Emily Laff
Broomfield,CO
Summary
ASHA certified, compassionate, and diligent medical speech-language pathologist with proven expertise in evidence-based evaluation and treatment of patients with complex medical and neurological needs on a high acuity caseload.
Overview
1
1
year of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Acute Care Speech Language Pathologist
Baylor Scott & White-Hillcrest
08.2024 - Current
- One of two acute care SLPs managing a high-acuity caseload of 25–30 patients daily in a 260-bed Level II trauma hospital,
- Providing timely and evidence-based interventions across ICUs, step-down, med-surg, and telemetry units.
- Certified in both FEES and Modified Barium Swallow Studies (MBSS), performing instrumental swallowing assessments to guide evidence-based recommendations and reduce aspiration risk.
- Provide skilled therapy services to a highly diverse patient population, including those with:
- Neurological conditions: stroke, craniotomy, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, encephalopathy, Rhett syndrome
- Trauma/surgical: traumatic brain injury, motor vehicle collisions (MVCs), gunshot wounds (GSWs), total spinal cord injuries, CABG, ACDF, head and neck cancer
- Medically complex cases: tracheostomy and ventilator dependence, substance abuse complications, and progressive neurodegenerative disorders
- Attend daily Surgical ICU interdisciplinary rounds, advocating for early SLP involvement in trauma and post-op cases and enhancing care coordination with physicians, nurses, and case managers.
- Active member of the Spinal Cord Task Force Initiative, promoting early intervention of speech therapy in spinal cord protocol to implement RMST, tracheostomy and ventilator management, communication support, and swallowing diagnostics to optimize recovery
- Active attendee of neurosurgery rounds collaborating with neurosurgeons and physicians assistants to determine appropriate intervention
SLP Intern
Children's Hospital Colorado
Aurora, CO, USA
04.2024 - 07.2024
- Work cohesively with families and medical team to find and teach caregivers the safest way for their children to communicate through a multitude of strategies.
- Advocate for developmentally supportive care across disciplines (RT, RN) for long-term trach/vent population on the pulmonary unit.
- Provide skilled intervention for feeding and swallowing associated with Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and sequela.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary providers including nursing, physician, occupational therapy, physical therapy, endocrinology and social work to provide well-rounded recommendations and guidance for caregivers.
- Responsible for evaluation, planning, and treatment of pediatric swallowing difficulties stemming from several complex medical origins including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Turner Syndrome, Intrauterine stroke, Trisomy 21, Dandy-Walker Syndrome, etc.
- Provide ongoing assessment and developmental treatment of speech, communication, and swallowing issues for children with chronic tracheostomy and ventilator dependence, as well as those with nasogastric and PEG tubes
SLP Intern
UC Health Hospital
Aurora, CO
01.2024 - 04.2024
- Clinical treatment of complex patient cases on the behavioral, medical and surgical levels
- Collaborated as a participatory member of the multidisciplinary team, involved with treatment in the in-patient setting including the Surgical Trauma Intensive Care Unit, Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, Transplant and Hepatology, Neuro ICU, Burn, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and Acute Care for Elders
- Developed ability to take history, gain examination skills, create therapeutic plans of care, and hone skills involving instrumental assessment of swallowing disorders including Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) and Modified Barium Swallow Studies (MBSS)
- Diagnostic skills were further challenged through treating difficult swallow cases as well as being expected to understand and convey issues as they pertain to the diagnosis and treatment of the patient to the care team and family
- Language Mapping provider in operating room during awake craniotomy neurosurgery operations.
Education
Master of Science - Speech Language Pathology
University of Colorado
Boulder05.2024
Master of Science - Sports Industry Management
Georgetown University
Georgetown05.2021
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism
Texas Christian University
05.2017
Skills
- Highly proficient in Epic EMR software
- Modified Barium Swallow Studies using TIMS software
- Fiber Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallow using AmbuScope, Optium Entity
- Tracheostomy, ventilator knowledge
- PMV/speaking valve experience
- Expressive and Receptive Aphasia
- Dysphagia
- Multicultural sensitivity
- Serving diverse patient populations
Certification
- ASHA Certification of Clinical Competency, 14444524
- Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallow Certification, Patheous Health
- MBSimP Certification in Modified Barium Swallow Studies (MBSS)
- Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
- CNA - Certified Nurse Assistant
- Montreal Cognitive Assessment Certification
- DIR Floortime Training Program 101
- AAC Device experience- proficient in TDSnap and Saltillo ChatEditor
- Handle with Care Safety Management System Certified Instructor
- Training for Colorado's Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect
Timeline
Acute Care Speech Language Pathologist
Baylor Scott & White-Hillcrest
08.2024 - Current
SLP Intern
Children's Hospital Colorado
04.2024 - 07.2024
SLP Intern
UC Health Hospital
01.2024 - 04.2024
Master of Science - Speech Language Pathology
University of Colorado
Master of Science - Sports Industry Management
Georgetown University
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism
Texas Christian University