Megan Harris
Brooklyn,NY
Summary
Medical Speech-Language Pathologist with diverse experience including augmentative and alternative communication, tracheostomy and ventilator, cognitive rehabilitation, dysphagia, and speech/language disorders across the life span, with patients ranging in age from 3-97 in the inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient, long-term acute care, and school settings. Highly personable and productive clinical professional with an enthusiasm for learning and developing clinical skills.
Overview
2
2
years of professional experience
Work History
Speech Language Pathologist
Henry J Carter Specialty Hospital
08.2023 - Current
- Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, and dieticians in the long term acute care setting to assess patients’ readiness for ventilator weaning and initiation of oral diets.
- Conduct Passy Muir Speaking Valve (PMSV) trials for patients on trach collar or on mechanical ventilation (in-line PMSV) to assess their tolerance of a one way speaking valve for improved voicing and swallowing. Educate patients, family members, and staff on safety precautions associated with PMSV use and donning/doffing of PMSV.
- Train patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis on use of eye tracking, speech generating devices for effective communication of basic wants/needs for medical care and of complex thoughts/ideas for social engagement to improve quality of life. Modify, program, and repair speech generating devices independently and in conjunction with Bridging Voice, Tobii Dynavox, and ALS Association as indicated.
- Coordinate with respiratory therapy, radiology, and nursing to schedule Video Fluoroscopic Swallow Studies (VFSS), conduct VFSS, and review imaging to write comprehensive reports of findings and make recommendations for patients’ safest, least restrictive diets.
- Developed functional and measurable goals and performed necessary documentation including interim therapist notes, progress notes, updated plans of care and as well as evaluation and discharge reports.
Speech Language Pathologist, PRN
Gourveneur Skilled Nursing Facility
01.2024 - Current
- Evaluated and treated patients in with dysphagia, speech, language and cognitive impairments resulting from a range of conditions, including stroke, brain injury, respiratory distress/failure, oral and neck cancer, Parkinson’s, sepsis, and pneumonia.
- · Learn new EMR systems and conduct thorough chart review to understand patients’ current plans of care and develop appropriate treatment plans to continue patients’ progress towards previously established goals.
- · Provide skilled treatment of swallowing, cognitive-communication, and speech/language disorders in the skilled nursing facility setting through use of evidence based treatments such as Expiratory Muscular Strength Training, Inspiratory Muscular Strength Training, pharyngeal strengthening exercises, Spaced Retrieval, Attention Process Training, Phonologic Components Analysis, and Copy and Recall Treatment.
- · Administer oral mechanism exams and bedside swallow assessments to assess patients’ oropharyngeal swallow function, provide the safest and least restrictive diet recommendations, and refer for swallow imaging assessments as indicated.
- Provided per diem SLP services in the acute care hospital, adjoining acute rehabilitation unit as well as the outpatient neuro clinic.
Graduate Student Clinician
Glenbrook Hospital And ALS Outpatient Clinic
01.2023 - 04.2023
- · Provided individualized treatment in the outpatient setting for a variety of diagnoses including intellectual/developmental disability, neurogenic stutter, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, dysphagia, aphasia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and motor speech disorders to 250 patients ranging from 16 – 89 years old.
- · Conducted swallowing and cognitive-linguistic evaluations utilizing clinical interviewing skills and standardized assessments to assess patients’ current neurocognitive and oropharyngeal swallow function.
- · Administered evidenced based treatment programs, including Speak Out, Interactive Metronome therapy, Verb Network Strengthening Treatment, and Semantic Feature Analysis.
- · Developed functional, individualized recommendations for use of external and internal memory aids to improve patient’s functioning in ADLs and facilitate their return to work
- · Educated patients and families regarding recommended swallow exercises and precautions, motor speech strategies, and oral motor exercises, as well as recommendations for feeding tubes, voice banking, and message banking.
- · Perceptively assessed patient’s speech intelligibility and provided recommendations for motor speech strategies and alternative communication options.
Graduate Student Clinician, 9/2023 - 12/2023
Northwest Community Hospital
01.2022 - 04.2022
- · Developed individualized treatment plans in the inpatient rehabilitation setting for 210 patients targeting their personal goals and areas of greatest need for safe swallowing and/or completion of cognitively complex activities of daily living.
- · Conducted swallow imaging assessments (VFSS) and cognitive-linguistic evaluations to assess 240 patients’ level of function following neurologic injury and rehabilitative progress at discharge.
- · Utilized translator services to communicate with linguistically diverse patients and developed culturally sensitive treatment plans for individuals of varying cultural backgrounds.
- · Counseled and educated patients and their families regarding results of swallowing and cognitive assessments, as well as treatment outcomes.
- · Presented at patient conferences to a team of rehabilitation doctors, nurses, occupational therapists, and physical therapists to discuss patient progress, determine appropriate courses of treatment, and recommend discharge dates.
Graduate Student Clinician
Easterseals Therapeutic Day School
02.2024 - 04.2024
- · Evaluated and treated students with feeding challenges, as well as expressive, receptive, and pragmatic language deficits resulting from diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, and intellectual/developmental disability
- · Planned functional therapy sessions, create modified therapy materials, and documented student progress for a caseload of 18 individuals ranging in age from 4 -18 years old
- · Trained students to use a variety of low tech and high tech augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices for functional speech
- · Cotreated and collaborated daily with an interdisciplinary team consisting of occupational therapists, teachers, paraprofessionals, and music therapists
- · Created multiple forms of low-tech AAC with representation of various genders and races for student and clinician use
Education
Master of Science - Speech-Language Pathology
Rush University
Chicago, IL04.2023
Bachelor of Science - Speech Pathology And Audiology
Miami University
Oxford, OH05.2021
Skills
- Trained in Videofluoroscopic Swallow Studies
- Competent in treating individuals requiring tracheostomies and/or mechanical ventilation
- Experienced in using Passy Muir Speaking Valves, both in-line and on trach collar
- Skilled in assessing and training patients in use of high tech augmentative and alternative communication devices, including speech generating and eye tracking devices
- Proficient in Epic, Rehab Optima, and Point Click Care EMR software
Additional Information
ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (#144432361)
NY SLP Professional License (#034277)
Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT Loud)
Interact-ABI-lity Certification
Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile (MBSImP) – Student Certification
Basic Life Support/CPR
Timeline
Graduate Student Clinician
Easterseals Therapeutic Day School
02.2024 - 04.2024
Speech Language Pathologist, PRN
Gourveneur Skilled Nursing Facility
01.2024 - Current
Speech Language Pathologist
Henry J Carter Specialty Hospital
08.2023 - Current
Graduate Student Clinician
Glenbrook Hospital And ALS Outpatient Clinic
01.2023 - 04.2023
Graduate Student Clinician, 9/2023 - 12/2023
Northwest Community Hospital
01.2022 - 04.2022
Master of Science - Speech-Language Pathology
Rush University
Bachelor of Science - Speech Pathology And Audiology
Miami University
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