication an
  d swallowing disorders in individuals of all
  ages, from infants to the elderly.

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JOB vs. PROFESSION

• JOB
• a piece of work
• a small miscellaneous
• piece of work
• undertaken on order
• at a stated rate

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PROFESSION/PROFESSIONAL

• PROFESSION
• a calling requiring specialized knowledge and
  often long and intensive academic preparation
• PROFESSIONAL
• conforming to the ethical standards of a
  profession

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TWO MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

• ASHA Certification
• CLINICAL FELLOWSHIP

• State Licensure
• REQUIRED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• Submit required paperwork
• ..
• ..
• .

• Submit required paperwork
• ..
• ..
• .
• ..

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BE PREPARED

• Before you leave Graduate School learn about ASHA
  Certification requirements
• Know the State Licensure requirements for the
  state in which you will be working

Licensure paper work is critical and may delay
employment start date
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PROFESSIONAL WORK ETHIC

• It is incumbent on the speech-language
  pathologist or audiologist to be knowledgeable
  about federal and state laws, professional codes
  of ethics to which they must adhere (in addition
  to the ASHA Code of Ethics), and work-site
  specific procedures regarding the handling of
  patient information.
• Code of Ethics
• http//www.asha.org/docs/html/ET2003-00166.htm

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CLINICAL FELLOWSHIP

• Minimum of 9 months but can be as long as 48
  months
• 1260 hours of clinical practice
• REPRESENTS A MERE BEGINNING IN TERMS OF
  CONTINUATION OF LEARNING AND TRAINING

• ASHA GUIDELINES

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THE PURPOSE OF THE CLINICAL FELLOWSHIP EXPERIENCE

• Integration and application of the theoretical
  knowledge from academic training
• Evaluation of strengths and identification of
  limitations
• Development and refinement of clinical skills
  consistent with the Scope of Practice
• Advancement from constant supervision to
  independent practitioner
• www.asha.org/certification/Clinical-Fellowsh
  ip.htm

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    THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CF EXPERIENCE

• 36 weeks of full-time (35 hours per week)
  experience (or the equivalent part-time
  experience), totaling a minimum of 1260 hours.
  Part-time work can be completed, as long as the
  CF works more than 5 hours per week. Working more
  than 35 hours per week will not shorten the
  minimum requirement of 36 hours per week.
• Mentoring by an individual holding ASHA
  certification in speech-language pathology. It is
  the responsibility of the Clinical Fellow to
  verify certification of the mentoring SLP, and
  can do so by contacting the ASHA Action Center to
  verify at 1-800-498-2071.

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YOUR FIRST POSITION

• Very important to choose wisely
• Need time to treat patients from beginning to end
  of therapy

• HOWEVER your first position does not determine
  your entire career
• May want to change settings and populations
  during your career

Make a commitment and stick to it
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HOW TO SEARCH FOR A POSITION

• Preparing for your job search.

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YOUR RESUME

• Good Resume

• Poor Resume

• Goal Statement
• Educational History
• Professional Experience (listing dates and type
  of experience)
• Unique Training
• References

• Missing Information
• Vague Statements
• Excessive Verbiage
• Omission of References

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STEP 1RESUME AND COVER LETTER

• Send RESUME with COVER LETTER
• E-mail if possible or regular mail
• Or fax if requested
• Briefly define who you are, what you are looking
  for and what you can contribute
• Respond to letters, calls or e-mails you receive
  from prospective employers

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It only takes a minute

• Write a personalized COVER LETTER
• Can use repeatedly
• Change inside address
• Speaks volumes about your professional standards

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STEP 2PHONE CALL CONTACTS

• Phone call will be the first introduction to the
  employer and setting
• Take the time to find out who they are and what
  the job is all about
• Be honest and open, warm and friendly
• Dont waste your time or theirs

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STEP 3ARRANGING AN INTERVIEW

• If the job is appealing to you, let the employer
  know
• If you are interested, ask to arrange an
  interview
• How much time should you plan for your interview?
• What should you have in front of you?
• Would you have the opportunity of meeting and/or
  speaking with other staff members?

