Melody Potts
Grand Junction,CO
Summary
I've worked with clients ranging from 5-90+ years old. My work history includes schools, inpatient, outpatient, home health, skilled nursing facilities and intermediate care facilities. My skills include diagnosing and treating speech, language, voice, dysphagia, aumentative/ alternative communication needs anddisorders. I recommend and collaborate with various other health and medical colleagues to ensure the best quality of care for my clients.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
Grand Junction Regional Center
Grand Junction, CO
02.2004 - 10.2022
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
- Worked closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to guide operational strategy.
- Established a culture of continuous improvement by fostering open communication channels and empowering employees to voice their ideas.
- Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Cultivated a positive work environment that fostered employee engagement, increased retention rates, and boosted overall team morale.
- Managed budgets effectively to ensure optimal use of resources while maintaining financial stability.
- Strengthened internal controls by reviewing existing policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Improved project efficiency with strategic planning, resource allocation, and time management practices.
- Implemented innovative solutions to solve complex problems, resulting in increased productivity and streamlined operations.
- Optimized staff performance by designing comprehensive training programs tailored to individual needs.
- Proactively identified potential risks and implemented mitigation strategies to minimize negative impacts on projects or business operations.
- Evaluated company documentation to verify alignment with regulatory requirements.
- Spearheaded innovative approaches to resource allocation and strategic planning.
- Evaluated employee performance objectively using established metrics, leading to fair compensation adjustments based on meritocracy principles.
Speech and Language Pathologist
Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Grand Junction, CO
05.2010 - 09.2013
Speech and Language Pathologist
Palisade Nursing Home
Palisade, CO
06.2004 - 06.2005
Certified Speech Language Pathologist
Alpine Home Health
Grand Junction, CO
07.2004 - 05.2005
Statewide Augmentative Alternative Communication
Harrison School District
Colorado Springs, CO
08.2000 - 01.2004
Education
Master Of Science - Communication Sciences And Disorders
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM05.1997
Bachelor's Of Science - Speech Pathology And Audiology
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ05.1995
Skills
- Collaboration and Teamwork
- Multicultural Sensitivity
- Patience and Tolerance
- Therapeutic Techniques
- Creativity and Innovation
- Evaluated and diagnosed patients with speech, language, voice, and dysphagia disorders using standardized assessments and clinical observations
- Implemented group therapy sessions for individuals with similar communication challenges, promoting peer support and increased motivation
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to create comprehensive treatment plans for patients with complex communication disorders
- Provided professional development opportunities for colleagues by organizing workshops on current trends in speech-language pathology practices
- Contributed to the improvement of agency-wide communication strategies by providing expert consultation to administrators and staff
- Improved patient communication skills by implementing individualized therapy plans tailored to their specific needs
- Conducted thorough evaluations of patients'' swallowing abilities, leading to appropriate recommendations for diet modifications or further medical referrals when necessary
- Effectively managed caseloads within a variety of settings including schools, inpatient, outpatient, home health and skilled nursing facilities
- Contributed to the development of a clinic-wide documentation system that streamlined patient records and facilitated efficient information sharing among interdisciplinary team members
- Successfully advocated for increased funding towards Speech-Language Pathology services within institutions resulting in expanded supports available for clients who needed them most
- Presented findings from clinical research projects at regional conferences, contributing valuable knowledge to the field of Speech-Language Pathology
- Created and implemented treatment plans intended to address speech, language and dysphagia issues in collaboration with other clinical professionals
- Worked with education and medical personnel to develop strategies allowing better communication with individuals with speech and hearing impediments
- Provided information on speech improvement techniques and non-verbal communication methods
- Built solid understanding of individual patients issues through analysis of speech, language and hearing evaluations
- Assessment abilities
- SOAP notes expertise
- Caseload Management
- Documentation And Reporting
- Patient Education
- Assistive Technologies
- Flexible Schedule
- Hearing Tests
- Sign Language Instruction
- Oversaw budget development and financial management, ensuring fiscal responsibility and sustainability
- Streamlined communication channels among team members, promoting transparency and collaboration towards shared goals
- Managed cross-functional teams to achieve collaborative success in meeting state objectives and goals
- Directed staff training and development, fostering a high-performance culture that consistently exceeded expectations
- Evaluated staff performance regularly through feedback sessions; identifying areas of improvement and providing support for professional development
- Implemented data-driven decision-making practices for continuous improvement of program effectiveness
- Evaluated employee performance and conveyed constructive feedback to improve skills
- Recruited, interviewed and hired employees and implemented mentoring program to promote positive feedback and engagement
- Assisted in organizing and overseeing assignments to drive operational excellence
- Cultivated positive rapport with fellow employees to boost company morale and promote employee retention
- Established performance goals for employees and provided feedback on methods for reaching those milestones
- Controlled resources and assets for department activities to comply with industry standards and government regulations
Certification
- Certificate of Clinical Competency in Speech Language Pathology from ASHA.
- Colorado DORA license for Speech Pathology
- Colorado driver's license
Timeline
Speech and Language Pathologist
Veterans Affairs Medical Center
05.2010 - 09.2013
Certified Speech Language Pathologist
Alpine Home Health
07.2004 - 05.2005
Speech and Language Pathologist
Palisade Nursing Home
06.2004 - 06.2005
Director Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
Grand Junction Regional Center
02.2004 - 10.2022
Statewide Augmentative Alternative Communication
Harrison School District
08.2000 - 01.2004
Master Of Science - Communication Sciences And Disorders
University of New Mexico
Bachelor's Of Science - Speech Pathology And Audiology
Northern Arizona University