Sara Flater
Littleton,CO
Summary
Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and Utilization Manager with UnitedHealthcare Community & State Medicaid Plan. Proven ability to manage multiple Medicaid business lines across Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Arizona.Skilled in interpreting and educating stakeholders on state-specific coverage determination guidelines. A proactive and collaborative team member who effectively navigates change, implements new policies, and builds strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
C&S Care Coordinator/Utilization Manager
Optum Health
01.2019 - Current
- Provide utilization management reviews for Outpatient Speech Therapy requests for Medicaid services. Manages multiple lines of business. Provide written and verbal provider education on requirements for prior authorization reviews and state policies. Collaborate with PT/OT for case management to optimize consistency in reviews in a fast-paced environment. Proven consistency in results as measured by productivity and audit metrics . Provides feedback to policy team regarding coverage determination guidelines and suggestions for revisions and updates to policies.
Speech Language Pathologist
Swedish Medical Center
01.2014 - 01.2019
- Responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of adult patients with a variety of disorders including Aphasia, Dysarthria, Apraxia, TBI, and Dysphagia, primarily in the Inpatient Rehab Setting with experience in the Acute Care Setting. Served on a multidisciplinary team with Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Nursing, Social Work and Physicians. Responsible for managing complex and fluid schedules. Formulated and implemented individualized goals for patients. Participated in hospital Safety Committee and member of corporate wide International Dysphagia Diet task force.
Speech Language Pathologist
Castle Rock Adventist Hospital
08.2013 - 08.2014
- Responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of adult patients with a variety of disorders including Aphasia, Dysarthria, Apraxia, TBI, and Dysphagia in the Inpatient Acute setting. Completed Outpatient speech/language and cognitive evaluations and provided therapeutic treatment. Provide Staff education on National Dysphagia Diet, Dysphagia, and Oral Care. Established effective communication systems with other part-time staff.
Speech Language Pathologist
Sewall Child Development Center
09.2011 - 08.2014
- Responsible for the comprehensive assessment and diagnosis of children with suspected speech/language disorders. Provide treatment to children with a variety of speech/language/communication disorders including articulation and phonological disorders, genetic disorders, down syndrome, and autism in an inclusive environment. Served on a multidisciplinary team which consists of a general educator, special educator, OT, and PT to formulate and implement treatment plans. Provided quarterly updates on child’s progress and participated in IEP meetings. Formulated IEP goals based on each student’s needs. Communicated with parents on students’ progress and provided strategies to implement in the home to increase outcomes.
Speech Language Pathologist
Vibra Hospital
10.2011 - 08.2013
- Responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of adult patients with a variety of disorders including: Aphasia, Dysarthria, Apraxia, RHLD, TBI, Voice Impairments, and Dysphagia. Performed Bedside Swallow Evaluations and determine least restrictive diet. Performed Passy-Muir Valve evaluations and treatments. Communicated effectively to full time staff regarding patient progress.
- PRN- as needed
SLP-A Supervisor
Community Leadership Academy
08.2012 - 05.2013
- Responsible for the direct supervision of the school’s SLP-A to provide services to school aged children. Completed Initial Evaluations, Triennial Reviews, and Annual Reviews. Participated in IEP meetings and collaborate with Special Education team members.
Speech Language Pathologist
AMN Healthcare-University Specialty Hospital
06.2011 - 09.2011
- Responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of adult patients with a variety of disorders including Aphasia, Dysarthria, Apraxia, RHLD, TBI, Voice Impairments, and Dysphagia. Performed Bedside Swallow Evaluations. Established and implemented alternative and augmentative communication systems for a variety of patients with non-verbal communication needs.
Speech Language Pathologist
Soliant Healthcare-Aurora Public Schools/Denver Public Schools
03.2010 - 05.2010
- Responsible for the comprehensive assessment and diagnosis of children with suspected speech/language disorders, participated in IEP meetings, and formulated IEP goals based on each student’s needs. Provided in-class and pull-out services to children with a variety of speech and language disorders including: autism, PDD, genetic disorders, and cognitive deficits based on the child’s needs. Communicated with team members to enhance children’s progress. Completed Child Find Evaluations, Screenings, and IFSP’s with local early intervention agency to identify children with a variety of speech and language disorders.
