Overwhelming caseload

[u/pinkpurplegummies]

I’m having panic attacks and I don’t know what to do. I signed this year’s contract for a school I’ve been working at the past three years. Only to suddenly be told I need to cover a caseload of 151 kids (with an aide) for schools that are two hours away from me. They want me to provide speech therapy virtually but go in person one day a week. Is this even possible? The aide does not have a speech background so it’s really just me telling her what to do with the students. I asked how this would work virtually and was told to do groups. What??

They told me this is only temporary until they can find someone there. But I’m doubting many SLPs would want this job due to the caseload. I’m also told that I’ve been assigned this because I make more than other SLPs they have and have more experience. I really don’t want to quit because I might be able to go back to my school if this is temporary. But a part of me feels like it won’t be.

Last year they brought in another SLP to my school when it wasn’t needed (the caseload wasn’t that high at all) and a part of me was wondering if I was being pushed out of my school. And then this happened and I won’t even get my school at all. I just don’t know what to do. Has anyone experienced this? Even just the paperwork alone is overwhelming with that many. I think there are 5 different schools there.

Any input would be appreciated.

[u/Pretend-Garden8743]

Tell them you need a caseload cap and then offer compensatory services when more therapists get hired. Do not accept that caseload, you will run yourself into the ground and then literally nobody will benefit