NICOLE ONIZUKA
Summary
I am a dedicated SLP with over 10 years of experience in SNF and acute care settings with a passion for patient-centered care and dysphagia diagnostics and intervention. I am MBSImP certified with multiple MBSS completed weekly and have successfully completed 25 supervised normal FEES passes. I love the interdisciplinary approach needed in the acute care setting and enjoy collaborating across disciplines, including my fellow rehabilitation specialists as well as hospital-based specialists, intensivists, RNs, CNAs, RTs, ENTs, neurologists, palliative care teams, and discharge planners.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Speech-Language Pathologist
Kaiser Permanente
Santa Rosa, CA
03.2020 - Current
- Conduct comprehensive assessments to identify cognitive-communication and swallowing disorders in the acute care population.
- Develop and implement individualized treatment plans to enhance communication skills and/or treat dysphagia.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to ensure holistic patient care and support.
- MBSImP certified and regularly conduct objective assessments via MBSS for inpatients and outpatients.
- Engage in patient and caregiver training for generalization of skills and to teach compensatory strategies.
- Engage frequently in risk/benefit discussions regarding safety of PO intake with individuals with dysphagia while respecting wishes/goals of care and taking into consideration risk tolerance when making recommendations.
Director of Rehabilitation
Ensign Services - Broadway Villa Post Acute
Sonoma, CA
12.2017 - 06.2019
- Led multidisciplinary team consisting of PTs, OTs, PTAs, COTAs, SLPs, and rehab aide to provide evidence based care to short and long-term skilled nursing patients.
- Developed and implemented strategic rehabilitation programs tailored to individual patient needs.
- Conducted regular performance evaluations, providing constructive feedback to improve team dynamics and service excellence.
- Ensured compliance with state and federal regulations by maintaining accurate documentation and timely reporting.
- Coordinated comprehensive discharge planning to ensure a smooth transition from rehabilitation to home or other facilities with frequent coordination of in home assessments when appropriate.
- Advocated for appropriate frequency/timing/rate of rehab intervention in coordination with rehab professionals providing skilled care.
Director of Rehabilitation
Ensign Services - Ukiah Post Acute
Ukiah, CA
05.2016 - 11.2019
- Led multidisciplinary team consisting of PTs, OTs, PTAs, COTAs, SLPs, and rehab aide to enhance patient rehabilitation outcomes through evidence-based practices.
- Developed and implemented strategic rehabilitation programs tailored to diverse patient needs.
- Conducted regular performance evaluations, providing constructive feedback to improve team dynamics and service excellence.
- Ensured compliance with state and federal regulations by maintaining accurate documentation and timely reporting.
- Coordinated comprehensive discharge planning to ensure a smooth transition from rehabilitation to home or other facilities.
Speech-Language Pathologist
Ensign Services - Ukiah Post Acute
Ukiah, CA
03.2015 - 05.2016
- Conducted comprehensive assessments to identify cognitive-communication and swallowing disorders in both long and short-term patients at skilled nursing facilities.
- Conducted regular screening of patients to determine skilled need.
- Developed and implemented individualized treatment plans to enhance communication skills and/or treat dysphagia.
- RN and caregiver training for carryover of strategies for swallowing and/or communication for generalization of skills.
- Collaboration with interdisciplinary team to ensure the most effective and evidence based patient care.
- Specialized training in Allen Cognitive Levels to provide individualized intervention and cognitively appropriate activities for patients with dementia.
Education
Master of Arts - Communication Disorders
California State University Fresno
Fresno12-2014
Skills
- Collaboration and teamwork with interdisciplinary team
- Multicultural sensitivity
- MBSImP certification with completion of several MBSS weekly
- Proficient with caseload management
- Certified in CPR/AED
- Passion for education and CEUs
- Completion of 25 normal FEES passes under supervision from advanced practice SLP or ENT
- Development of templates for department documentation
Certification
ASHA Certified - 14148783
CA SLP license holder - 23894
MBSImP certified
BLS training up to date
Timeline
Speech-Language Pathologist
Kaiser Permanente
03.2020 - Current
Director of Rehabilitation
Ensign Services - Broadway Villa Post Acute
12.2017 - 06.2019
Director of Rehabilitation
Ensign Services - Ukiah Post Acute
05.2016 - 11.2019
Speech-Language Pathologist
Ensign Services - Ukiah Post Acute
03.2015 - 05.2016
Master of Arts - Communication Disorders
California State University Fresno