McKinley Baker
Memphis,TN
Summary
Graduate speech-language clinician with diverse and unique clinical experience across medical, educational, and rehabilitative settings. Skilled in diagnosing and treating speech, language, voice, and swallowing disorders using evidence-based practices and personalized therapy techniques. Recognized for a collaborative approach, adaptability, and dedication to achieving meaningful patient outcomes. Proficient in comprehensive assessments, individualized treatment planning, and interdisciplinary teamwork to enhance patient care and communication success.
Overview
2
2
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Graduate Clinician
Memphis Speech and Hearing Center
05.2023 - Current
- Provided individualized therapy for voice disorders, utilizing evidence-based techniques to enhance vocal quality and function.
- Planned group and individual therapy sessions for individuals with aphasia, providing personalized treatment to improve functional communication and enhance quality of life.
- Provided therapy for speech sound disorders, including acquired apraxia of speech and phonological process disorders, using evidence-based techniques to improve articulation, speech clarity, and intelligibility. Delivered language intervention targeting expressive and receptive language skills, incorporating literacy development strategies.
- Conducted comprehensive speech and language evaluations, including case histories, standardized assessments, and report writing.
- Led and participated in structured support groups for adults who stutter, fostering a supportive environment to build confidence and develop effective communication strategies.
- Conducted school screenings to assess speech, language, and hearing abilities, identifying children in need of further evaluation and intervention.
Graduate Intern
West Cancer Center And Research Institute
08.2024 - 12.2024
- Provided total-laryngectomy care, including Tracheoesophageal Puncture (TEP) management and prosthesis changes to support voice restoration.
- Completed the ATOS Course, gaining hands-on experience in TEP management and addressing challenges in laryngectomy rehabilitation.
- Delivered dysphagia therapy for head and neck cancer patients, addressing swallowing impairments and optimizing safe oral intake.
- Conducted and assisted with diagnostic assessments, including case history reviews, clinical swallow evaluations, and instrumental swallow studies.
- Observed Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) and Modified Barium Swallow (MBS) procedures to assess swallowing function and guide treatment planning.
- Worked closely with a multidisciplinary team, including physicians assistants, ENTs, and nutritionists to develop and implement comprehensive treatment plans for head and neck cancer patients.
Graduate Clinician Intern
Southern Pediatric Therapy - Private Practice
01.2024 - 05.2024
- Provided speech and language therapy to children, utilizing engaging activities tailored to various developmental levels to enhance communication skills.
- Delivered targeted therapy for articulation, language, feeding disorders, and AAC, improving patient outcomes through individualized treatment plans.
- Worked with children diagnosed with Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), implementing evidence-based strategies to support feeding therapy.
- Assessed and implemented AAC systems, training neurodivergent children and their families on effective communication strategies to support functional language development.
- Designed and adapted therapy approaches to meet the unique needs of neurodivergent individuals, fostering communication, self-expression, and social engagement.
- Built strong relationships with patients and families, fostering trust and collaboration to support progress toward shared treatment goals.
Graduate Clinician Intern
Methodist LeBonheur Hospital - Otolaryngology Group
08.2023 - 12.2023
- Conducted comprehensive voice evaluations, assessing vocal quality, pitch, resonance, breath support, and vocal function to guide individualized treatment plans
- Provided voice therapy for patients with various voice disorders, including muscle tension dysphonia, vocal fold atrophy (voice building), and spasmodic dysphonia, utilizing evidence-based techniques to enhance vocal efficiency
- Observed endoscopy (FEES) procedures to assess vocal fold function and aid in the diagnosis of voice disorders
Graduate Clinician Intern
Select Specialty Hospital - Memphis
05.2023 - 08.2023
- Provided speech-language pathology services in an acute care setting, focusing on dysphagia management, cognitive-linguistic therapy, and communication support for medically complex patients.
- Conducted bedside swallowing evaluations and collaborated on instrumental assessments to determine appropriate diet modifications and safe swallowing strategies.
- Developed and implemented treatment plans for patients with tracheostomies, ventilator dependence, and neurological conditions, optimizing communication and swallowing function.
- Collaborated with an interdisciplinary medical team, including physicians, respiratory therapists, dietitians, and nursing staff, to ensure comprehensive patient care and recovery.
Education
Master of Arts - Speech-Language Pathology
University of Memphis
Memphis, TNBachelor of Science - Communication Sciences and Disorders
University of Mississippi
Oxford, MississippiSkills
- Industrious
- Critical thinking
- Active listening
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Interpersonal communication
- Patient-family education
- Documentation and reporting
Certification
- Basic Life Support (BLS) & CPR Certification – American Heart Association / Red Cross
- AAC Certification
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Training – Annually certified
- Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile (MBSImP) Student Certification
- Stewards of Children Sexual Abuse Prevention and Response Training
- Proficient in HIPAA-compliant Electronic Medical Platforms.
Timeline
Graduate Intern
West Cancer Center And Research Institute
08.2024 - 12.2024
Graduate Clinician Intern
Southern Pediatric Therapy - Private Practice
01.2024 - 05.2024
Graduate Clinician Intern
Methodist LeBonheur Hospital - Otolaryngology Group
08.2023 - 12.2023
Graduate Clinician
Memphis Speech and Hearing Center
05.2023 - Current
Graduate Clinician Intern
Select Specialty Hospital - Memphis
05.2023 - 08.2023
Bachelor of Science - Communication Sciences and Disorders
University of Mississippi
- Basic Life Support (BLS) & CPR Certification – American Heart Association / Red Cross
- AAC Certification
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Training – Annually certified
- Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile (MBSImP) Student Certification
- Stewards of Children Sexual Abuse Prevention and Response Training
- Proficient in HIPAA-compliant Electronic Medical Platforms.
Master of Arts - Speech-Language Pathology
University of Memphis
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