In graduate school, our program had us complete three semesters of on-campus clinic, a SNF group activity rotation, a special needs baseball camp, a science/storytelling camp, and an on-campus preschool rotation. In addition we were placed in a “mini” medical internship while we still took classes, then two full-time internships 1. in a local school district and 2. another medical placement. (**Here’s when my love for the seeing the lifespan originates from- see my post for more details)
My ‘mini’ medical internship- some weren’t fortunate enough to get a true medical placement- was a blessing and a phenomenal experience. My internship consisted of a small town acute care, outpatient clinic (peds and adults!!!), SNF, LTACH, and home health combination. I LOVED IT! I actually loved it so much that I begged to come back for my second “full time” medical internship and the SLP/university agreed.
Next, I was placed at an elementary school. I enjoyed my experience and learned how challenging it is to do effective therapy with a large caseload. I struggled with group management and loved when I got to do more 1:1 sessions. I loved being with the children and they always kept me laughing and entertained.
As my last placement before graduation, I returned to my “unicorn” of a medical placement and got to see the entire lifespan once again. I felt like I got to see it all and I will forever be thankful for that experience…it’s also one of the reasons why I always take a student when asked because I know my current workplace offers that variety of patients like I got.
When I was searching for a CFY opportunity, I wanted to find a job where I could treat patients across the lifespan. I traveled across the country and worked for a home health private company and I got to see the entire lifespan!! I absolutely LOVED IT.
The company was based in Silicon Valley, CA. For those of you who don’t know anything about that area, it is the home to big tech companies, expensive, and BEAUTIFUL. It’s close to San Francisco and includes areas of San Jose and Palo Alto. My caseload ranged from early intervention under 3 (the company had a contract with the local regional center), pediatric language, pediatric articulation, pediatric apraxia/AAC, adult accent reduction, and adult voice. I loved my caseload- I even got to go into Google corporate and Google’s exclusive preschools to provide speech therapy!!! I was learning so many cultures, how to sell therapy/myself, and so many different therapy techniques.
My personal life brought me back to the east coast and I found my current job. I work for a healthcare system- mostly outpatient. I also cover acute care, MBSS, and NICU (**see my UPCOMING post on how to become a NICU SLP!!). I also cover another facilities NICU about once a month and have been known to go to our rural swing-bed rehab facility every once in a while too. I love what I do and it keeps me wanting to learn more for my patients. My team is amazing- I am one of seven speech therapists on my team and I am in constant contact with them trying to collaborate.
TIP: WANT TO FIND A JOB YOU LOVE??? Find a team that you love to work with and patients that keep reminding you of why you chose the wonderful field of speech-language pathology.