Although some readers will likely skip right past this post, I really only wanted to talk a little bit about job searching as a recent SLP graduate. Why? Because I desperately sought advice while looking for a job, but nothing I found really helped me. I’d like to share what I’ve learned and what I wish I had known.
For the record. In May 2012, I received my Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology. I’ve been working at my present position for more than a year, where I also finished my CFY (Clinical Fellowship Year). Some of this will apply to the skilled nursing facility (SNF) where I work, but most of it is more general in nature.
I was prepared to begin my job search in January of my final year of graduate school. Here’s the problem with that. Five months in advance, very few places are going to hire an SLP. Don’t get me wrong. Although a few graduates of my program were hired very quickly, I felt that looking for work at that point would have been a poor use of my time. Looking back, I wish I had been more patient and let myself just unwind. I remember spending hours online applying for jobs. I was contacting people and kept getting the same response. “It’s too early, but call us back later. We will keep your name on file. ”.
As the months went by and graduation drew nearer, an increasing number of job opportunities became available. By the end of March and the beginning of April, I was having a mental breakdown while sorting through jobs.
Here are some early actions I took that seemed to be the best use of my time. Start doing these as soon as possible.
Hopefully, all of this advice is effective, and you’ll soon be accepting a job. My best piece of advice is to get your state license as soon as you can after accepting a job. Every state is different, but I had to obtain a provisional speech-language pathology license in Florida in order to begin working there. I made the mistake of waiting to apply until after I had graduated. I could have gotten the process started much sooner. After graduating at the beginning of May, waiting meant that I didn’t begin working until the middle of June. (It was actually kind of nice having time off. Consider it. ) Other classmates started the day after graduation.
I worked very hard to include all the information that would have been most useful to me when I was looking for a job, but that’s all the job search advice I have for you. Advertisement.
Here is part 1 of my Invisalign experience, in which I discuss the various appointments that led up to receiving my aligners.
I’ll discuss the most exciting day of the whole ordeal in this post: the day I received my aligners.
I read numerous blogs that went into great detail about this day, as I mentioned in my previous Invisalign post, so I felt very prepared. 14 top and bottom treatment trays were part of my course of treatment. That was a little different from my ClinCheck appointment. I think it was originally 12 uppers and 10 lowers. (At my most recent appointment, I learned that tray 12 will be used for the lower teeth.) Although they are passive trays, I continue to receive new lowers 13 and 14. I won’t have to wear my old bottoms for six weeks this way.
The majority of this appointment was spent attaching the attachments. They initially provided me with a small, flimsy aligner to wear on my teeth. They used this as a model so they would know where to place the attachments. They pulled my lips back using those tiny hook things, and then they just started cementing those things to my teeth. They had to use this tiny mini dryer to dry my teeth. Kind of funny.
One of my attachments would not stay on. It kept getting stuck in the template despite the girl who was working on me trying three times. I mentioned in the previous post that I was supposed to have 12 attachments, starting with my incisors, with three on each side of my upper and lower teeth. In order to decide what to do, she invited the orthodontist to come over and take a look. He said it would be acceptable to simply forgo that one. He assured me that it wouldn’t matter because he didn’t believe I needed so many attachments anyway. That’s why I only have 11 attachments.
I read about it. I was prepared for it. Most of the blogs said it wasn’t a big deal.
The orthodontist first threaded a thin metal strip between my teeth to begin with. The metal is basically sandpaper. Back and forth. Back and forth. He flossed my teeth with sandpaper.
Then it got big time. There was a drill involved. It was inserted between my teeth and had a large, thin, circular piece of “metal sandpaper” My teeth were sanded down high speed this time.
Does that sound pleasant? It’s not. I will say that while it is very uncomfortable, it is not actually painful. The best way I could describe it to someone was as follows: Without feeling pain, it is the physically uncomfortable I have ever been. The slightest amount of discomfort would have been preferable to the extreme amount for me. Nails on a chalk board. It’s painful for your brain. I would rather get a shot than IPR.
Anyway. I dealt with it. Making space between your teeth so they can move is the goal of IPR. Since it removes enamel from your teeth, I wondered if this made you more prone to cavities, but when I googled it, I discovered that this was not the case. It appears that the amount of enamel/tooth shaved down is equivalent to the amount that would come off with traditional braces as teeth move and rub against one another. At least that’s what the internet said.
I was somewhat embarrassed by the visible space between my teeth after IPR, but it was hidden when I wore the actual aligners. Additionally, I’ve needed IPR on various teeth at almost every appointment I’ve had, and the spaces always disappear after a day or two.
