Experience

• 

  Temple university, augmentative communication and empowerment support program

  Jan 2002 - Jan 2005

  Instructor

  •Increased overall independence and communication skills of adolescent and adult participants through instruction of classes focused on augmentative communication device programming, phase generation, and socialization. •Championed participant marketability and socialization by interfacing devices with the internet and email. •Increased participant device use by consulting on device positioning and accessibility options.

• 

  The children's institute of pittsburgh

  Jan 2002 - Jan 2004

  Work study student

  •Improved classroom and home-based capabilities by providing hands-on, supervised treatment with pediatric ADLS.•Increased feeding independence of students with various diagnoses through supervised implementation of positioning, training exercises, food textures, and equipment. •Promoted mobility and strengthening through treatments completed in swimming pool.

• 

  Centers for rehab services, institute for rehabilitation and research

  Jan 2004 - Jan 2006

  Occupational therapist, spinal cord injury unit

  •Managed patient caseload through evaluation, treatment, and discharge planning for patients’ status post various spinal cord injury diagnoses. •Completed occupational therapy evaluation and treatment for patients with diagnoses of traumatic brain injury, CVA, orthopedic surgeries and injuries, as well as geriatric population. •Managed distribution, setup, and inventory of environmental control units and implemented patient training of device use. •Implemented weekly spinal cord injury education classes to patient population, families, and caregivers. Show less

• 

  Semantic compaction® systems, inc.

  Jan 2004 - Jan 2004

  Language and augmentative communication consultant

  •Collaborated on iconicity sequencing project by evaluating user interface and software connectivity.

• 

  Pittsburgh public schools

  Jan 2004 - Jan 2004

  Fieldwork student

  •Increased student independence in the public school setting through screening, evaluation, treatment planning, and implementation of treatment to students in preschool, elementary, and high school settings. •Improved academic and communication capabilities through treatment utilizing various handwriting tools including Handwriting Without Tears and Loops and Other Groups. •Increased wheelchair and communication independence through positioning improvements of devices including head controls, augmentative communication devices, and wheelchair controls. Show less

• 

  Kaplan career institute

  Dec 2006 - Jan 2011

  Instructor - occupational therapy assistant department

  •Provide instruction of curriculum in all realms of occupational therapy, anatomy & physiology, and psychology to occupational therapy assistant students. •Responsible for hands-on training of evidence-based practice treatment techniques.

• 

  Brightwood career institute, formerly kaplan career institute

  Sept 2011 - May 2017

  Director - occupational therapy assistant department

  •Direct and manage students, faculty, and staff of an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant Department.•Responsible for curriculum development and implementation.•Ensure accreditation compliance•Responsible for student development, instruction, and hands-on training of occupational therapy assistant students.

• 

  Gallagher home health services

  May 2017 - Nov 2022

  Occupational therapist
• 

  Pediatric therapy specialists, inc.

  Feb 2022 - now

  Occupational therapist