• ON Site Interviews
• Will you be able to observe treatment?
• Will you be touring the facilities?
• Where should you park?

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DO YOURSELF A FAVOR

• Schedule several interviews
• Allows you to consider various opportunities and
  experiences
• Be able to compare and contrast
• Find the RIGHT FIT!!
• It is like DATING..The Right Match

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Think About It.

• Cell phones, texting, and gum chewing

• PROFESSIONAL
• DRESS
• Doesnt have to be expensive
• Tasteful
• Professional
• You are making an impression

Well what do you think ?
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What should I say in a job interview?

• Ask questions about caseload, expectations,
  contact hours, conditions, materials, benefits,
  next review, CF Mentor
• What are the values of the particular setting
  what do they care about?
• Be prepared to discuss your goals strengths and
  areas for growth
• If you want the job, tell the employer on the
  spot.
• Make a follow-up plan if you are interested in
  the position.
• They may not be able to HOLD the position
• Reach an agreement about dates
• Be sure to send a thank- you note or e-mail

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YOUR JOB SEARCH

• Practical Information you should know and think
  about.

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SCHOOL BASED SETTING

• Largest number of speech pathologists
• Salary, benefits and daily schedule specific to
  setting
• Wide variety of disorders in caseload
• Therapy time with children may be in classroom
  setting
• Interaction with educators

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HOSPITALS

• Team model with physicians and other allied
  health specialists
• In-Patient and Out-Patient settings may vary
• Medical model for documentation
• Opportunity for creating awareness of our
  profession in medical community

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REHAB AGENCIES

• Settings vary
• Acute cases
• Long-term cases
• Intermediate care
• May travel to several settings
• May or may not have supervision or interaction
  with colleagues

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LARGE CORPORATE AGENCIES

• Wide variety of settings
• Agency is the employer
• May be adult or pediatric
• Flexibility to relocate periodically while
  maintaining benefits

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PRIVATE PRACTICES

• Similar model to medical or dental private
  practice
• Similar to university clinic
• Size of practice will vary (2 to 20 clinicians)
• Follows a medical model
• Settings may vary
• Salary vs. productivity concerns

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YOUR FIRST JOB

• I think I found the job I want!

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MONEY ISNT EVERYTHING

• Find a balance between salary and professional
  satisfaction
• Carefully weigh all of the variables
• Analyze salary differential monthly difference
  may be smaller than you think
• Look at the Benefits Package

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DOING THE MATH

• Examine the difference in two job offers
• First 57,000.00 annual salary
• Second 60,000.00 annual salary
• First 57K1187.50 week 27.40 hour
• Second 60K1250.00 week 28.84 hour
• Differential of 3,000.00 per year which is
• 250.00 per month/62.50 per week/
• 125.00 per paycheck

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So Think About It Carefully

• Of course Money is Money and you know your budget
  and needs
• However, JOB SATISFACTION is more important
• The days can become very long if you are not happy

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BENEFITS PACKAGE

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Vacation
• Sick Leave
• Continuing Education
• Malpractice Insurance

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Okay, I think this is the job I want

• Make sure it is a good match!
• Imagine your professional life a few years down
  the road..
• Call the prospective employer
• Express excitement and gratitude

Be clear about the Start Date, Salary, Benefits,
and any other Loose Ends
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And then.

• Check out your closet ..
• Call your parents
• And you are good to go!!! ?

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TRANSITION FROM STUDENT TO PROFESSIONAL

• THINK as a postgraduate..
• Although the transition may be in a weekend
• Pay attention to the surroundings and everyone
  around you

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Yes there is DRESS CODE

• Watch the skin exposure?
• You will be sitting in awkward positions (tattoos
  and cleavage)
• Do you want to be taken seriously?