After all that chaos, they made me practice putting on and taking off my aligners. I had no issues, but I could see how it might be challenging if your teeth were more crooked than mine. I am aware that people can purchase tiny plastic hooks to aid in this, but I have never needed any. They did advise me to not be as gentle as I was when I was taking them outside. Loosening the back teeth first made it easier. The orthodontist gave me the first 5 sets of aligners. They arrive in tiny baggies and are identified by a number. I have two weeks to wear each set before switching.
After that we were done. But then craziness happened. When they raised me in the chair, the tiny lightbulb from the overhead lamp fell and struck my arm. And it was HOT. Oh my goodness. I considered it to be okay because it only briefly touched me. They brought me an icepack, which I placed briefly on my arm. When I got to my car, there wasn’t a mark at first, but when I got back to work, it had turned completely red and was a blister. Fortunately, one of the nurses at the nursing home where I work applied some silvadene for me. It got worse before it got better. This happened in May. I still have a small scar on my arm, and it’s August. So that happened…But back to my teeth .
I drove home after leaving (and paying) and took a moment to examine my teeth in the rearview mirror. I was satisfied with the invisibility of the aligners. The attachments were there, but I didn’t mind them. Some people notice them and some people don’t. I called Aaron on the way to work to tell him about everything and to practice speaking while wearing my aligners because, guess what, you guys.
It went away in a few hours, but for the first two weeks, whenever I first put my aligners back in after eating or whatever, I had a noticeable lisp. Not cool. Haha. I just went with the full disclosure method. I would simply point to my teeth and say, “I just got Invisalign, and it’s affecting my speech,” if I lisped while speaking to a patient or a patient’s family member. ” Everyone was cool about it. Haha.
I really only experienced pain for the first few days, but those days were quite painful. I believe the discomfort of wearing my aligners made me more exhausted at work, and I would collapse on the couch as soon as I got home from work. I could clearly see which teeth were shifting based on the location of the pain.
My aligners made me feel claustrophobic. When I tried to take them off, the attachments severely cut up the inside of my mouth, so I was glad to put them back in. I would really want to take them off. I was able to eat ok. My teeth would be extremely sensitive when I first took the aligners out, but after chewing for about 1-2 minutes, they felt normal.
Just for the first two or three days, please take note. After that everything got much better. I couldn’t eat apples or nuts for a while. In fact, I visited Disney World the week after receiving my aligners. Yep. In the Disney World restroom, I was the oddball who was brushing my teeth. My mouth’s interior hardened, making the attachments less painful. I don’t feel claustrophobic wearing them either. If I’m honest I actually really like them. They’re cozy. Haha.
That’s all I have for today. My daily routine and some tips for taking care of your aligners will be covered in the upcoming Invisalign post.
I’ve just finished writing a lengthy blog post showcasing my kitchen backsplash. I briefly posted it before deciding to hold off and schedule it for tomorrow. It’s so good…I need to keep you waiting.
Actually, I wanted to write a quick post today that wouldn’t be relevant the next day. My fancy kitchen, however, will still be relevant tomorrow.
My first day back at work after an unexpected four-day weekend was today. Nothing glamorous. I was sick. My “wise words” Pinterest board is full of inspirational sayings that would be pleased with me today. I occasionally have to give myself little pep talks while I’m at work.
I made a commitment to show up for work rather than watching the clock and wishing the day away. I’ve been in a funk lately. The good news is that my clinical fellowship will soon come to an end. I’ll keep my current job, but my name will have some new letters. Instead of Haleybee M. S. CFY-SLP, I’ll be Haleybee M. S. CCC-SLP. It’s a big deal.
These photos were taken the day I received my QVC “Today’s Special Value” impulse buy in the mail, so of course I had just practiced applying makeup. Since I rarely do my hair, it had to be photographed. I just so happened to have a spare boyfriend at home who could take my photo when I needed to upload a badge picture to my workplace’s onboarding website.
The 10 photos I took before these 2 good ones were all looking down at the top of my head, which is a disadvantage of having a tall boyfriend. Or my head was leaned way back. Just so you know, when you’re “looking down on you,” your head looks enormous. (Or maybe I just have a big head).
I’ve been using my DVR to record The Bachelor so I can skip commercials. I heart Sean. I’m definitely going to post about how Sean and I were meant to be together in the future. (BTW Aaron, we’re square because I’m referring to the alternate reality where you’re supposed to be with Emma Watson.)
My objective is to complete the book by the end of February. I’ve got three days to finish The Casual Vacancy. It’s picked up a little bit, but I’m still trudging.
Several of my crafty projects are also nearing completion. Lot’s to blog about.
