Kristen Ashley Pires

Motivated Speech and Language Therapist with experience with adult and paediatric populations in hospitals, clinics, nurseries, schools, and homes. Additional experience in the field of Audiology. I studied in South Africa and worked for 1 year then moved to the United Kingdom and have been working as a paediatric Speech therapist for 2 and a half years. I am highly skilled in areas such as early intervention, dysphagia, autism and hearing difficulties.

Senior Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist, 04/2021 - Current

NHS England - Surrey

• Assessed, diagnosed and treated swallowing and communication difficulties arising from diverse causes
• Utilised appropriate formal and informal testing and assessment protocols to evaluate client needs
• Liaised with parents, families and carers, school teachers, and key workers to advise on issues related to development of speech and language skills
• Evaluated treatment goals and progress on continuous basis to address programme needs
• Documented interventions and patient progress in electronic health records, safeguarding data in alignment with requirements
• Maintained compliance with all health and safety protocols related to ethical therapeutic intervention
• Provided speech and language therapy training, support and advice to members of multidisciplinary teams, assistants and students
• Leveraged experience in special educational needs to support clients with specialised needs including autism, dysphagia, and augmentative and alternative communication
• Created and contributed to Educational Health Care Plans to ensure clients are placed into appropriate educational settings with succinct and effective support
• Managed a team of speech therapists and assistants inclusive of caseload management, monitoring of wait times, supervision, professional guidance, and support

Speech Therapist and Audiologist, 01/2020 - 12/2020 Department of Health - Johannesburg, South Africa

• Conducted autonomous client assessments, evaluating diverse range of communication and audiological support needs
• Conducted ward rounds and case discussions with various members within the medical profession
• Managed an independent caseload of in and out-patients with speech, language, swallowing, and hearing difficulties
• supervised and trained students on clinical placements
• Developed my clinical knowledge in specialised client fields including tracheostomy, prematurity, ICU, trauma, and vestibular pathologies
• Educated patients on prosthetics and assistive devices with thorough demonstrations for maximised understanding

Bachelor of Arts, Speech and Hearing Therapy , 2016- 2019 University of the Witwatersrand - Johannesburg, South Africa