Presenter: Rosemary Martino, MA, MSc, PhD
“I especially valued the training materials. They offer a structure for providing instruction and also a reliable method for consistently sharing information.”
– K.D., prior course participant
The Toronto Bedside Swallowing Screening Test (TOR-BSST©) is a dysphagia screening tool developed by Dr. Rosemary Martino and her team, with proven high reliability and validity across the continuum of stroke. It can quickly be administered and interpreted by a trained screener to identify those patients at risk for dysphagia and ensure they are prioritized for Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) assessment.
This course provides the theoretical and practical framework for SLP dysphagia experts who want to implement the TOR-BSST© within their facility and conduct screener training. On successful completion of this training course, SLPs will receive full access to the TOR-BSST© tool, plus web-based screener training modules, supplementary resources, and ongoing support through the Swallowing Lab.
Course is offered for 0.1 ASHA CEUs – 1 Contact Hour.
SLP Training Course
TOR-BSST© Screening Forms
Ready-Made Screener Training Materials
The SLP led screener training includes two web-based presentation modules. The first module overviews swallowing and how to administer TOR-BSST©. The second module features scoring of video patient case examples.
Course Overview – Run Time: 01:08:43
Stop and re-start the course at any point. Learners retain access to course content after completion for ongoing reference and review.
This presentation will focus solely on the Toronto Bedside Swallowing Screening Test (TOR-BSST©). Other assessment approaches will receive limited or no coverage during this lecture. Presenter financial and non-financial disclosures may be found in the Presenter & Disclosures area.
Video PowerPoint presentation with author narration & downloadable handout. Stop and re-start the course at any point. Learners retain access to course content after completion for ongoing reference and review. Includes SLP access to a ready-made screener training presentation and other screener teaching resources.
"Materials were helpful. I liked that the course was quick & easy." A.B. (Dec. 2024)
"I especially valued the screener training materials. They offer a structure for providing instruction and also a reliable method for consistently sharing information." K.D. (Nov. 2024)
"This program is comprehensive and impressive for optimum and efficient care of stroke pts (as well as other neuro pts) who are so vulnerable to swallowing disorders and related respiratory complications such as pneumonia. The TOR-BSST and available resources provide a thorough framework for SLPs to train/educate the staff selected to become screeners. The fact that the information and resources are available online is a positive and convenient method for the SLP to return to the training information for refreshers and additional staff/screener education if needed." B.L. (Nov. 2024)
Dr. Rosemary Martino is a Professor in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto, and a Senior Scientist in the Krembil Research Institute at the University Health Network. She was awarded the inaugural Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Swallowing Disorders (2013-2023). Dr. Martino spent nearly 20 years as a clinical Speech-Language Pathologist. She is a past president and member of the Dysphagia Research Society (DRS), serving on numerous committees and councils, and is also actively involved in developing national and international dysphagia guidelines.
Along with her team, Dr. Martino developed and validated the TOR-BSST© in a sample of over 300 stroke patients in both acute and rehab settings, and has been disseminating the TOR-BSST© to SLPs since 2007. The TOR-BSST© has been distributed to over 500 SLPs across 228 facilities in 26 countries. Dr. Martino holds the copyright for the TOR-BSST©.
Speaker Disclosures:
Financial — Rosemary Martino is presenter of online CE courses sponsored by Northern Speech Services; receives royalties.
Nonfinancial — Rosemary Martino has no relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose.
This program is offered for 0.1 ASHA CEUs (Introductory Level; Professional Area).
ASHA CEUs: NSS online courses are registered with ASHA and are offered for ASHA CEUs. The number of ASHA CEUs is noted above. Note that 0.1 ASHA CEU = 1 contact hour = equals 1 CEE.
ASHA CE Registry: During the enrollment process, if you select to receive ASHA credit for this course and if you provide your ASHA number, NSS will automatically submit your CEU information to the ASHA CE Registry after successful course completion (80% on post test). This submission happens once per month, during the first week of the month. For example, if you complete your course on November 7th, NSS will submit all November online course CEUs to ASHA during the first week of December. When ASHA inputs the information into their database, they will mark the course as completed on the last day of the month in which it was completed, so November 30th using this example. The certificate of completion available for you to print immediately, however, will reflect the actual completion date, November 7th in this example. Due to ASHA processing procedures please allow 2-3 weeks, from the submission date, for the course to appear on your ASHA transcript.
ASHA CEUs: Attendees must meet at least one of the following conditions in order to be eligible to earn ASHA CEUs:
If an attendee is not an ASHA member or CCC holder but meets any of the above criteria, they may inform the ASHA CE Registry of their eligibility by visiting this site.
Licensing Boards: Most state licensing boards DO accept CEUs earned online (usually classified as home-study credits). Some state boards do, however, place a limit to the number of credits that can be earned via home study/online courses. For the most current information, we suggest that you contact your licensing board or agency to verify acceptance policies and/or any credit limits related to home-study courses prior to registering for this course.
