Haley Edwards, OTD, OTR/L
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Pediatric Occupational Therapist
New Story Schools
06.2023 - 01.2025
- Provided individualized services for a diverse caseload of 26 students ages 5-21
- Worked closely with teachers and paraprofessionals to ensure access to curriculum for all students
- Navigated OT's unique role in improving youth mental health in school and in the community through techniques rooted in sensory processing, mindfulness, and trauma-informed care
- Taught adapted physical education in high school autism support classrooms
- Led therapeutic feeding groups in elementary-aged classrooms using the SOS approach to feeding
- Provided vocational readiness services to transition-aged students in community settings
- Provided quarterly inservice trainings to the multi-disciplinary team to promote evidence-based techniques within the school setting
Full Time Nanny
01.2023 - 05.2023
- Provided in-home care for two, school-aged children with ASD
- Engaged children in developmentally-appropriate leisure activities while maintaining safety
- Acted as liaison between Mom and childrens' therapists, reporting progress in speech, OT, and ABA sessions
Doctoral Capstone Experience
HEARTH
Pittsburgh, USA
09.2022 - 04.2023
- Collaborated with a local women and children's shelter to develop and implement a sustainable quality improvement project for existing childcare services
- Provided coaching to childcare staff to ensure developmentally-appropriate and trauma-informed childcare services to residents of the shelter
- Presented the quantitative and qualitative results of this quality improvement project at the University of Pittsburgh's Spring Colloquium to healthcare professionals and relevant stakeholders
FOH Manager and Event Coordinator
Lucca Ristorante
05.2021 - 01.2023
- Planned and facilitated large group events with up to 100 guests
- Coordinated with back of house management to ensure seamless service delivery
- Trained and managed a team of 6 full time and part time employees
- Encouraged team collaboration among front-of-house employees in order to create an enjoyable work environment
Level II Fieldwork Experience
UPMC
06.2022 - 08.2022
- Experience working in a floating role at 7 different UPMC locations, gaining entry level knowledge in the distinct role of OT in the acute care and inpatient rehabilitation settings
- Performed functional evaluations, meaningful treatment sessions, and used clinical reasoning to make recommendations for safe transition from the hospital
- Opportunities to gain advanced skills in functional transfers, line management, and cognitive intervention
Level II Fieldwork Experience
Galvin Therapy Center
03.2022 - 05.2022
- Experience working with a diverse caseload of 24 children ages 0-21, conducting evaluations through standardized testing and clinical observation, developing and implementing client centered treatment plans, and using clinical reasoning to grade tasks for the just right challenge
- Collaborated closely with parents and other members of the interdisciplinary team to build effective treatment strategies.
- Gained experience in the SOS approach to feeding therapy and DIR Floortime techniques
Education
Doctorate - Occupational Therapy
University of Pittsburgh
05.2023
BS - Biology, Psychology
University of Dayton
05.2020
Skills
- Neurodiverse-affirming care
- Trauma-informed intervention
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Training development and dissemination
- Highly organized
- Eagerness to grow and learn as a therapist
Professional Memberships
- University of Pittsburgh Student Occupational Therapy Association, 08/20, 04/23
- American Occupational Therapy Association, 09/20, present
- Coalition for Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity, 01/21, 04/23
- STAR Institute Community, 10/24, present
Affiliations
- Social Determinants of Health Poverty Simulation - 01/21 - Attendee
- Occupational Justice Journal Club - 01/21- 04/23 - Discussion Facilitator
- School of Rehabilitation and Health Sciences Collaborative Care Conference - 02/22 - Attendee
- Supporting People with Post Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) - 03/23 - Presenter
- The Distinct Role of Occupational Therapy in School-Based Practice - 01/24 - Presenter
- The Learn, Play, Thrive Approach to Autism and its Application to New Story School - 03/24 - Presenter
- The Neuroscience of Regulation - 10/24 - Presenter
- Building Engagement and Learning through the Understanding of Environmental Affordances - 12/24 - Presenter
Advanced Training
- Tourette Syndrome in Schools, University of Florida
- The Learn Thrive Play Approach to Autism, Meg Ferrell MS, OTR/L
- The SOS Approach to Feeding Groups in the School Setting, Vincentia Ferrari MOT
- DIR 101 Course Completion, ICDL
- Supporting Language Development in Gestalt Language Processors, Becca Knight CCC-SLP/L
- 2024 Sensory Symposium: Praxis, STAR Institute
- Interoception for the Non-Speaking Client, Kelly Mahler OTD, OTR/L
- Torticollis, Tongue Tie, and Infant Feeding, Karyn Johnson-Fernandez, MS, OTR/L, SWC, CBS
- The Occupational Therapist's Role in Breastfeeding, Marisa Yahil MS, OTR/L, IBCLC
Community Engagement
- Psychology Research Experience, University of Dayton, 11/18 - 03/20, Served as a lead research assistant in a lab studying emotional regulation in young children.
- The Green Neighborhood Initiative, University of Dayton, 01/18 - 03/20, Collaborator on an initiative that encouraged open conversations about sustainability and social justice.
- Level I Fieldwork Educator for OTD and OTA Students, 01/24 - 04/24, Mentored level 1 fieldwork students in doctoral and associates level programs.
- Supportive Employment Liaison at the Spectrum Fudge Factory, 07/24 - 12/24, Collaborated with a local business supporting adults with disabilities.
Certification
- Certified CarFit Technician, 10/21
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), 09/22
- Certified in Basic, Adult, and Universal First Aid, 09/22
- MOCA certified therapist, 01/23
- Nonviolent Crisis Intervention from the Crisis Prevention Institute, 07/24
- NBCOT Microcredential in Autism, 12/24
Timeline
Pediatric Occupational Therapist
New Story Schools
06.2023 - 01.2025
Full Time Nanny
01.2023 - 05.2023
Doctoral Capstone Experience
HEARTH
09.2022 - 04.2023
Level II Fieldwork Experience
UPMC
06.2022 - 08.2022
Level II Fieldwork Experience
Galvin Therapy Center
03.2022 - 05.2022
FOH Manager and Event Coordinator
Lucca Ristorante
05.2021 - 01.2023
Doctorate - Occupational Therapy
University of Pittsburgh
BS - Biology, Psychology
University of Dayton
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