feeding therapist - Kissimmee, FL , USA, United States - Vensure Employer Solutions

Description

Position Summary

As a Feeding Therapist, your primary responsibility is to evaluate and treat individuals, typically children, who experience difficulties with feeding and swallowing.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assessment: Conduct comprehensive assessments to evaluate the individual's feeding and swallowing abilities, considering factors such as oral motor skills, sensory processing, behavior, and medical history.
• Treatment Planning: Develop personalized treatment plans based on assessment findings, collaborating with other healthcare professionals as needed, to address the individual's specific feeding challenges and goals.
• Therapy Sessions: Provide individual or group therapy sessions to improve oral motor coordination, sensory processing, feeding skills, and mealtime behaviors through various techniques, exercises, and activities.
• Parent/Caregiver Education: Educate and train parents, caregivers, and other relevant stakeholders on strategies to support the individual's feeding development and manage feeding difficulties at home and in other settings.
• Collaboration: Work closely with a multidisciplinary team, including speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, pediatricians, dietitians, and other professionals, to ensure coordinated care and holistic support for the individual.
• Documentation: Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation of assessments, treatment sessions, progress reports, and communication with other team members, adhering to legal and ethical standards.
• Continuous Learning: Stay informed about current research, trends, and best practices in feeding therapy and related fields through ongoing professional development, training, and participation in conferences or workshops.
• Advocacy: Advocate for individuals with feeding difficulties and their families, promoting awareness, understanding, and access to appropriate resources and support services in educational and community settings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology, or a related field.
• Certification or licensure as an Occupational Therapist, Speech-Language Pathologist, or equivalent, depending on jurisdiction requirements.
• Specialized training or certification in feeding therapy techniques and interventions (e.g., SOS Approach to Feeding, Beckman Oral Motor Protocol) is preferred.
• Experience working with children and/or individuals with feeding and swallowing disorders, preferably in clinical or educational settings.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Compassion, patience, and empathy for individuals and families facing feeding challenges.
• Ability to adapt interventions and approaches to meet the unique needs and preferences of each individual client