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ASK ABOUT DRESS PREFERENCES

• Some settings are more casual/business-casual
• than others
• Tasteful and Professional
• Minimal expense can provide a professional
  wardrobe
• Comfortable

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SETTLING IN TO THAT WONDERFUL NEW JOB!

• Your goals should include

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PATIENT CARE

• Expand Clinical Techniques and Skills
• Develop Materials Utilize Published Materials
• Think through Treatment Plans
• Constantly search for new ideas and strategies

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BEING PART OF A TEAM

• Being an effective part of a TEAM
• The Staff you are joining
• Share information and ideas
• Make a contribution
• Seek out Continuing Education outside of work
  hours (expense for employer)

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WORKING TOGETHER
EMOTIONAL TONE SCALE

• Maintain professional demeanor
• Be careful about female gossip stuff
• Learn to work with your colleagues.
• We dont usually get to choose the rest of the
  Staff

Be the mature and wise one...
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Being a Keen Observer

• Watch every senior clinician you can find
• Learn from therapy goals techniques you see
• Learn from styles you see
• Learn from mistakes you see
• Constantly evolving.

Be a Copy Cat!! (we all are)
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CLINICAL FELLOWSHIP

• What you want it to be
• What your employer wants it to be
• You ARE the low man on the Totem Pole
• Enjoy the spot and learn, observe and absorb
  everything you can
• CF will be over before you know it

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BEING A GOOD CLINICIAN

• More than textbook knowledge
• Facts and technical information
• Only a beginning.
• Now apply to patients and affect changes

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Report Writing

• Find out what is expected in your job setting
• Dont try and change the format which is in place
• However, you may have suggestions you can offer
  (later)
• Protocol? Final proof read??
• Use your best editing skills!

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INSIGHTS AND WISDOM

• Insights for NEW CLINICIANS.

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YOUR PERSONAL STYLE

• Watch your loudness
• Watch your rate
• Become a Senior Statesman over night
• Being too over zealous belies your inexperience
• Find a new, professional POSTURING

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Authority or Amateur?

• We tend to be loud and enthusiastic as a
  profession
• Develop your own balance of enthusiasm and YET
  being an authority figure

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INSTILL CONFIDENCE DESPITE YOUR AGE or EXPERIENCE

• Remember, you ARE the expert re communication
  and their child
• Practice in front of a mirror to assume a
  professional posture if you need to
• Use phrases, In my experience
• In our clinic, we always find
• BE A GOOD LISTENER

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HANDLING QUESTIONS

• You will be asked many questions
• Easy to RUSH to find the answer
• Stay calmyou will look young, inexperienced and
  insecure
• Some strategies to think about.

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ANSWERING QUESTIONS

• WITH A QUESTION
• Why do you ask?
• What do you mean?
• What is this related to?
• What is the basis of your concern?
• (buy yourself some time to research information
  and get help from supervisor if needed)

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WHEN ASKED A DIFFICULT QUESTION

• DONT PANIC

• Dont rush to have a quick answer..take time and
  ask the nature of the question
• Answer a question with a question
• Dont panic be thoughtful in your approach
• Let me get back to you on that issue.
• Check with supervisor for answer..always a
  good place to start

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DOOR KNOB STATEMENTS

• Make sure the setting is appropriate (not as they
  are walking out the door)
• Beware of the. DOOR KNOB QUESTIONS/STATEMENTS
  
• As they walk out the door
• OH BY THE WAY

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Interpreting Test Results

• Dont let families pressure you asking for
  results at inappropriate times
• Plan a Debriefing Session to give appropriate
  attention to the topic
• Test results are complicated, full of our jargon
  and need to be presented in a conference format
• Quiet, focused and unrushed

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ITS YOUR RELATIONSHIP

• DEFINE WHO YOU ARE WITH PATIENTS AND PARENTS
• It is your responsibility
• Establish boundaries
• Make your expectations clear
• Get assistance from supervisors!

