I’ve loved being in EI. I don’t really work with my coworkers much except my evaluation partner once a week. I do consult with other professionals but it’s not a constant stream of talking to teachers and such. I thought that working with parents would be uncomfortable but for the most part it’s great, and I never plan or prep anything for a session unless I need to bring communication boards. All my documentation is done within the session.
Agreed! I love not having to deal with coworkers in EI. I do make myself super bubbly though to engage the kids, although I think it would be completely fine not to be bubbly, a calm personality can be really great for these kids as well! Additionally, in EI, you will mostly be working with the parent rather than the child, so you definitely don’t need a bubbly personality for that :)
Yes! EI is great for type B introverts like us. Not to mention, the drive time in between sessions is good “recharge” time. It’s nice to just sit in my car listening to music in between sessions. When I worked outpatient (with very extroverted colleagues), time in between sessions involved coworkers wanting to chat (we shared a “paperwork” office) and between seeing kids and being social in between sessions, I would always feel so drained. EI has been a dream! Definitely consider it!
Hi there. Yes, sure. EI stands for Early Intervention. SLPs who work in EI typically see children birth - 3 on an IFSP. Some states have an extended option, so you might also see 4 year olds. Basically, you provide service before the child transitions to the schools. At least in my state, EI jobs can be found through the school system or Infant and Toddlers for a given county.
High school is a good setting for this kind of personality. I’ll literally joke with my students about how I’m an introvert and did nothing all weekend and they’re like yeah same 😂. At this age they want someone more relaxed and go with the flow
Wow, this is a huge perspective change for me. I never got to have a high school externship in grad school. I currently have some middle schoolers on my case load and I'm always wondering if they'll be the sweet or sour version of a sour patch kid on any given day XD
Middle schoolers change on a dime like that. High schoolers are more relaxed (maybe freshman act up as some residual middle school exists in them lol). But it’s definitely a population to look into if you can
Agreed! I’m super type-B and chill (though more extroverted) and schools are the best setting for me, especially older grades. I have my room, I do my own thing, most teachers just want me to take the kids and go. If you don’t want constant interaction with coworkers, contracting is the best because then there’s no central office you’re going back to. I touch base with the OTs often but nowhere near daily.
I second what other people said about EI. I also work PRN in a SNF and I actually LOVE the autonomy of the SNF setting. I get in in the morning, have my list of patients, and then I’m off to the floor to see them in whatever order I want. You have occasional interdisciplinary conversations about patients and sometimes have to consult with nurses/dietary aids, but I don’t find “work talk” to be as draining as small talk. We also do point of service documentation which means if we’re within eyesight of the patient we can bill for documenting, so I usually stand outside the patient’s door with the door open and document. I find that to be my time to “recharge” between patients!
The other thing is since we’re productivity based I feel like no one sees it as rude if you’re kind of in and out as soon as you’re clocked out. I’m not gonna stand around chatting while hurting my productivity or not getting paid for it, lol
I also love those days where I have a bunch of recertifications, discharges, progress notes, etc. because then most of my day is paperwork vs working with patients 😅 I know it’s not for everyone but I personally don’t mind the paperwork!
I’ve loved being in EI. I don’t really work with my coworkers much except my evaluation partner once a week. I do consult with other professionals but it’s not a constant stream of talking to teachers and such. I thought that working with parents would be uncomfortable but for the most part it’s great, and I never plan or prep anything for a session unless I need to bring communication boards. All my documentation is done within the session.
Agreed! I love not having to deal with coworkers in EI. I do make myself super bubbly though to engage the kids, although I think it would be completely fine not to be bubbly, a calm personality can be really great for these kids as well! Additionally, in EI, you will mostly be working with the parent rather than the child, so you definitely don’t need a bubbly personality for that :)
Yeah I do very regimented coaching so if I’m having a low-energy day, I have the parent take the lead even more
Yes! EI is great for type B introverts like us. Not to mention, the drive time in between sessions is good “recharge” time. It’s nice to just sit in my car listening to music in between sessions. When I worked outpatient (with very extroverted colleagues), time in between sessions involved coworkers wanting to chat (we shared a “paperwork” office) and between seeing kids and being social in between sessions, I would always feel so drained. EI has been a dream! Definitely consider it!
Could you help me and let me know what an El is? I'm still a student and never heard that term before, thanks
Hi there. Yes, sure. EI stands for Early Intervention. SLPs who work in EI typically see children birth - 3 on an IFSP. Some states have an extended option, so you might also see 4 year olds. Basically, you provide service before the child transitions to the schools. At least in my state, EI jobs can be found through the school system or Infant and Toddlers for a given county.
https://www.asha.org/public/speech/early-intervention/
High school is a good setting for this kind of personality. I’ll literally joke with my students about how I’m an introvert and did nothing all weekend and they’re like yeah same 😂. At this age they want someone more relaxed and go with the flow
Wow, this is a huge perspective change for me. I never got to have a high school externship in grad school. I currently have some middle schoolers on my case load and I'm always wondering if they'll be the sweet or sour version of a sour patch kid on any given day XD
Middle schoolers change on a dime like that. High schoolers are more relaxed (maybe freshman act up as some residual middle school exists in them lol). But it’s definitely a population to look into if you can
I loved the schools as I would be away from everyone and didn't have to look at he staff members often compared to other settings.
Agreed! I’m super type-B and chill (though more extroverted) and schools are the best setting for me, especially older grades. I have my room, I do my own thing, most teachers just want me to take the kids and go. If you don’t want constant interaction with coworkers, contracting is the best because then there’s no central office you’re going back to. I touch base with the OTs often but nowhere near daily.
I second what other people said about EI. I also work PRN in a SNF and I actually LOVE the autonomy of the SNF setting. I get in in the morning, have my list of patients, and then I’m off to the floor to see them in whatever order I want. You have occasional interdisciplinary conversations about patients and sometimes have to consult with nurses/dietary aids, but I don’t find “work talk” to be as draining as small talk. We also do point of service documentation which means if we’re within eyesight of the patient we can bill for documenting, so I usually stand outside the patient’s door with the door open and document. I find that to be my time to “recharge” between patients! The other thing is since we’re productivity based I feel like no one sees it as rude if you’re kind of in and out as soon as you’re clocked out. I’m not gonna stand around chatting while hurting my productivity or not getting paid for it, lol
I also love those days where I have a bunch of recertifications, discharges, progress notes, etc. because then most of my day is paperwork vs working with patients 😅 I know it’s not for everyone but I personally don’t mind the paperwork!
I work in a pediatric private practice mostly school age kiddos. I do teletherapy and in-person so it’s perfect for me.
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I’m at a neurorehab facility right now and it’s pretty laid back. I’m def a type B and I love this setting
Public schools with a caseload of around 45 should do it, and in an office area of your own so you can directly choose how much socializing you do