Speech Language Pathologist
University Specialty Hospital
07.2008 - 02.2010
- Responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of adult patients with a variety of disorders, including Aphasia, Dysarthria, Apraxia, RHLD, TBI, Voice impairments. Performed evaluations and patient specific treatment of Dysphagia using both Bedside Swallow Evaluation as well as Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing. Established and implemented augmentative communication for TBI and aphonic trach and vent patients. Performed evaluations and formulated treatment plans for trach/vent patients, including Passy-Muir valve and in-line Passy-Muir Valve evaluations. Participated in multi-disciplinary rounds weekly. Assisted in ENT weekly rounds with otolaryngologist. Experienced with providing consult services in our facilities ALS clinic by providing recommendations for AAC devices, completing AAC evaluations for identified patients at an outpatient level, and providing diet recommendations and requesting orders for Modified Barium Swallow Studies as appropriate. Responsible for the supervision and education of both graduate level and CFY students.
Speech Language Pathologist
The Columbus Organization - Baltimore City Public Schools
08.2006 - 06.2008
- Responsible for the comprehensive assessment and diagnosis of children with suspected speech/language disorders. Responsible for providing services for 45-50 students for the rehabilitation of speech and language disorders including, Autism, PDD, articulation and phonological disorders and other developmental delays. Provided low tech alternative augmentative communication systems for non-verbal students. Collaborated with AAC team to determine most functional form of communication system for students with identified AAC needs. Participated in IEP meetings, Formulated IEP goals based on each student’s needs, and communicated with team members to achieve targeted goals. Provided in-class and pull-out services based on the child’s needs.
Education
Master of Science - Speech Pathology
Towson University
Towson, MD05.2006
Bachelor of Science - Pre-Speech Pathology/Audiology
West Liberty State College
West Liberty05.2004
Skills
Clinical & Care Coordination
- Certified Speech-Language Pathologist
- Comprehensive Case Management
- Provider Education
- Therapy Program Development
- Medical Terminology Understanding
Utilization & Plan Management
- Utilization Management
- Multiple State Medicaid Plan Management
- Insurance Practices
- Policy Adherence
- Quality Assurance
Leadership & Collaboration
- Supervisory Experience
- Multidisciplinary Team Collaboration
- Team Collaboration
- Client Relationship Management
Operations & Administration
- Healthcare Operations
- Workflow Management
- Documentation Proficiency
- Data Entry
- HIPAA Compliance
Analytical & Technical Skills
- Data Analysis and Reporting
- Microsoft Office Proficiency
- Process Improvements
Core Competencies
- Clear Communication
- Problem-Solving
- Decision-Making
- Goal Setting
- Time Management
- Multitasking & Organization
- Strong Organizational Skills
Certification
Certificate of Clinical Competence
Vital Stim Certified
MBSImP Certified
Timeline
C&S Care Coordinator/Utilization Manager
Optum Health
01.2019 - Current
Speech Language Pathologist
Swedish Medical Center
01.2014 - 01.2019
Speech Language Pathologist
Castle Rock Adventist Hospital
08.2013 - 08.2014
SLP-A Supervisor
Community Leadership Academy
08.2012 - 05.2013
Speech Language Pathologist
Vibra Hospital
10.2011 - 08.2013
Speech Language Pathologist
Sewall Child Development Center
09.2011 - 08.2014
Speech Language Pathologist
AMN Healthcare-University Specialty Hospital
06.2011 - 09.2011
Speech Language Pathologist
Soliant Healthcare-Aurora Public Schools/Denver Public Schools
03.2010 - 05.2010
Speech Language Pathologist
University Specialty Hospital
07.2008 - 02.2010
Speech Language Pathologist
The Columbus Organization - Baltimore City Public Schools
08.2006 - 06.2008
Master of Science - Speech Pathology
Towson University
Bachelor of Science - Pre-Speech Pathology/Audiology
West Liberty State College
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