Stephanie Leal
Edinburg,TX
Summary
Seasoned Speech-Language Pathologist with over 20 years of clinical experience in acute care, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, and NICU settings. Expertise in evaluating and treating complex adult and geriatric patients with dysphagia, cognitive-communication disorders, and other speech-related conditions. Proven ability to lead interdisciplinary teams and mentor staff, ready to contribute to an Acute Rehabilitation Supervisor role.
Overview
1
1
Certification
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Speech Pathologist
Rio Grande Regional Hospital
06.2003 - Current
- Evaluated and treated adult and geriatric patients across outpatient and acute care settings.
- Provided speech therapy services for varied patient populations, including trach patients requiring PMV, voice therapy, and dysphagia care.
- Performed bedside swallow evaluations and modified barium swallow studies to inform treatment planning.
- Delivered NICU evaluations and speech therapy for preterm infants, while educating parents on feeding techniques and positioning.
- Managed caseloads effectively across various care settings to ensure timely patient evaluations. across acute care, outpatient, and NICU settings to maintain timely evaluations and quality therapy.
- Partnered with interdisciplinary teams to support coordinated patient care.
- Mentored graduate speech-language pathology students during clinical rotations.
- Trained PRN and newly hired speech-language pathologists on department procedures, documentation standards, and clinical protocols.
- Provided clinical training for FEES to ensure staff competency in procedure and interpretation. for FEES, providing guidance on procedure, interpretation, infection control, and best practices.
- Supported SLP competency development for MBSS and dysphagia management through training and mentorship.
- Participated in recruitment and selection processes for speech-language pathologist candidates, contributing to staffing decisions.
- Developed and delivered continuing education sessions, NICU nursing in-services, Yale swallow screening training, and dysphagia education; supported stroke committee initiatives, policy updates, infection prevention strategies, and consultations with physicians, nurses, rehabilitation staff, and hospital leadership.
- Performed bedside swallow evaluations and modified barium swallow assessments.
- Provided NICU evaluation and therapy for preterm infants and educated parents on feeding methods and positioning.
- Coordinated workload across acute, outpatient, and NICU settings to support timely evaluation and consistent therapy delivery.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to align treatment plans and patient care goals.
- Coached graduate speech-language pathology students through clinical rotations and supervised clinical performance.
- Onboarded PRN and newly hired speech-language pathologists on workflow, documentation expectations, and clinical standards.
- Delivered FEES training to clinicians on procedure technique, interpretation, infection control, and current practice standards.
- Developed training for MBSS providers to strengthen competency in swallow imaging and dysphagia management.
- Contributed to speech-language pathologist hiring through candidate interviews and selection support.
- Led continuing education sessions, NICU nursing education, Yale swallow screening competency training, stroke committee initiatives, policy review, infection prevention coordination, and clinical consultation for medical and rehab teams.
- Supported varied speech therapy caseloads, including trach patients needing PMV, voice therapy, and dysphagia intervention.
- Completed bedside swallow and modified barium swallow evaluations to guide treatment planning.
- Provided NICU speech therapy for preterm infants and educated parents on feeding strategies and positioning.
- Maintained efficient coverage across acute, outpatient, and NICU assignments to support timely, high-quality therapy.
- Strengthened interdisciplinary care through close collaboration with clinical teams.
- Developed student clinicians during graduate rotations with supervision and professional guidance.
- Prepared PRN and newly hired speech-language pathologists for departmental procedures, documentation, and clinical protocols.
- Advanced FEES competency through clinician training on evaluation process, interpretation, infection control, and best practices.
- Improved MBSS and dysphagia practice through mentorship and clinician support.
- Supported staffing decisions through participation in recruitment and interview activities.
- Enhanced department education, NICU nursing training, swallow screening competency, stroke committee initiatives, policy development, infection prevention readiness, and consultative support for physicians, nurses, rehabilitation staff, and hospital leadership.
Speech Pathologist PRN
DHR Rehab/Acute
01.2006 - 01.2014
- Primarily provided speech therapy services for adult/geriatric patients in rehab. Completed evaluations for patients. Managed time effectively between acute and rehab facilities on weekends to ensure continuity of care. when needed between acute and rehab facility on weekends. Conducted modified barium swallow studies on Saturday afternoons as scheduled to support patient diagnostics. Delivered evaluations and bedside swallow therapy in acute setting to address patient needs.
- Evaluated and diagnosed speech disorders in diverse patient populations.
- Developed customized treatment plans to enhance communication skills.
- Collaborated with healthcare teams to coordinate patient care strategies.
Speech Pathologist PRN
Corner Stone Rehab
01.2003 - 01.2005
- Conducted speech evaluations and therapy for adult and geriatric patients with dysphagia and stroke to enhance communication and swallowing abilities.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments for speech and language disorders.
- Developed individualized treatment plans for diverse patient populations.
- Implemented evidence-based therapeutic interventions to enhance communication skills.
Speech Pathologist
Mission Hospital
05.2002 - 06.2003
- Evaluated and delivered speech therapy services for adult and geriatric patients in acute and outpatient settings. Coordinated therapy services and conducted modified barium swallow studies for acute and outpatient patients.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments of patients' speech and language abilities.
- Developed individualized therapy plans to address specific communication needs.
- Implemented evidence-based therapeutic interventions for diverse patient populations.
Education
Masters of Arts -
UTPA
05-2002
Bachelors of Arts -
UTPA
05-1999
Skills
- Dysphagia management
- MBSS performance
- FEES performance
- Patient education
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Time management
- Bilingual communication
Certification
Vital stim certified, MBsimp certified, NOMAS certified 2013-2015, CPR certified
Timeline
Speech Pathologist PRN
DHR Rehab/Acute
01.2006 - 01.2014
Speech Pathologist
Rio Grande Regional Hospital
06.2003 - Current
Speech Pathologist PRN
Corner Stone Rehab
01.2003 - 01.2005
Speech Pathologist
Mission Hospital
05.2002 - 06.2003
Masters of Arts -
UTPA
Bachelors of Arts -
UTPA