Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Laura Kavanaugh

Elgin,IL

Summary

Certified Speech Language Pathologist with Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) and over 20 years of experience, looking for a challenging career that will enhance both professional and personal growth. Considerable experience with all aspects of managing screening, evaluation and treatment activities of both inpatient and outpatients. Extensive knowledge of swallowing, tracheostomy and ventilator dependent patients, aphasia, cognitive communication and voice disorders. Strong reputation for organization, compassion and attention to detail. Always enthusiastic to take on new cases and support patients' speech and communication goals through creative and effective treatment planning. Highly personable and productive clinical professional.

Overview

21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Medical Speech-Language Pathologist

Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital
Huntley, IL
11.2022 - Current
  • Independently assess, diagnose and treat individuals with dysphagia, cognitive-linguistic deficits, aphasia, dysarthria, speech and swallowing related disorders.
  • Establish and implement personalized speech therapy plans and treatment goals for adult in-/out-patients.
  • Counsel and provide recommendations to patients and their families about communication and swallowing strategies.
  • Initiate referrals as needed and confer with physicians on a daily basis, provide education regarding clinical techniques and methods of assessment, evaluation, and treatment to other speech pathologists and medical residents.
  • Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment within northwestern region hospital system.

Medical Speech Pathologist

Amita St. Joseph Medical Center
Elgin, IL
10.2021 - 11.2022
  • Used strong analytical and problem-solving skills to develop effective solutions for challenging situations.
  • Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
  • Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
  • Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed in acute care, acute rehabilitation and outpatient departments.

Medical Speech Language Pathologist

Rush Copley Medical Center
Aurora, IL
03.2021 - 11.2022
  • Created and implemented treatment plans to address swallowing, speech and language issues in collaboration with other clinical professionals.
  • Documented developments and regressions in patients' speech and swallowing while making treatment adjustments based on latest information.
  • Built solid understanding of premature infants through feeding and swallowing evaluations.
  • Worked flexible hours across evenings, weekend and holiday shifts.

Medical Speech Language Pathologist

St. Alexius Medical Center
Hoffman Estates, IL
02.2011 - 12.2014
  • Provided professional services and support in a dynamic work environment.
  • Built solid understanding of individual patients issues through analysis of swallowing, speech, language and voice evaluations.
  • Cultivated interpersonal skills by building positive relationships with others.
  • Gained knowledge in use of electronic medical records.

Staff Speech Language Pathologist

Community Physical Therapy
Chicago Suburbs, IL
01.2010 - 12.2014
  • Returned after maternity leave/stay at home mother in 2019 to 2020
  • Worked flexible hours across evening, weekend and holiday shifts.
  • Provided excellent care in subacute rehabilitation, long term care and memory care units across multiple facilities.
  • Demonstrated strong organizational and time management skills while assisting in management of patient caseloads across multiple sites.

Medical Speech Language Pathologist

RML Specialty Hospital
Hinsdale, IL
01.2010 - 01.2014
  • Independently performed Passy-Muir Speaking Valve evaluations, treatments and provided education to patients, families and staff with both tracheostomy and ventilator dependent patients in a long term acute care setting.
  • Assessed ventilator and non ventilator dependent patients with dysphagia via clinical and videoswallow studies.
  • Participated in daily team staffings to provide clinical expertise and opinions regarding discharge recommendations to most appropriate next level of care.

Senior Speech Language Pathologist

Holy Family Medical Center
Des Plaines, IL
01.2006 - 01.2010
  • Assisted in development of policies, procedures and specific roles of Speech Language Pathologists in weaning protocols for newly converted long term acute care hospital.
  • Exercised leadership capabilities by successfully motivating and inspiring others and assisted with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members.
  • Evaluated and provided treatment to a variety of medically complex patients with swallowing and communication disorders.
  • Provided training and supervision of staff Speech Pathologists and assisted with ongoing scheduling needs of registry associates.
  • Provided supervision and education to graduate students of Speech Pathology.

Staff Speech Language Pathologist

Therapy Masters
Chicago, IL
01.2004 - 01.2006
  • Created and implemented treatment plans for patients with a variety of communication and swallowing disorders with an emphasis on tracheostomy and ventilator dependent patients in a subacute and long term care setting.

Staff Speech Language Pathologist

Rehabilitation Institute Of Chicago
Chicago , IL
01.2003 - 01.2004
  • Provided skilled assessment and treatment of both adult and pediatric patients with various neurological impairments in an inpatient rehabilitation setting, with an emphasis on traumatic brain injuries.
  • Adaptable and proficient in learning new concepts quickly and efficiently.
  • Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.

Clinical Fellowship Year; Speech Pathology

Central DuPage Hospital; Wynscape Rehabilitation
Winfield, IL
06.2002 - 06.2003
  • Provided professional services and support in a dynamic work environment in a subacute, long term care and acute care setting.
  • Gained experience in videofluoroscopic swallow studies in acute care setting.
  • Organized and detail-oriented with a strong work ethic.

Education

Master of Science - Speech Language Pathology

Rush University
Chicago, IL
05.2002

Bachelor of Science - Speech Pathology And Audiology; Teaching Sequence

Illinois State University
Normal, IL
05.2000

Skills

  • Speech, language, cognitive screenings and assessments
  • Dysphagia diagnosis and treatment
  • Clinical swallowing assessment and treatment
  • Voice disorder assessment and treatment
  • Videofluoroscopic swallowing evaluations
  • Strong time management skills
  • Experience in a variety of levels of care: acute, outpatient, acute rehabilitation, subacute rehabilitation and NICU
  • Knowledge in use of Microsoft office, Microsoft Excel and a variety of EHR software

Certification

Speech-Language Pathology License - Illinois, 2003 - Present

Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) - American Speech-Language-Hearing Association - 2003 - Present

American Heart Assoc Healthcare Provider CPR Certification - Current



Timeline

Medical Speech-Language Pathologist

Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital
11.2022 - Current

Medical Speech Pathologist

Amita St. Joseph Medical Center
10.2021 - 11.2022

Medical Speech Language Pathologist

Rush Copley Medical Center
03.2021 - 11.2022

Medical Speech Language Pathologist

St. Alexius Medical Center
02.2011 - 12.2014

Staff Speech Language Pathologist

Community Physical Therapy
01.2010 - 12.2014

Medical Speech Language Pathologist

RML Specialty Hospital
01.2010 - 01.2014

Senior Speech Language Pathologist

Holy Family Medical Center
01.2006 - 01.2010

Staff Speech Language Pathologist

Therapy Masters
01.2004 - 01.2006

Staff Speech Language Pathologist

Rehabilitation Institute Of Chicago
01.2003 - 01.2004

Clinical Fellowship Year; Speech Pathology

Central DuPage Hospital; Wynscape Rehabilitation
06.2002 - 06.2003

Master of Science - Speech Language Pathology

Rush University

Bachelor of Science - Speech Pathology And Audiology; Teaching Sequence

Illinois State University

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Laura Kavanaugh