Establish goal-setting and feedback parameters in the initial meeting between you and your Mentor.  I cannot emphasize enough the importance this will have as your progress through your CF experience.

According to ASHA, “The main purpose of the Clinical Fellowship is to improve the clinical effectiveness of the clinical fellow. The mentoring SLP must provide performance feedback to the clinical fellow throughout the CF experience. Feedback and goal-setting require two-way communication whereby both the mentoring SLP and the clinical fellow share important information about the clinical fellow’s performance of clinical activities. A specific time should be set aside for each performance feedback session at the end of each of the three segments of the CF. This session should be used to identify performance strengths and weaknesses and, through discussion and goal-setting, to assist the clinical fellow in developing the required skills.”  

Here are some considerations to keep in mind as you begin this process. Having set clear, mutual expectations will lend itself to a great experience!

Goal Setting:

1. Schedule an initial meeting with your Mentor.  Submit an outline before the meeting with any questions you have, goals you want to work on, and a suggested framework for communication/feedback to your Mentor for her review.  Your initial meeting with your Mentor does not have to be before your first day of work, but it should be set relatively soon.
1. Before the meeting, think about some personal goals you want to work on as you progress through your 36 weeks. These goals can be based off of areas on the CF Rating Form, goals you’ve previously established in a prior, related setting that you wish to continue working on, or areas you anticipate that you would like more guidance and information about.
2. Write these goals down and share them with your Mentor during your first meeting. This will allow your Mentor to best anticipate how to support you during your CF experience.
3. Plan to revisit these goals, at least, one time per each segment review. You and your Mentor can discuss your self-monitoring as well as what your Mentor is seeing in terms of your growth in each targeted area.
4. As you work through each of the three CF segments, you may find that you need to adjust your goals or develop new goals based on feedback from your Mentor. It is very important that you self-monitor for insight into your progress.

Feedback:

1. Determine what type of feedback you will be given from your Mentor for both onsite and other mentoring activities, what method this feedback will be communicated, and how often you should expect it. Having a clearly identified mechanism for sharing information as to how you are doing will be critical to you as you progress through your CF experience.
2. When your Mentor schedules an on-site visit, will you receive communication prior so that you will have everything available that she would like to see while she is there?
3. Will your Mentor provide feedback formally or informally – verbally or written? Will you receive this during the visit or afterward? Will you be given feedback on what you are doing well in addition to any areas that need improvement?
4. What types of other monitoring activities will your Mentor utilize during the experience?

As you can see, the more details that can be established at your first meeting, the less likely there will be any misunderstanding, miscommunication, or unmet expectations. Having been a CF Mentor myself, I can tell you that each relationship is different.  The Mentor is learning and growing with YOU! Don’t be afraid to bring great ideas to the table for discussion!