USC Caruso Department of Otolaryngology

Speech Pathology Fellowship in Voice and Upper Airway

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The USC Voice Center Experience

The USC Voice Center consists of an interprofessional team of voice-specialized speech-language pathologists and fellowship-trained laryngologists. The clinicians of the USC Voice Center provide exceptional care that reflects a commitment to our patients and a passion for our work. The speech pathology team utilizes the breadth of instrumental voice assessment, including laryngeal videostroboscopy and acoustic and aerodynamic assessment. They provide the highest quality treatment for the entire spectrum of voice and upper airway disorders, with particular expertise in care of the performing and singing voice. Our laryngologists provide exceptional patient care and offer the most advanced surgical options and innovative treatments.

The entire breadth of voice and airway upper pathology is addressed in this fellowship with the benefit of utilizing state-of-the-art equipment and techniques. The USC Voice Center aims to provide fellows with a comprehensive exposure to the full spectrum of voice, airway and swallowing disorders, and their behavioral, medical, and surgical management. Through monthly interdisciplinary dysphonia and dysphagia rounds, clinic-based teaching, and progressive responsibility in behavioral treatment of voice and upper airway disorders, the fellows receive a well-balanced academic and clinical experience. Each fellow will learn to hone their teaching skills by participating in the training of graduate and undergraduate student clinicians, medical students and residents when appropriate, and collaboration with the vocal music programs at USC.

Speech Pathology Fellowship Goals and Objectives

The Speech Language Pathology fellowship experience at The USC Voice Center is geared towards the development of competency in the assessment and treatment of voice and upper airway disorders. The clinical fellow will work closely with all clinicians of the USC Voice Center and will have exposure to all aspects of patient cases on the behavioral, medical, and surgical levels. The fellow will provide care in the interprofessional clinic performing behavioral voice assessments, laryngeal videostroboscopy, FEES, acoustic and aerodynamic testing, and will learn to engage in clinical decision making with the laryngologist and other speech pathologists. They will provide behavioral voice and upper airway therapy across the entire spectrum of disorders. Fellows will participate in monthly dysphonia, dysphagia, and research rounds. They will participate in clinical research with the USC Voice Center team. There will be opportunities to engage with speech-language pathologists with specialization in dysphagia and management of communication and swallowing disorders secondary to head and neck cancer.

Following completion of the speech pathology clinical fellowship year at the USC Voice Center, the fellow will be able to:

  1. Independently conduct a comprehensive evaluation of all voice and upper airway disorders and develop an appropriate, evidence-based plan of care.
  2. Skillfully provide the breadth of behavioral therapies available for the treatment of voice and upper airway disorders.
  3. Independently perform flexible and rigid laryngeal videostroboscopy examinations, interpret the functional parameters of vocal fold vibration, and write comprehensive reports.
  4. Independently perform and interpret acoustic and aerodynamic assessments of voice.
  5. Provide culturally responsive services with the understanding that growth in cultural competence is a lifelong journey.
  6. Confidently collaborate with referring physicians in the development of treatment recommendations.
  7. Present research or clinical education at the state or national level.
  8. Meet all requirements to complete the ASHA Clinical Fellowship Year and apply for the Certificate of Clinical Competence.

Research

Fellows are expected to participate in new or ongoing research efforts. Research time is provided in the schedule. Currently, the USC Voice Center faculty is involved in many ongoing research projects. It is anticipated that fellows will submit at least one abstract to a national meeting for oral presentation.

Didactics and Teaching

Fellows are expected to participate in the training and teaching of undergraduate and graduate students in speech language pathology completing their internships at the USC Voice Center, singing students from the USC Thornton School of Music participating in the vocal arts medicine curriculum, and medical students and residents as indicated. The fellow will help coordinate voice rounds, lead monthly “lunch and learns” with the team, and lead one journal club during the year.

Length of Fellowship

A 12-month fellowship will be offered to applicants who have successfully completed a master’s degree in speech-language pathology at an ASHA accredited university.

Please visit keckmedicine.org/uscvoicecenter for more information about our division.

Application information

Application deadlines change yearly so please apply only to the open application. Updates can be found on our Instagram page: @uscvoicecenter

Details will also be distributed on the VOICESERVE, and ASHA SIG 3 listservs

Contact

Please send inquiries and applications to: Lauren.TimmonsSund@med.usc.edu