The USC Voice Center Clinical Fellowship in Voice and Upper Airway Disorders

The USC Voice Center at the USC Caruso Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery is offering a one-year speech-language pathology clinical fellowship with specialization in the assessment and treatment of voice and upper airway disorders. The fellowship is scheduled for September 2025 – September 2026.

The USC Voice Center consists of an interprofessional team of 4 voice-specialized speech-language pathologists and 3 fellowship-trained laryngologists, as well as an annual laryngology fellow. 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 clinical fellow will work closely with all clinicians of the USC Voice Center. The fellow will provide care in the interprofessional clinic performing behavioral voice assessments, laryngeal videostroboscopy, FEES, and engaging 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.

Successful candidates will: possess a strong academic background and understanding of voice disorders with exposure to the assessment and treatment of voice disorders in a graduate clinical placement; complete a master’s degree in speech-language pathology prior to start date; be eligible for SLP licensure in the state of California. A background in performing voice is of benefit to the applicant but is not a requirement.

Fellowship Goals and Objectives

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 responsiveness 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.

Please send applications to Lauren Timmons Sund at Lauren.TimmonsSund@med.usc.edu AND complete the application at https://usc.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/ExternalUSCCareers/job/Los-Angeles-CA---Health-Sciences-Campus/Speech-Pathologist-Clinical-Fellow-in-Voice-and-Upper-Airway-DisordersREQ20157337

Applications will be accepted until February 17, 2025.

Applications should include the following in one combined PDF document:

1. Letter of intent

2. CV

3. Two letters of recommendation (at least one from a clinical supervisor)

The hourly rate for this position is $29.99 - $29.99. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Minimum Education: Master's degree in speech-language pathology from an accredited university. Minimum Experience: 0-6 months. Minimum Field of Expertise: Current licensure in Speech-Language Pathology in the state of California.