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MOTHER AND CHILD

• Who takes the child by he hand, takes the mother
  by the heart
• DANISH PROVERB

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WORKING WITH FAMILY MEMBERSFor Children or Adults

• Dont be intimidated about your inexperience
• YOU are the professional
• Parents (especially Moms) can be neurotic where
  their children are concerned
• Child is an extension of Mothers ego
• Make endearing statements about child let
  parent know you dig the child
• Let the parent know you recognize just who the
  child is you see his uniqueness

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REMEMBER..

• Empathy statements go a long way (I dont know
  how you manage all that you do as a Mom)

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WORKING MOMS

• Never underestimate the internal conflict of the
  WORKING MOM
• The challenge is trying to manage
• IT ALL
• Take time to call periodically to update
• You are helping the mother actually managing IT
  ALL
• Strategies will be different because it is
  primarily a phone relationship
• The RELATIONSHIP itself is the key

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We Cant Fix Everyone.

• We like to think we can
• Be realistic
• Watch your own exhaustion
• It can lead to burn-out

May have to adjust your expectations
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REMAIN OBJECTIVE

• Some patients will touch your heart more than
  others child or adult
• Watch your emotional involvement
• Success will be different for every patient.

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WHAT MAKES A SUCCESSFUL CLINICIAN

• Strategies and Techniques

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KNOW YOUR PATIENTS

• Who is the child ?
• What are the major interests ?
• What motivates the patient ?
• How much reinforcement and support is needed ?

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KNOW THE ESSENTIAL TECHNICAL
INFORMATION

• Be prepared to find new therapy ideas
• Ongoing process
• You are constantly searching and planning
• Utilize mixture of resources (articles, books,
  old notes, asking colleagues and supervisors)

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INSTILL PATIENT CONFIDENCE IN YOU

• Act as though you know what you are doing.
• Then find outand be sure of where you are going
• You ARE the expert and you can take good care of
  them

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ALWAYS HAVE A BACK-UP PLAN

• Dont panic when something does not work
• Try something you have never thought of before
• Know your expected outcome (behaviorally and
  speech/language)
• Be creative!!

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YOU ARE TREATING THE TOTAL FAMILY

• Know the family (even those who are not in the
  room)
• Know the dynamics of the family it will impact
  compliance
• BEST STRATEGY for communicating with the family
• Be prepared for ongoing changes in strategy
• Keep your antenna up!

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COMPLETE THERAPY AS FAST AS YOU CAN

• Be thorough
• Be efficient and move as swiftly as you can
• Keep a good momentum going
• Always be moving forward
• May need to stage treatment and return later
• Be aware of patient attitude

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PATIENT BURN-OUT

• It is your job to PREVENT
• Be sensitive to momentum
• Patients only give you a number of goodwill
  chips
• Keep it alive, interesting and fun!
• FREQUENCY of sessions may be a factor

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Ask about Food Items

• Be VERY CAREFUL
• Ask parents before giving child any food
  substance
• Food allergies?
• Special diet considerations?
• Anti-sugar?
• Avoid sugar as reward
• Shows your respect for them

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PROFESSIONALbehavior and attitude

• Recognize the Power of the RELATIONSHIP

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FROM THE FIRST MEETING

• Building a Relationship
• Which will impact your success
• Technical Skills and Education are only just the
  beginning..

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BOUNDARIES

• Professional Relationship
• Not a Friendship

• No birthday parties
• No sporting events
• No coffee or lunch

Blurring the Boundaries
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PROFESSIONAL BOUNDARIES

• Receiving gifts-Holidays are typical
• However.they should not even know your birthday
• Beware of the position in which you are being
  placed..

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LOSING YOUR POWERAS A PROFESSIONAL

• Understand the power of your actions
• You cant become a family friend and still be the
  professional taking care of the child
• Blurring the boundaries will lessen your

PROFESSIONAL POWER AND AUTHORITY
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This is not about your need to be liked..