Mondays are better because I save all of my patients who need help with problem-solving, reasoning, and short-term memory (because I have to keep reminding them of the rules) for the end of the day, and then I just play a few hours of UNO to round out my day. I have no mercy.
Setting New Year’s resolutions is an age-old custom that begins with the new year. I suppose some of mine are resolution-like, but the majority are just things I’d like to accomplish in the coming year. When I was setting my goals for last year, it was somewhat crazy. I was still enrolled in school and had a thesis to finish. Big changes happened this year!.
When I wrote about my yearly goals update posts, some of these were among them.
I achieved goals #4, #5, #6 (sort of), #7, #8 (obviously), and #10 earlier this year.
1. Continue to follow a regular workout schedule and healthy eating plan both before and after graduation. I’m going to lie and claim that I accomplished this objective. Here is my reasoning. I continued planning healthy meals and scheduling regular workouts up until graduation AND for one month after. So yes. The way that goal was written, I completely achieved it. Actually, since starting my job and moving to Pensacola, I have stopped meal planning and exercising. It’s bad and will be addressed in 2013.
2. Run more often. Register for and run a 5k by Fall. I legitimately MET this goal. The Christmas Run 5k was completed by Nikki and I in downtown Pensacola. Proof:
I don’t think it matters that I didn’t train at all because I ran the entire thing. The following day, I was sore, but I’m going to blame that on Aaron and me riding our bikes twice around my neighborhood afterward. Merry Christmas to us from me .
6. Get a job I love like (May-June). Hmm. I still can’t say I LOVE my job.
I’ve always believed that working on your true calling should energize you and make you eager to come to work every day. I currently spend a lot of my afternoons drained and exhausted.
The recent acquisition of my company by a bigger company is an exciting development. It really could go either way in terms of job satisfaction. It sounds like it could be good though. We will finally transition to using computers when I purchase my own iPod touch for documentation. I lose a lot of energy because of incredibly dense and lengthy handwritten documentation. If I can finish an evaluation form in less than an hour, my job satisfaction will significantly increase. (And no, it’s not just me; I’m a relatively new SLP. It takes the other SLP just as long. ).
9. Design planner project. I’m fine with not having achieved this goal. When I was in school and used a planner more frequently, I was very motivated to do this, but I didn’t have the time to design one. After graduating, I feel like I’d be content to purchase a fancy Erin Condren planner.
Dear Old People: Quit being mean to me. You are receiving therapy at a rehab facility in order to recover and return home. Speech therapy is more important than Walker Texas Ranger.
Dear WGN: Really? Matlock. Heat of the Night. Walker Texas Ranger. How on earth do you expect me to get any of my patients to come to therapy with that lineup? I can’t compete with these geriatric hotties.
Dear Cold Weather: I like you. Please refrain from frosting my windows in the morning before I leave for work.
Dear Neighbor Family Across the Street: You did observe me intentionally stepping on crunchy leaves while I was going to the mailbox, yes. I know you were jealous. Just go for it.
Dear Guy in this Video: I’m calling the police. You must have been looking in my windows and copying my adorable dance moves.
Sorry about the glitter storm I caused in the Christmas decorations section, Hobby Lobby. I really needed to look at some tangled garland. When you cause a glitter storm, it is pretty obvious who is to blame, so I would try to lie and say it wasn’t me. For the rest of your life, you will bear that mark. For real. When I left, the checkout clerk had to dust the counter.
It’s on this weekend, Harry Potter World and Disney World. P. S. Although that particular section is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, I don’t care that it’s really Islands of Adventure. It’s Harry Potter World.
Dear Twilight Breaking Dawn Part 2 Premiere: I’m sorry. I should have been there for you. I know I made some terrible jokes about your last movie, but I should have made an effort to attend the midnight premiere for nostalgia’s sake. I mean I’ve been there for every other movie. Harry Potter World is just more important though.
You don’t need to know my last name, do you, and I’m sure all my hard-core stalkers could just look up the title if they liked that fancy cropping job.
The average reader would probably only be interested in reading the acknowledgments and my bio at the end, but I don’t mind. It’s totally going on my coffee table.
That will make it very challenging for me to constantly carry it in my purse.
The good news is that my advisor just informed me that I will be able to present at the ASHA conference in November of this year. That’s the American Speech and Hearing Association. And by “present,” I mean create a poster and stand by it in case someone has a question that I probably won’t be able to answer because I haven’t given this any thought since the beginning of May.
