Spring is in the air, and many SLP graduate students are breathing a sigh of relief as they finish their theses, pass their oral exams and start to look for their CFY positions.
What is a CFY? Clinical fellowship year is the full meaning. It is a residency of sorts. The CFY/SLP is hired and employed but still requires supervision by a more experienced (and licensed) SLP. There are important rules regarding the hiring of CFYs that come from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). In addition, there is often a separate set of rules for your own state licensure. In California, for example, a newly hired CFY might have to wait up to two months to process paperwork and be able to start treating patients. As a Director of Rehab, if hiring an SLP is on your to-do list this summer, here is some basic information to help you decide if a CFY is right for you and your department.
- A CFY is a paid employee.
- The CFY is 36 weeks of full-time (35 hours per week) experience (or the equivalent part-time experience), totaling a minimum of 1,260 hours.
- The initial hourly rate is slightly lower than a licensed SLP. Their rate is adjusted when they receive certification and licensure.
- It is best to interview more than one candidate if available.
- Need to have potential CFY supervisor participate in the interview process
- The SLP supervisor needs to be current with his or her ASHA CCCs and state licensure
- Make sure the potential supervisor has the skill set to mentor a CFY
- In California, the SLP needs six hours of supervision training
- The CFY will have his or her own caseload immediately
- They may be placed in their own facility with a supervisor off-site
- The CFY will be introduced to colleagues and patients as a staff SLP
- They may need some guidance and training
- They may need added time to learn some aspects of the position
- The CFY supervisor must supervise a minimum of eight hours per month for a full-time CFY and four hours for part time
- CFY candidate who will work in facility without supervisor needs to have the personality and capability to take on this challenge
- The supervisor needs to be given the time to provide the necessary supervision
- It is clear that there are pros and cons to hiring a new-grad SLP. The supervision time and need for added training may be considered a negative. However, often these new grads are bright and energetic with a strong willingness to learn and grow into the position. With this information on hiring CFYs, DORs and SLPs can decide what is right for you and your department.
By Elyse Matson, M.A., CCC-SLP, Carmel Mountain Rehabilitation & Healthcare, San Diego, CA