Jennifer Pastore MS, CCC-SLP
Virginia Beach
Summary
Dynamic Speech-Language Pathologist with extensive experience, recognized for enhancing patient outcomes through effective collaboration and multicultural sensitivity. Proven expertise in Modified Barium Swallow Studies and patient advocacy, fostering strong relationships with patients and families to ensure high-quality care and satisfaction.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Speech-Language Pathologist, Clinical Lead
Chesapeake Regional Healthcare
10.2022 - Current
- Evaluated and diagnosed patients with speech, language, motor speech, and cognitive deficits using various assessments and clinical observations.
- Conducted thorough evaluations of patients'' swallowing abilities, leading to appropriate recommendations for diet modifications or further medical referrals when necessary.
- Conducted swallowing therapy with patients experiencing dysphagia, improving their ability to eat and reducing risk of aspiration.
- Knowledge of IDDSI (International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative) framework.
- Participating in drip tests of IDDSI liquid levels.
- Completed Modified Barium Swallow Studies (MBSS) to instrumentally assess oropharyngeal swallow function and determine safety of po feeds.
- Managed complex cases effectively through close collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, ensuring optimal patient outcomes.
- Monitored vital signs and documented details for informational and treatment purposes.
- Customized therapeutic interventions for culturally diverse populations, ensuring sensitivity to individual values, beliefs, and communication styles while delivering effective care.
- Streamlined documentation processes, ensuring accurate and timely records for all patients.
- Established strong relationships with patients and families, fostering trust and collaboration towards shared treatment goals.
- Increased patient satisfaction by consistently delivering high-quality care and maintaining open lines of communication with families regarding progress updates.
- Mentored new speech-language pathologists, sharing knowledge and experience to enhance team competence.
- Assisted with hiring processes for new team members, ensuring alignment with organizational values and skills requirements for high-quality patient care delivery.
- Organized the daily schedule, yearly weekend schedule, created a holiday rotation, and communicated with flexi staff on a regular basis.
- Attended the Aspiring Leaders Program, a year long program aimed at educating and training new leaders.
- Attend weekly staffing meetings and monthly team lead meetings.
- Assisted in creating yearly department goals.
- Wrote and implemented new policies and procedures pertaining to Speech-Language Pathology and swallowing.
- Assisted in creation of an Aspiration Policy including creating new BPA (Best Practice Advisory) to ease nurses workflow when a patient fails a nursing swallow screen.
- Created competencies related to speech and language, swallowing, modified barium swallow studies, and SLP in the ICU.
- Ordered and restocked food and supplies for the speech office.
- Upheld correct protocols for infection prevention and control.
- Educated new nurses and care partners during orientation about the basics of swallowing, diets and thickened liquids, compensatory swallow strategies, and safe swallowing practices.
- Assisted in creating an information table about SLP's and our roles in swallowing, aspiration precautions, and safe feeding strategies during hospital skills fair in the fall of 2024 and spring of 2025
- Member of the Health and Wellness committee, attended monthly meetings, assisted in the planning and set up of, and participated in events throughout the year.
- A Health and Wellness Champion encouraging others in the rehab department to complete "HealthyMe" activities and earn points for a monetary bonus at the end of the year.
- Completed quarterly RQI (CPR) and yearly HLC's in a timely manner.
Speech-Language Pathologist
Chesapeake Regional Hospital
10.2020 - 10.2022
- Completed screenings, evaluations, and treatments of speech-language, communication, cognitive, motor speech, and swallowing disorders in the young adult, adult, and geriatric population.
- Performed, interpreted, and reported on results of modified barium swallow studies and made appropriate dietary and safety recommendations to decrease risks of aspiration.
- Created and implemented patient specific plans of care and goals related to deficits.
- Created bonds with both patients and families creating a trusting relationship which improved patient outcomes.
- Worked closely with other healthcare professionals to determine the best plan of care for each patient related to swallowing and nutrition, speech-language skills, best means of communication, and cognitive-linguistic skills.
- Completed quarterly RQI (CPR) and yearly HLC's in a timely manner.
Speech-Language Pathologist, PRN
Select Rehab
10.2018 - 10.2020
- Worked on an as needed basis/ PRN in the long term acute care hospital (LTACH) assisting in-house SLP's with evaluating and treating speech-language, communication, cognitive-linguistic, and swallowing disorders in the adult and geriatric population.
- Assessed and treated speech, communication, and swallowing deficits in patients with a tracheostomy on and off of the vent.