OT/PT/SLP THERAPY JOB INTERVIEW MUST KNOW : QUESTIONS YOU MUST ASK
General SLP interview questions
Your interviewer may ask you general questions during your interview for a position as an SLP in order to learn more about your personality, objectives, and aptitudes. You might hear questions like:
Questions about experience and background
In addition to general inquiries, your interviewer might want to know more about your employment history, qualifications, and experiences. In your interview, you might encounter questions like:
What makes someone a good SLP?
Your response to this question can show a lot about what you value most in your line of work. Employers can frequently tell from your response what you value and what abilities you strive to emulate in your own work.
Example: “I believe that among the most crucial characteristics an SLP can possess are patience and empathy.” Being a good SLP entails having compassion for those you assist and remaining committed to their success. They can also assist in collaborating with a student’s families. I believe those two abilities are essential for someone to be a successful SLP because helping someone with a disability, especially children, requires a special sensitivity. “.
I understand that everyone wants to work in a skilled nursing facility (SNF), but if you’ve read any of my other posts, you know that’s the last place I’d want to work. However, SNFs became a more popular location for travel jobs in the current market after PDPM changes (NOT the COVID market). Again, if you have read other posts of mine (because I have SUCH a strong following for a blog that is less than 6 months old… that is sarcastic), you would know that the ONLY job I had not gotten an offer on after an interview was a SNF, so it is never a bad idea to look into PRN jobs in this setting to make some extra money! Why? Because the one drawback of working as a travel therapist is that you must always have your phone with you in case you receive a call. You don’t want to miss that call because if you don’t respond, they might move on to the next applicant. I had to leave a patient’s room quickly when this job called, so I was a little frazzled. Despite this, I did not present myself well in the interview and was not well-prepared. In this article, we’ll cover sample questions you should be ready to respond to as well as questions YOU should ask during the interview and consider if you get an offer. Yes, there will also be some COVID-related questions since no one can predict when this will end. No seriously, does anyone know?.
Of course, if you are looking for a permanent position, inquire about benefits. But I hope this gives you more insight into interviewing for a SNF position and helps you land that job/assignment. As a traveler, you are entitled to benefits through your travel agency, but a PRN employee is not. Please feel free to contact me if you have any additional questions about working in a SNF, and be careful out there!
You don’t need to know my last name, do you, and I’m sure all my hard-core stalkers could just look up the title if they liked that fancy cropping job.
Actually, I wanted to write a quick post today that wouldn’t be relevant the next day. My fancy kitchen, however, will still be relevant tomorrow.
Sorry about the glitter storm I caused in the Christmas decorations section, Hobby Lobby. I really needed to look at some tangled garland. When you cause a glitter storm, it is pretty obvious who is to blame, so I would try to lie and say it wasn’t me. For the rest of your life, you will bear that mark. For real. When I left, the checkout clerk had to dust the counter.
When I wrote about my yearly goals update posts, some of these were among them.
After all that chaos, they made me practice putting on and taking off my aligners. I had no issues, but I could see how it might be challenging if your teeth were more crooked than mine. I am aware that people can purchase tiny plastic hooks to aid in this, but I have never needed any. They did advise me to not be as gentle as I was when I was taking them outside. Loosening the back teeth first made it easier. The orthodontist gave me the first 5 sets of aligners. They arrive in tiny baggies and are identified by a number. I have two weeks to wear each set before switching.
How to Answer Speech Language Pathology Interview Questions Like a Pro
A good interview performance will mean giving your interviewer some real insight into who you are as an SLP. You won’t be able to prepare for every scenario; after all, you don’t know exactly what speech pathology interview questions you’ll be asked. But you can and should consider – and be prepared to talk about – your personal and professional goals, how your SLP education and training has prepared you for your new role, and the ways in which you’d be an asset to their team.
Consider it this way: During the SLP interview, you have the chance to express all the things about yourself and what you can do for the company that you might otherwise be too modest to say.
FAQ
What is the role of an SLP in a SNF?
SLPs (Speech-Language Pathologists) are essential in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). SLPs evaluate and treat patients with a wide range of deficits, such as dysphagia, cognition, speech, and/or communication issues, among others.
How do I prepare for a speech pathology interview?
- What interested you in this position?
- What are three of your greatest strengths?
- What are some of your weaknesses?
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
- What do you do first when you begin working with a new client?
- What are your career goals?
What questions are asked on Long Term Care interview?
- What LTC experience do you have? …
- What have you done in the past year to increase your understanding of LTC?
- When did a patient or their family express their gratitude for your care in particular?
How do I prepare for a SLP grad school interview?
- Notebook and pen. Bring a notebook and a pen to the interview so you can take notes.
- Updated professional portfolio. …
- A positive attitude. …
- Start early. …
- Do your research. …
- Practice. …
- Dress for the occasion. …
- Arrive early.
