Clinical Supervision is a mentoring process. The overall objective is to build independence in the student clinician. It is usually up to the clinician to demonstrate their independence; part of my role as Clinical Instructor is to evaluate your skills and growth along this parameter. One way I can do this is by providing resources to you, such as this website. Our weekly conference meetings, in which we discuss specific aspects of your client and your therapy, is another. Throughout the process it is incumbent upon you to ask questions. Asking questions indicates to me that you are aware that you don't have all the information that you need; this illustrates that you are at a higher level than not being aware that you don't know an important piece of information. A still higher level would be being cognizant that you don't know something and being able to generate possible answers.
Taking risks is an important part of learning. Sometimes risks result is failures. But taking risks and failing enables you to learned more quickly; if you only attempt things you are sure of succeeding, you are spending too much time in your comfort zone. Learning also comes from successes, but my role as mentor is to push you out of your comfort zone, minimize the impact of your failures, and generate a lesson from the experience.
A Starting Point. We begin by meeting before your first session with a client to discuss his or her communication needs, review the therapeutic process, and plan for the first session. This doesn't always happen in one meeting, so additional time may be required. By the end of the meeting you should be prepared for the first session.
Observation. I will observe each of your therapy sessions. ASHA requires that you be observed at least 25% of the time; in most instances I observe much more than that. From my observation, I complete an Observation Report with notes and comments. You will find the Observation Report in your mailbox shortly after your session. Be sure to bring it to our weekly meeting to discuss. If you have more immediate questions or concerns, please feel free to stop by and arrange a time for us to meet. I often come into the therapy room to talk with the client, try a therapy technique, or demonstrate something for you. Coming into your session is not an indication that something has gone wrong! I enjoy working with the patients too.
Weekly Group Conferences. We will establish a weekly meeting time to discuss the clients, your performance in clinic, and any other issues pertinent to therapy. A standard weekly meeting time is usually established at the beginning of the semester. Please remember to bring the Observation Report to this meeting.
Lesson Plans. After the first session, you will need to prepare a weekly lesson plan. The lesson plan is due 48 hours before the session. We will review your plan at the weekly conference. Only one lesson plan is required for the week, even if the client comes multiple times during the week. Be sure to include goals and behavioral objectives for group therapy as well. Submit your lesson plan on the appropriate form, attaching it to an e-mail to me. Be sure to use the client's initials, not their name on the lesson plan. Lesson plans are not filed in the patient's chart. It is wise to save an electronic copy of each lesson plan on a floppy disk so it is easier to revise them and generate a new one for the next week.
Progress Notes. Progress notes are due 48 hours after each therapy session. It is easiest to complete progress notes immediately after your session if your schedule permits. Using the appropriate form, submit your completed progress note to me by attaching it to an e-mail. For security, do not use the client's name. If the note requires revisions, I will send it back to you with an explanation. If it is fine as is, or only needs minor editing, I will print it out, sign it, and place it in your mailbox for your signature. You will then turn the note in to the Clinic Office to be filed in the patient's chart.
Evaluation. At mid-semester, I will complete a Student Practicum Evaluation form and we will review it together. While you will be receiving feedback each week, this is the time when you are formally evaluated. We will discuss your achievements and plan to work on other areas to continue your growth. A grade is not assigned at this time; your grade is determined by your performance at the end of the semester.
The week following the conclusion of clinic, we will again meet and review your Evaluation. Your semester grade will be determined at this time.
General. It is hoped that the supervisory process will be an open exchange. Don't be hesitant to admit you don't know something! It will be apparent sooner or later anyway. Letting me know that you don't know something enables me to help you learn more rapidly -- and that's why we're both here!
© Rentschler, 2001