- Knowledgeable in cognitive stimulation and completion of the JFK Coma Recovery Scale (JFK CRS).
Speech-Language Pathologist, PRN
Bon Secours
08.2016 - 10.2020
- Worked on an as-needed basis/ PRN assisting in-house SLP's with screening, evaluating, and treating speech-language, communication, cognitive-linguistic, and swallowing disorders in the adult and geriatric population.
- Conducted assessments for speech- language, communication, motor speech, and swallowing disorders to develop personalized treatment strategies for patients in the ICU, CCU, neuro, telemetry, and general floors.
- Completed biannual BLS classes and yearly HLC's in a timely manner.
- Established and maintained detailed patient records to track progress and adjust treatment plans as necessary.
Speech-Language Pathologist, PRN
MFA; Genesis Rehab
07.2013 - 10.2018
- Worked on an as needed basis/ PRN assisting in-house SLP's with screening, evaluating, and treating speech-language, communication, cognitive-linguistic, and swallowing disorders in the adult and geriatric population.
- Worked in a long term acute care hospital (LTACH) and rehab units at Lake Taylor Transitional Care Center (LTTCH).
- Worked with tracheostomy and vent dependent patients on the LTACH side.
- Knowledgeable and competent in suction techniques.
- Worked on the children's unit briefly at LTTCH .
- Worked in several skilled nursing facilities with Medical Facilities of America (MFA).
Fitness Instructor
The Y of Hampton Roads
02.2013 - 10.2018
- Taught Pilates and fitness classes as well as taught indoor cycling.
- Educated gym members on proper form and technique during workouts, reducing the risk of injury while maximizing results.
- Helped clients reach fitness objectives by providing encouragement and motivation.
- Promoted a positive workout environment by fostering strong relationships with clients, resulting in increased customer satisfaction.
- Created an inclusive environment for all participants by modifying exercises to accommodate varying skill levels and physical limitations.
- Designed innovative fitness plans to keep clients engaged.
- Explained use of exercise equipment to all participants, prioritizing safety at all times.
Speech-Language Pathologist, Part Time
Sentara Leigh Hospital
10.2007 - 07.2013
- Completed screenings, evaluations, and treatments of speech-language and cognitive skills, communication, voice, and swallowing within the adult and geriatric population resulting from a variety of disorders/ complications.
- Performed Modified Barium Swallow Studies (MBSS) on the acute side and with out-patients (OP) and made appropriate dietary and safety recommendations based on results. Communicated results of OP MBS with referring MD.
- Completed monthly stroke and swallowing education to nurses and care partners.
- initiated swallowing guidelines to aid in patient safety during meals.
- Worked closely with other health care professionals within and outside of the hospital to determine a patient's best plan of care related to swallowing and nutrition.
- Occasionally attended family meetings with the Palliative Care team to educate family members about their loved ones swallowing deficits and to assist them in making the safest decision in regards to nutrition and feeding.
- Worked with total laryngeactomy patients on an OP basis in placing initial voice prosthesis as well as changing deficient prosthesis.
- Member of the Rehab Partnership Council.
Education
Master of Science - Speech-Language Pathology
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VASkills
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Multicultural sensitivity
- Patient advocacy
- SOAP notes expertise
- Caseload management
- Relationship building
- Patient education
- Certified in CPR/AED
- Active listening
- Organizational skills
- Reliability
- Adaptability
Certification
- State Licensure for Speech-Language Pathologists - Virginia Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.
- Clinical Certification of Competency through the American Speech-Language Hearing Association.
- InHealth voice prosthesis management for patients with total Laryngectomy
- Beckman Oral Motor Assessment & Intervention Workshop Certificate - Beckman & Associates, Inc.
- Basic Life Support Certification (BLS)
Timeline
Speech-Language Pathologist, Clinical Lead
Chesapeake Regional Healthcare
10.2022 - Current
Speech-Language Pathologist
Chesapeake Regional Hospital
10.2020 - 10.2022
Speech-Language Pathologist, PRN
Select Rehab
10.2018 - 10.2020
Speech-Language Pathologist, PRN
Bon Secours
08.2016 - 10.2020
Speech-Language Pathologist, PRN
MFA; Genesis Rehab
07.2013 - 10.2018
Fitness Instructor
The Y of Hampton Roads
02.2013 - 10.2018
Speech-Language Pathologist, Part Time
Sentara Leigh Hospital
10.2007 - 07.2013
Master of Science - Speech-Language Pathology
Old Dominion University
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