So, you’ve been asked to mentor a Clinical Fellow (CF). If it’s your first time mentoring, there is a lot you need to know and prepare for to be the best mentor possible – which is what your CF deserves! Read on for helpful tips, tricks, and information about mentoring an SLPCF!
Who Can Mentor?
Not every SLP can and should mentor a CF. According to ASHA, “if the clinical fellow expects to use the hours/experiences to apply for ASHA certification, the mentoring SLP must be an individual
- who holds a current CCC-SLP;
- whose ASHA certification is maintained throughout the entire CF experience;
- who is not related in any manner to the clinical fellow.”
Also, you will have many roles and responsibilities while mentoring. You will provide important guidance, mentoring, and feedback to the CF. Also, as you may remember from being a CF, it is a huge learning and development year for a new SLP. As the mentor, you will assist a CF in developing their independent clinical skills. You are also responsible for ongoing formal evaluations, using the Clinical Fellowship Skills Inventory.
Also, there are required mentoring obligations including 6 hours of direct supervision per segment (1/3 of the length of the CFY) and 6 indirect monitoring activities per segment. Indirect monitoring involves activities like reviewing reports/plans/paperwork, monitoring the CF during IEP or other meetings, and/or consulting with their colleagues or clients/families. After the CFY is complete, you will need to complete and submit the Clinical Fellowship Report and Rating Form to ASHA within 4 weeks of the CFY completion date.
Mentor Galore
On top of the technical requirements, there is the self-reflection and learning required to effectively mentor/coach other professionals. Think about administrators, evaluators, and mentors that you have had in your career. What made them good supervisors, coaches, and mentors to you? What could they have done differently? Thinking about supervisors in your career will help you to decide if you have what it takes to effectively mentor/supervise a CF.
While these are not “mandated” qualifications, most successful CF Mentors will
- have several years of experience in the setting they are a mentor in. My first CF mentoring will happen during my 9th year. You do not have to wait that long, but you should feel strong and confident in your population and location to take on mentoring.
- be truly available – Yes, you will need to do 12 hours of supervision per segment (approximately 1 hour per week over 36 weeks – totaling 36+ hours). This means that you need to have the time to “spare”. If you cannot spare an hour a week plus travel time to your CF, you should not mentor. Also, if you are asked to mentor more than one CF – make sure you do the math for that time commitment and make sure it works in your schedule.
- LEARN! You are not going to be a perfect Mentor. Reach out to other SLPs who have been a mentor – take PD – read some books. As soon as you know you’ll have a CF, get crackin’!
Other Tips for Mentoring:
- Approach each mentorship individually – Every mentor/mentee relationship is unique. It is important to take the time to assess your own style and preparation.
- Determine expectations with your mentee before you begin. Sit down together and go over expectations about what your mentee needs, what you will provide, and any mentorship styles you have to be on the same page.
- Get to know your mentee. When you understand your mentee as a person, you will likely find it easier to provide feedback and assistance in a style that works for both of you. Also, if your mentee knows you as a person, they will likely be more receptive to feedback from you.
- Open communication is important. Find out what forms of communication work the best for both of you (phone, e-mail, text, etc.). Also, how frequently does your mentee want communication from you and how often can you commit to communicating with them?
- Find balance. There is a tricky balance between too distant and hovering. Your CF mentee needs room and confidence to figure out their personal therapy style but may also need reassurances from you as well as some cheerleading. We all need to be told that we aren’t messing it up too badly in our first year. You may also need to be comfortable letting your mentee know if/when they need to improve or change something. It’s a balance – communication will help!
- Listen! People who listen actively don’t simply sit back and hear words – They take notes, ask questions, repeat what they’ve heard to ensure understanding, provide non-verbal gestures, etc. This will help your CF to feel heard and will help you to more fully understand and respond to their needs.
- Lead by example! Be open to observations from your mentee but also make sure you are on top of your responsibilities with your caseload and at your facility. You want to make sure that you are on top of it… set a good example for your CF to aspire to. You don’t have to be perfect, but you do need to be doing your job effectively.
Resources for Mentors
SLP Clinical Fellowship Binder
Clinical Fellowship Skills Inventory (CFSI)
Completing the Clinical Fellowship Experience
SLPCF Report and Ratings Form: How to Avoid Common Errors
Issues in Ethics: Responsibilities of Individuals Who Mentor CFs in Speech-Language Pathology
NSSLHA Blog – Clinical Fellowship Questions? We’ve Got Answers.
Everything You Need to Know About the SLP Post-Graduate Clinical Fellowship Requirement
Do you have some mentor words of wisdom? Share below so we can all learn from your experience too!
Leave a Reply