SLP Full Disclosure Ep. 122: Exploring Career Opportunities for SLPs
Speech-language pathologists face countless career decisions throughout their professional journey. From choosing between traditional permanent positions and contract work to navigating the complexities of clinical fellowship years, the path forward isn't always clear. Episode 122 of SLP Full Disclosure sheds light on these choices, featuring AMN Healthcare's senior recruiter Paige Harles as she discusses the comprehensive support and opportunities available to SLPs at every career stage.
AMN Healthcare has established itself as a leader in healthcare staffing, with a particular commitment to supporting speech-language pathologists through innovative resources, competitive benefits, and personalized career guidance. This podcast episode offers valuable insights into how AMN's approach differs from other staffing agencies and why thousands of SLPs have chosen to build their careers with the company.
Meet Paige Harles: Your Guide to AMN's School Staffing Solutions
Paige Harles brings a unique perspective to her role as senior recruiter at AMN Healthcare. With nearly four years at the company and almost three years specifically focused on school staffing solutions, she understands the nuanced needs of SLPs working in educational settings. Her background in political science and international relations initially led her to AMN's international nursing division, where she helped bring international nurses to work in U.S. hospitals.
What sets Paige apart is her genuine passion for connecting with people. "Honestly, just getting to connect with people" is what she identifies as her favorite aspect of the job. She emphasizes the importance of building personal relationships with clinicians, noting that working together for 40-week assignments creates opportunities for meaningful professional friendships.
Paige's approach to recruiting reflects the Type A personality traits common among SLPs. She works primarily with younger millennials and Gen Z professionals who are interested in travel opportunities, though AMN serves SLPs across all age groups and career stages. Her extensive LinkedIn presence and multi-platform recruiting strategy help her connect with candidates through various channels, from professional networks to therapy-focused Facebook groups.
Comprehensive Resources That Set AMN Apart
The AMN Passport App: Your Career Command Center
One of AMN's most praised innovations is the Passport app, a comprehensive platform that serves as a one-stop resource for healthcare professionals. The app functions as both a job search tool and a career management system, offering features that benefit both current AMN employees and external job seekers.
Users can connect with recruiters, communicate with clinical managers, upload credentials and documents, and search for assignments across different settings. The app supports travel assignments, local contracts, and teletherapy positions, making it versatile for various career preferences. Recruiters can also upload personalized assignment recommendations, and the platform features clinician spotlights and networking opportunities with other travelers.
The accessibility of the Passport app extends beyond current AMN employees. Anyone can create an account and explore available opportunities, making it a valuable resource for SLPs at any stage of their job search process.
W-2 Employment with Full Benefits
AMN's commitment to treating contractors as valued employees shows through their W-2 employment structure. Unlike many staffing agencies that operate on a 1099 basis, AMN provides the stability and benefits of traditional employment while maintaining the flexibility of contract work.
The benefits package includes comprehensive health, vision, and dental insurance through major providers like Blue Cross Blue Shield and Cigna. Employees can access Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), voluntary benefits including life insurance and short-term disability, and various specialized coverage options for critical illness and legal assistance.
AMN also offers a 401(k) plan with company matching at 25% up to the first 6% of contribution, providing long-term financial security for career-focused professionals. The Employee Assistance Program through SupportLink extends beyond traditional counseling services to include research assistance for everything from daycare providers to event planning support.
Unlimited CEUs Through MedBridge
Professional development remains crucial for SLPs throughout their careers, and AMN addresses this need through unlimited continuing education units via MedBridge. This partnership provides access to a vast library of courses specifically relevant to speech-language pathology practice.
The quarterly re-enrollment process ensures that active clinicians maintain access to these resources while allowing AMN to manage costs effectively. This system demonstrates the company's commitment to supporting ongoing professional growth while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
Lucrative Referral Program
AMN's referral program offers substantial rewards for clinicians who connect colleagues with career opportunities. SLP referrals earn $2,000 once the referred clinician completes 13 weeks on assignment. The program has no limits on the number of referrals, and participants don't need to be current AMN employees to earn referral bonuses.
