Maria A. Castro
Davenport,IA
Summary
ASHA Certified master-level professional with 9 years of clinical experience, exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, and a passion for creating a meaningful impact on clients and their caregivers.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
AAC Consultant
Talk to Me Technologies
Cedar Falls, IA
03.2022 - Current
- Consultation, training, demonstration, and set-up of speech-generating devices (SGD) and related accessories with clients and clinical partners
- Developed and retained business relationships and reached average quota achievement of 166% within a year of employment
- Prioritized research and outreach to potential business relationships resulting in 31% gain
- Provide onsite and remote evaluation consultation and training on device usage, care, and maintenance after purchase through variety of teleconference platforms
- Mastered purpose-driven clinical writing skills and mentoring clinical partners of all skill levels
- Ensure Medicaid and Medicare standards for Durable Medical Equipment (DME)
- Exhibit products and present at local and national conferences to educate on products, services, client advocacy, and AAC-related topics as professional development
- Responsible for demonstration equipment including sanitization, maintenance or troubleshooting of software and operating systems, and HIPAA considerations
Speech Language Pathologist
Blue Bird Day
Wheaton, Illinois
07.2021 - 03.2022
- Conduct skilled clinical treatment of pediatric clients in-person and via teletherapy
- Lead speech and feeding group therapy rotations and monitored integration of speech-related goals in kindergarten classroom
- Administer initial assessments for incoming clients to establish qualification and/or baseline of functioning to recommend appropriate program and need level
- Established AAC evaluation protocol for Wheaton location and provided team training and continued coaching on SGD feature-matching process and report writing
- Engage within a multi-disciplinary clinical team through weekly collaboration meetings, virtual communication, and short-term session push-ins
- Meet individual productivity requirements or exceed productivity as needed for team coverage and unanticipated client schedule changes
- Effectively interpret complex Central Reach generated reports with caregivers through quarterly progress summaries and bi-annual evaluation meetings
Speech Language Pathologist
Brighthouse Diagnostics & Treatment Center
Chicago, Illinois
10.2020 - 05.2021
- Maintain a minimal private pay virtual caseload through independent contract position providing clinical diagnostic assessments and skilled treatment
- Implemented engaging teletherapy integrating online resources with traditional evidence-based practice
- Proficient in role-specific tasks in Simple Practice EHR system such as scheduling, creating invoices or superbills, document review, and billing credit cards for services.
Speech Language Pathologist I
Advocate Health Care
Chicago, Illinois
09.2015 - 05.2021
- Conduct arena-style medical diagnostic evaluations, clinical diagnostic assessments and skilled treatment of pediatric patients via onsite clinic visits and telehealth video visits
- Effectively manage productivity requirements in high-volume city-center outpatient setting
- Demonstrate an attentive and compassionate communication style with patients and caregivers to increase trust and buy-in as well as encourage sharing questions or concerns
- Proficient in role-specific tasks in EPIC EMR system and tasked as training team lead
- Serve as an “expert HUB team member" of ECHO Autism in Primary Care teleconference program which aims to expand quality care and improve early detection
- Handle high-stress situations such as elopement or aggression with quick, calm decision making to resolve safety issues and de-escalate patient or caregivers as needed
- Design informational materials for varied functions including professional development, therapy or training materials, data-taking spreadsheets, and program marketing
- Act in a co-supervisory capacity for graduate-student clinicians and assist in multi-disciplinary mentorship capacity for departmental externs or new hires
Education
Master of Arts – Communication Disorders / Speech Language Pathology -
University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
08.2015
Bachelor of Science – Speech and Hearing Science -
University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
05.2013
Skills
- Diagnostic & Therapeutic Mastery
- Autism Spectrum Expertise
- Exceptional Coaching Skills
- Spanish Fluency (Speak/Read/Write)
- Multidisciplinary Team Collaboration
- AAC Proficiency
Timeline
AAC Consultant
Talk to Me Technologies
03.2022 - Current
Speech Language Pathologist
Blue Bird Day
07.2021 - 03.2022
Speech Language Pathologist
Brighthouse Diagnostics & Treatment Center
10.2020 - 05.2021
Speech Language Pathologist I
Advocate Health Care
09.2015 - 05.2021
Master of Arts – Communication Disorders / Speech Language Pathology -
University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
Bachelor of Science – Speech and Hearing Science -
University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
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