I went in today to a private speech & language clinic to see about this Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA, called "SLiPA") job & I got it, PLUS I'll get the clinical supervision I'll need while in the SLPA 12-wk program...if I'm accepted, that is. (Whether I'm accepted or not, I still get the job.) I start this fall for roughly 3 mos to fill in for the current SLPA who'll be on maternity leave. It's a tiny clinic (only 3 employees), so probably not a place I'll end up getting a permanent job at, but it's nice to see a different work setting other than a school district.
Thanks so much guys! I had only talked on the phone once w/ the owner/SLP & it sounded pretty much like I had the job then. sunshine*inc, I don't know in total yet. So far today, I observed & already helped out some w/ 3 kids. Most of the clients are ages 2-4. One, I was told is 18. I'll always work 1-on-1 w/ them for an hr in a small therapy rm. My schedule will usually be M-Th 9am - about 4:30pm, but I was told if I want to come in a little earlier/later, I can. In mid-July, I'll go in for a day or two & see the caseload & what they're practicing. This job will really look nice on my resume & when it's over, I certainly plan to ask for a letter of rec. The drive is 40 min 1-way, which is farther than I'm used to, but it's easy driving, just a straight shot on a certain fwy, nothing complicated & inconvenient. All 3 ladies are really nice. I start 8/30, I'm looking forward to this!
JaimeMarie, that's nice. Just out of curiosity, what made you decide not to go down the SLP route & work up & go to school to be an SLP because I see that you're a kinder teacher?
I already had my el ed degree. I was just waiting for a teaching position. I was an aide for four years before landing a teaching position. I did look into going back to school but they said I would have to start all over with an undergrad. degree and get a masters. I didn't think another six years full time in college was a good idea! That would have taken me until this year!
I see. Well, actually, I don't hv an undergrad degree in the field either...it's in behavioral sci & many (don't know about all) universitites give you a list of prereq courses to tk if your undergrad major isn't in the field. I only had to tk 8 courses, so as you can tell, that's not another 4 yrs of school, yet I can say I hv an equivalency of that in completed coursework.
I did ask what I would have to take. And it did end up being pretty much another whole degree. There aren't very many schools in my area that offer SLP degrees.
myownwoman, thanks! I wish I had a PERMANENT SLPA job...until I get a full-fledged SLP job of course!