CFY-SLP

Position Summary: The CFY-SLP is a mentored professional experience that begins after the completion of academic course work and clinical practicum. The goal of the CFY is to allow the Clinical Fellow to transition between being a student enrolled in a communication sciences and disorders (CSD) program and being an independent provider of speech-language pathology clinical services.

The purpose of the CFY is to integrate and apply the knowledge from academic education and clinical training, evaluate strengths and identify limitations, develop and refine clinical skills consistent with the Scope of Practice in Speech-Language Pathology, and advance the Clinical Fellow from needing constant supervision to being an independent practitioner.

Under the guidance of a CCC-SLP, the CFY-SLP will support students with special communicative needs in maximizing their communication abilities. This includes providing assistance to speech-language delayed/impaired students in reaching their potential in both listening comprehension and oral expression. The employee also works closely with the student's educational team and family to coordinate services effectively.

Duties and Responsibilities: Under the guidance of a CCC-SLP, the CFY-SLP will assist with organizing school programs, work with others to achieve goals, coordinate program services with other student services, and keep records according to rules and ethical standards. They also assist with  conducting screening and testing, analyzing information, and make recommendations for programs and services. They assist with the development of individual education plans for each eligible child in collaboration with the teacher, parent, LEA representative, and other professionals. Additionally, they assist with planning therapy using appropriate tools and techniques, manage time and resources, promote good relationships, and seek professional growth. The CFY-SLP also assists the CCC-SLP with providing consultation, using related research, and making recommendations and referrals for services. They also perform other related tasks as needed.

Employment and Education Standards: As a CFY-SLP, you must work at least 36 weeks and 1,260 hours to meet the ASHA CF experience requirement. In addition, you must work at least 5 hours per week to be able to count the hours/week toward the minimum requirement. Travel, lunch, vacations or holidays, leaves of absence, and other forms of paid or unpaid time off cannot be counted toward your number of hours worked per week. The CF experience should be divided into 3 segments with each segment representing one-third of the total. Each third should include the observations and supervisory activities that are required by the CF mentor.

• The CF cannot begin until you have completed all required graduate credit hours, academic coursework, and clinical experiences necessary.

• Working more than 35 hours per week does not shorten the length of the CF experience.

• The Clinical Fellow is responsible for tracking their hours worked per week.

• The CF experience must be completed within four years (48 months) from the date the CF began. 

Licenses and Certifications: Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. Current registration as an SLP with North Carolina Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and must maintain current registration throughout employment in this classification.

Knowledge of: Thorough knowledge of the theory, principles and methods of speech pathology and their proper application in the educational environment. Considerable knowledge of appropriate evaluating tools. Considerable knowledge of the equipment and assistive technology available to use in therapy. Considerable knowledge of current literature, trends and developments in the field of speech pathology. General knowledge of the principles of organization and administration. Skill in directly providing a wide range of treatment activities.

Ability to: Ability to select and administer appropriate assessment and treatment methods. Ability to plan, coordinate and conduct on-the-job training and continuing education for a variety of individuals. Ability to screen, evaluate and provide required speech pathology services. Ability to develop and implement individualized programs. Ability to accurately document sessions. Ability to maintain adequate inventory of supplies. Ability to maintain complete and accurate records and to develop simple reports from those records. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.

Physical Requirements: Essential duties require, but are not limited to, the following physical abilities: Sit at a desk, table, on low chairs, on the floor or on mats, or in classrooms of various configurations for extended periods of time. See, read and distinguish colors, a computer screen, educational materials, books and other printed matter, with or without vision aids. Manual dexterity to enter data into a computer, and to perform assigned classroom tasks using both hands. Hear and understand speech at normal classroom levels and outdoors, and to hear and understand speech on the telephone. Speak in audible tones so that others may understand clearly in normal classrooms, outdoors, and on the telephone. Move quickly on uneven terrain, play yards, and school grounds. Push wheelchairs or pull wagons with students. Physical agility to lift up to 25 pounds to shoulder height and 50 pounds to waist height; and to bend, stoop, sit on the floor, climb stairs, walk and reach overhead. Mental acuity to perform the essential functions of this position in an accurate, neat, and timely fashion; to make good judgments and decisions; and to evaluate the results of decisions and judgments.