Additional accrediting agencies by which Northern Speech is an approved CE provider:
Course Completion Timeframe:
You have unlimited time to complete our online courses. You may log off and log on as often as you’d like to in order to complete all sections of a course.
However, completion dates are based on Eastern Standard Time. Therefore, if you need your CEUs by a certain date, be sure to complete the course test before 11:59pm EST on that date. For example, if you need CEUs before January 1st, you will need to complete the course test before 11:59pm EST on December 31st.
Content Access:
Access to course materials and content does not expire, even after completing the post test. You may continue to review course material by logging into your NSS account, clicking the My Online Courses tab, and then viewing your desired course.
Certificate of Completion:
On successful completion of the post test (80%), a certificate will be immediately available for download and/or printing. This certificate will include your name, date of completion (based on Eastern Time Zone, USA/Canada), and number of contact hours (CEUs / CEEs). Please note that CEUs are awarded on the date of successful test completion, not the date of course enrollment. Please ensure that you successfully complete the post test prior to any licensure renewal dates.
ASHA CE Registry Submission:
During the enrollment process, if you select to receive ASHA credit for this course and if you provide your ASHA number, NSS will automatically submit your CEU information to the ASHA CE Registry after successful course completion (80% on post test). This submission happens once per month, during the first week of the month. For example, if you complete your course on November 7th, NSS will submit all November online course CEUs to ASHA during the first week of December. When ASHA inputs the information into their database, they will mark the course as completed on the last day of the month in which it was completed, so November 30th using this example. The certificate of completion available for you to print immediately, however, will reflect the actual completion date, November 7th in this example. Due to ASHA processing procedures please allow 2-3 weeks, from the submission date, for the course to appear on your ASHA transcript.
Purchase Orders:
Purchase orders are currently not accepted for online orders, if you wish to submit a purchase order please do so at info@northernspeech.com or fax to 888-696-9655.
What is an Online Course?
Our Online Courses consist of video, audio, and/or text content and are offered for ASHA CEUs. Unlike a webinar, which requires participants to be logged on and at a computer at specific times, our Online Courses are available to you at any time, from any device, via your NorthernSpeech.com online account. You may work at your own pace and start and stop your course as you wish. Your course will conclude with a short post test. On successful completion of the post test (>80%), a printable certificate of completion is presented to you.
Receiving CEUs:
Northern Speech is an ASHA CE Provider and our online courses are registered with ASHA and offered for ASHA CEUs. Please note that successful completion of the online post test is required prior to the awarding of CEUs. Please contact your state licensing board for acceptance policies related to CEUs earned online. Please note that courses offered for university students are not applicable for CEUs.
Registering for an online course:
You may browse all online courses by clicking the Continuing Education tab above, then Online Courses. Once you find a course, click Enroll Now, and you will be asked to either log into your existing Northern Speech account or create a new online account. Once you’ve entered your account information and provided your credit card payment, your course will be immediately available to you.
Accessing your purchased course or returning to a purchased course:
You will be able to access your online course by logging into your Northern Speech account and then clicking the My Online Courses tab on your profile screen. Click the course you would like to start or to resume. From there, proceed through the course sections until you are ready to complete the post test. You do not have to complete your course all at once. You may log on and off as you wish.
Testing requirements:
Each online course concludes with a post test consisting of multiple choice or true & false questions. Scores of 80% or greater are required for successful course completion and awarding of CEUs. You may revisit course materials and retest as needed to achieve a passing score.
Number of CEUs offered:
We offer courses from 1 to 21 contact hours. Each course will note the number of CEUs offered. Please note that 0.1 CEU = 1 contact hour = 1 CEE.
State licensing boards and online CEUs:
NSS is an ASHA CE Provider and most state licensing boards DO accept ASHA CEUs earned online (usually classified as home-study credits). Some boards do, however, place a limit to the number of CEUs that can be earned via home study/online courses. For the most current information, we suggest that you contact your licensing board or agency to verify acceptance policies and/or any CEU limits related to home-study courses prior to enrolling in an online course.
Course formats:
Our course formats include: text, audio, video, and PowerPoint with author narration. Each course will note the format on the course description page. Most courses include closed captioning.
Course handouts:
Most of our online courses provide a link to download the accompanying handout as a PDF file.
Group discounts:
Groups of 3 or more are eligible for a 20% discount on each registration on most of our online courses. To receive this discount, registrations need to be processed together via the "Group Rates" tab on the Online Course of your choice.
Computer requirements:
For our online courses to function best, we recommend that you update your computer to include the newest version of your Internet browser (Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Internet Explorer, etc.) and newest version of your computer's operating system. Also a high-speed Internet connection is recommended (cable or DSL). Speakers or headphones will be required for many of our courses as many contain audio components.
Course Cancellation Policy:
A purchased online course can be exchanged, refunded, or transferred to another individual if contact is made with NSS (via phone or email) within 30 days of purchase and the course materials have not been viewed or downloaded.
Special Needs:
Please click here for any special needs requests, and we will do our best to accommodate them.
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