Graduate Level Oncologic Speech Language Pathology Trainee Program
 

This training program offers a 12-14 week rotation during the Fall, Spring, and Summer academic semesters during which the trainee receives interdisciplinary oncology education while providing evidence-based evaluation and treatment of patients with oncologic disease who have associated deficits in speech, language, voice, cognition, and swallowing under direct supervision from a licensed Speech-Language Pathology.

The trainee program requires an affiliation agreement with the trainee’s home institution and a commitment to a 12-14 week rotation. In addition, the trainee will complete a capstone project which may include a case study presentation or other project as agreed upon by the trainee and supervisors. The trainee will receive supervision in compliance with standards set by the trainee’s home institution and the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA).

The trainee will have the opportunity to observe and/or receive training in the following areas with a diverse oncology population:

• Core clinical examinations (cranial nerve/oral mechanism, motor speech, perceptual voice, swallowing) in acute care and outpatient settings
• Instrumental evaluations (videofluoroscopy, fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing, and laryngeal videostroboscopy)
• Post-surgical management of communication, airway, and swallowing
• Development of comprehensive rehabilitation programs
• Pre-treatment consultation and prehabilitation protocols to optimize swallowing and communication after oncology care

The trainee will have the opportunity to participate in multidisciplinary tumor board, weekly speech-language pathology service rounds (e.g., Swallowing Boot Camp, TEP Candidacy, Dysphagia) and to observe other disciplines such as medical oncology, radiation oncology and head and neck surgery.
 

Candidate selection will be based on review and ranking of application packet and interviews by the Educational Committee comprised of the Program Director, Educational Coordinator, Speech Language Pathology and Audiology Manager, and Senior Speech Language Pathologists. The application packet includes a minimum of 3 letters of recommendation, CV, letter of intent, and official graduate school transcript. The applicant must be in good standing with their home institution.

The Graduate Level Oncologic Speech Language Pathology Trainee Program recruitment period begins approximately 6 months prior to the anticipated start date of the traineeship which may begin in either the Fall, Spring, or Summer semesters of the trainees second year of their master’s program.

Questions relating to this program should be addressed to:

Rose Bryan, M.A., CCC-SLP
Educational Coordinator
1515 Holcombe Blvd. Unit 340
Houston, TX 77030-4009
rbbryan@mdanderson.org