Some clinicians have built significant secondary income streams through consistent referrals, with top performers treating it as an additional revenue source. This program reflects AMN's confidence in their service quality and their recognition that satisfied employees are their best ambassadors.
Specialized Support for New Graduates
Clinical Fellowship Supervision
One of the most significant challenges facing new SLP graduates is finding appropriate clinical fellowship supervision. AMN addresses this critical need through a comprehensive supervisor placement strategy that prioritizes quality and compatibility.
The company's preferred approach involves securing supervisors who work directly at the assigned district, ensuring intimate knowledge of the local systems and ongoing availability. When district-based supervision isn't available, AMN seeks qualified SLPs within their network who are already credentialed and familiar with the company's processes.
As a final option, AMN will locate supervisors within a reasonable geographic radius who can provide the required in-person sessions while maintaining professional standards. This multi-tiered approach ensures that clinical fellows receive the guidance they need regardless of location or circumstances.
New Graduate Program and Community Building
Beyond individual supervision, AMN offers a structured new graduate program designed to help recent graduates transition successfully into professional practice. This program includes networking opportunities with fellow travelers and connections to apps and resources that facilitate social connections in new locations.
The community-building aspect addresses one of the primary concerns expressed by new graduates: the fear of being isolated in unfamiliar locations away from family and friends. By facilitating professional and personal connections, AMN helps transform what could be a lonely experience into an opportunity for growth and relationship building.
Flexible Contract Options for Every Career Stage
AMN recognizes that SLPs have diverse career goals and personal circumstances that influence their work preferences. The company offers three primary contract types to accommodate these varying needs:
Travel Contracts provide the traditional traveling experience with housing stipends, meal allowances, and the opportunity to explore different regions while building professional experience across various settings.
Local Contracts allow SLPs to work close to home while still enjoying the benefits of contract employment. These positions enable professionals to explore new districts or settings without the commitment of permanent employment.
Teletherapy Contracts offer the flexibility of remote work while maintaining the structure and support of AMN's comprehensive benefits package. These positions have become increasingly popular and provide excellent work-life balance options.
Maximizing Your AMN Experience
Financial Benefits and Tax Advantages
AMN's pay structure for travel contracts strategically maximizes take-home income through careful allocation of taxable and non-taxable compensation. The approach minimizes the hourly taxable rate while maximizing housing allowances, meal stipends, and other non-taxable benefits.
This structure provides significant financial advantages compared to traditional employment, allowing SLPs to keep more of their earnings while building diverse professional experience. The addition of cell phone stipends and other allowances further enhances the total compensation package.
Professional Growth Opportunities
Working with AMN provides exposure to different educational systems, diverse student populations, and varying administrative approaches. This breadth of experience accelerates professional development and builds adaptable skill sets that benefit SLPs throughout their careers.
The company's partnership with various districts and educational systems creates opportunities for SLPs to discover their preferred work environments while building extensive professional networks across multiple states and regions.
Your Next Steps with AMN Healthcare
The comprehensive support system, competitive benefits, and flexible career options make AMN Healthcare an attractive choice for SLPs at every career stage. Whether you're a new graduate seeking clinical fellowship supervision, an experienced clinician looking for new challenges, or someone considering the transition from permanent to contract work, AMN provides the resources and support necessary for success.
Paige Harles offers two key pieces of advice for SLPs considering AMN: maintain transparency throughout the process and remain open to multiple options. Professional recruiters appreciate honesty about other opportunities you're exploring, and flexibility regarding assignment locations and timing often leads to better outcomes.
The combination of personalized recruiting support, comprehensive benefits, innovative technology tools, and commitment to professional development creates an environment where SLPs can thrive while maintaining the flexibility that contract work provides.
Ready to explore what AMN Healthcare can offer your career? Learn more about the incredible opportunities we have to offer at school districts and facilities nationwide.
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