• Be careful what you REVEAL about yourself..
• Yes, you need to be perceived as warm and caring
• But you ARE THE AUTHORITY

You are not a friend, you are a professional!!
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YOU HAVE CHOSEN

• One of the GIVING PROFESSIONS
• The very nature of the work is giving, taking
  care of others, teaching skills they didnt have
  before
• You are naturally People Oriented and have a
  desire to please
• You must consciously work at finding a balance

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But how do I know I am doing a good job..??

• Your Approval Quotient

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YOU GAGE YOUR SUCCESS BY

• PROGRESS of your patients
• COMPLIANCE from the patient and family

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Have a complete life outside of Speech
Pathology

• Physical Exercise
• Nutrition
• Wellness and Prevention
• Sleep
• Have some fun!!! (out of your routine)

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SOME FINAL ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
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ABANDONING YOUR CASELOAD

• Job-Hopping does not benefit you or your
  patients
• Realize the effects on EVERYONE

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REMEMBER..

• STAY WITH A JOB UNTIL THERE IS ADEQUATE
  COVERAGE A REPLACEMENT FOR CONTINUITY OF CARE
• Have Transition Sessions with the patients
• Leave all paperwork in order and current
  Treatment Plans for your replacement
• Job-Hopping should be taken very seriously
• Each step in your career is very important
• What will your Resume look like??

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ASHA Statement

• When clinicians leave a caseload without
  coverage by an appropriately qualified
  professional

• CLIENT ABANDONMENT

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• A professional who abandons her or his clients
  without making effective efforts to provide for
  their continuing care violates the first
  principle of the ASHA Code of Ethics
  Individuals shall honor their responsibility to
  hold paramount the welfare of persons they serve
  professionally.
• http//www.asha.org/docs/html/ET2008-00286.html

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EXAMPLES OF MISCONDUCT

• 1. Failing to give sufficient notice to employers
  when leaving a position
• 2. Failing to work out a plan (who will notify
  clients and when)
• 3. Attempting to provide continuing services by
  correspondence alone
• 4. Failing to complete all remaining reports,
  paperwork and records

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• 5. Removing materials, records, protocols and
  other materials without consent of administrator
  or employer
• Maligning, in the presence of clients, the
  facility or organization the professional is
  leaving
• 7. Recruiting clients for the new employment
  setting (violates Principle III. Rule C)
• Individuals shall refer those served
  professionally solely on the basis of the
  interest of those being referred and not on any
  personal financial interest.

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HIPPA STATEMENT

• Remember that all medical information regarding
  your patients is considered protected and must
  be kept private
• Patient Charts must be filed in a secure location
• Any discussions about treatment should take place
  in private
• All patient should have a signed release on file
  before medical records are sent

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What does this mean on a daily basis ?

• Charts and Patient Records-belong to the patient
• Verbal and/or written discussions occur ONLY with
  patient/parent permission
• Waiting Room Chatter is included!

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WHAT ARE YOUR INTERESTS.Today and for the
Future

• Be open to learning about all types of
  communication disorders
• Dont close the door on the opportunity to learn
  new information
• You may be surprised!

Be a good Generalist first and then specialize
102
SOME FINAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Is this the career for you?

103
THIS IS NOT THE PLACE FOR A

• CASUAL CAREER COMMITMENT

104
AFTER ALL

• You CHANGE lives every day
• You are responsible for your patients quality
  of life

105
THERE IS MUCH TO LEARN

• You have a long and wonderful career ahead of you
• Be patient!
• Your career is a
• Work in Progress

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YOU HAVE CHOSEN A FABULOUS CAREER..

• YEARS OF EXCITEMENT, PERSONAL AND
  PROFESSIONAL GRATIFICATION AWAIT YOU!!
• You will be amazed at the
• privilege and challenges
• Inherent in being a..

• Speech Pathologist!!

107
ARE YOU PREPARED FOR

• The level of personal and professional
  commitment which makes a truly outstanding
• Speech-Language Pathologist

108
So You Wanna Be a Speech Pathologist

• CONGRATULATIONS!!