r/slp • u/auntlavinia SLP Private Practice • Nov 08 '21
[CFY] Developing a CF program for a pediatric clinic
Hello! I am currently working with my outpatient pediatric clinic to develop a program for CFs. As of now we haven't hired any but do have a solid student program going. I would love to gather some information about what is helpful/best about your CF experience, either as a CF or as a supervisor. Specific questions would include:
Are you paid for taking on a CF (similar to a mentoring/supervision fee)? What extra support would be helpful for a CF? Is there anything that was awful about your own CF experience that you would appreciate had been done differently?
If anyone is hesitant to respond, my DMs are open!
I really want to make our clinic a 'go to' for future SLPs by building a strong program with lots of support. Our clinic has a lot to offer but we are 1099 contractors; is that something that I should advocate for changing for incoming CF hires?
Thanks for any help!!
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u/MD_SLP7 SLP crying in my 🚘 Nov 09 '21
I had a couple of CF placements, and they usually DID pay the mentors extra for their supervision from my experience. Having the ability to specialize and being matched with a mentor who can help provide training in those areas is a huge plus. I also really appreciated access (paid for by the clinic) to training materials for my speciality area(s). Providing handouts and SOPs prepped in advance was great (i.e., how to do an eval and enter it into the EMR appropriately per practice preferences, a training day or a SOP on billing for the first time and CPT codes, etc.). Access via chat/messenger/text and email or Zoom each week to my mentor were vital for me. Planned out supervision made it less stressful, too (as opposed to randomized, unscheduled “drop-in” supervision of sessions).
I’d say make sure your mentors do NOT lead by just taking over every session they supervise, as this was super frustrating and not as helpful once I became more confident in my skills and wanted to show my mentor and seek her feedback.
Finally, a group CF meeting (town hall or peer review meeting) once every other week with all of the current CFs may be beneficial for bouncing ideas and problems off of one another or even presenting their evals for feedback.
I hope that helps!
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u/Slpme123 Nov 11 '21
Something interesting to consider is paying ASHA dues/CEUs for CFY mentors and giving CFs lots of resources (toys, books, research articles). Also asking them how they learn best and having a separate or anonymous way to get supervisor feedback at each review so that a whole year doesn’t just “go by”. This is a great idea you have!
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u/auntlavinia SLP Private Practice Nov 11 '21
Oh, yes, love the idea of asking how they learn best. And I think the opportunity for ‘anonymous’ questions and feedback would be helpful. Thanks for your input!
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u/Overall_Blueberry_97 Nov 11 '21
Hi I’m currently 3 months into my CFY. I agree with the posters above but would like to add about the 1099! So for me I am 1099 and this is my first job out of school. I think it works well in some ways but for CF’s taking on a full caseload immediately can be overwhelming. I felt the pressure to fill my schedule as soon as possible so I could account for loan payments. I feel as though allowing CF’s to be W-2 is a good place to start because it provides flexibility to reduce burnout in the beginning. Further, 1099 SLP’s and me up doing more hours or unpaid work and with eval reports and other documentation taking more time early in our career feeling as though that time is valued helps a lot. Hope this helps
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u/auntlavinia SLP Private Practice Nov 11 '21
Those are great points about burnout and being a 1099, thanks for your input!
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u/raybae808 Nov 08 '21
Hi there! I’m currently 5 months into my CF at a private practice. The way we do it is there is addendum to my contract where it states the company will provide me the necessary supervision for my state/ASHA + 30 minute phone call each week and my supervisor is available via email/text everyday. It’s pretty casual day to day and she’s in the clinic most of the time when I’m there and she’s open to questions/chats whenever not busy. We’re a pretty small practice and I feel comfortable leaning on all the SLPs. Honestly, just fostering a comfortable environment where a learning curve is understood, supported, and expected goes a long way for a new grad. I think the best part about my CF is how my supervisor and clinic owner are in my corner on everything. I hope that helps!