Mentorship for Speech-Language Pathologists
Mentorship is a critical step in every speech therapist’s career. Completion of the program is required by the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO) for newly registered speech-language pathologists. Mentorship supports the profession’s goals of public protection through adherence to practice standards, and quality assurance through self assessment, observation and direct guidance.
Carmel Terner accepts a limited number of SLP mentees each year. Initial registrants and employers are welcome to reach out by email.
The Mentorship Process
Mentorship is an opportunity to begin the important and career-long process of learning, reflection and assessment that is central to professional practice for speech-language pathologists.
The College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO) sets out the requirements for mentorship.
During the mentorship period, the mentee reflects on their ability to meet standards of practice through self-assessment. The mentee and mentor work together to complete assessments of the mentee’s practice at the midterm and at the end of mentorship.
The mentee benefits from the support of an experienced colleague as they exercise their knowledge, skills and judgment in a professional practice environment.
The mentor’s responsibilities include:
48 hours of mentored guidance over a 6-month period, including direct and indirect observation
Providing guidance around professional practice issues
Collaborating with the mentee on the Mentorship Self-Assessment Tool
Reviewing a sample of patient records for compliance and consistency
Evaluating the mentee’s clinical decision-making using the Clinical Reasoning Tool
Determining if the mentee complies with CASLPO’s professional standards
Providing mid-term and final reports to CASLPO
Maintaining confidentiality of personal health information
Experience and Qualifications
Carmel Terner is a registered Speech-Language Pathologist with more than 20 years of experience in private practice and special needs classrooms in Toronto and New York City. Carmel Terner meets CASLPO's requirements for mentors, and has substantial experience in a coaching role with other professionals, developing and implementing professional development programs for SLPs, and providing direct clinical services to clients and their families.
Carmel Terner accepts a limited number of SLP mentees each year. Initial registrants and employers are welcome to reach out by email.