DEBORAH H. NICHOLS

• Worked with education and medical personnel to develop strategies allowing better communication with individuals with speech and hearing impediments.
• Built solid understanding of individual patients issues through analysis of speech and hearing evaluations.
• Provided information on speech improvement techniques and non-verbal communication methods.
• Documented developments and regressions in patients' speech, making treatment adjustments based on latest information.
• Educated patients and family members about various topics such as communication techniques or strategies to cope with and avoid personal misunderstandings.

• Educated patients and family members about various topics such as communication techniques or strategies to cope with and avoid personal misunderstandings.
• Created and implemented treatment plans intended to address speech and language issues in collaboration with other clinical professionals.
• Facilitated improvement in clients' control of breathing mechanisms, jaw and facial muscles.
• Built solid understanding of individual patients issues through analysis of speech and hearing evaluations.

Retired from the Speech Language Pathology field to take care of mother and aunt who were diagnosed with severe illnesses. However, still practiced as SLP while being a caregiver.

• Provided outpatient clinical services to pediatrics with developmental speech and language disorders
• Also, provided treatment for feeding and swallowing disorders

• Company Overview: Health Connections
• Provided comprehensive evaluations and treatment plans for a variety of disorders including Swallowing, Aphasia, Apraxia, Dysarthria and Cognitive-linguistic deficits secondary to Alzheimers-Dementia, CVA, Parkinson's and head injury and hearing loss
• Participated in consultations with interdisciplinary team and caregiver training to facilitate discharge planning, home assessments, restorative and maintenance programs, Care Plans, MDS Assessments, dietary and weight concerns in a skilled nursing facility
• Health Connections

• Responsible for evaluation and treatment of a variety of disorders including Aphasia, Apraxia, voice and speech production, cognitive-communication, aural rehab and swallowing with geriatric residents in a skilled nursing facility
• Consultation with interdisciplinary team regarding restorative programs, care plans, MDS Assessments, weight concerns; patient care in-services to nurses and caregivers

• Provided assessment and treatment to children presenting speech and language disorders secondary to autism, deafness/hearing impairment, stuttering, cerebral palsy, delayed speech and language skills

• Provided communication, cognition and swallowing diagnostic and therapeutic services within the adult and geriatric population across the continuum of care from acute care to short term and long-term care demonstrating proficiency in documentation and patient care standards
• Areas of expertise range from dysphagia, trachs/vents, traumatic brain injury, cerebral vascular accident and progressive neurological diseases
• Experienced in PPS Management and Medicare documentation requirements

• Responsible for the efficient management of rehabilitation services in assigned facility
• Coordination of budget and staff resulting in optimum utilization of time, personnel and monetary resources
• Diplomatic interface with customers and other allied healthcare professionals
• Integration of rehabilitation services in all settings (IL, ALF & SNF)
• Additionally, the Director of Rehab ensures that the highest standard of rehabilitation services is delivered and maintained in today's competitive and cost-conscious marketplace