November’s Clinician Who Inspires is Amy Hill, SLP/DOR and Champion Level I Therapist at Portland Health and Rehabilitation Center. In our interview, Amy shared a valuable perspective on resident communication, innovative strategies to ensure interdisciplinary communication, and creative treatment approaches that motivate her residents.
With the unique ability to speak three languages, experience working for a translation company, and current livelihood as a speech language therapist, Amy demonstrates a vibrant passion for communication. She spoke on the importance of a resident’s ability to communicate their needs, regardless of their native tongue or medical history. In her practice Amy has seen great benefit from the use of communication boards using pictures, visual aids and tools for use of resources, as well as continual education with all staff and caregivers on individualized speech strategies for each resident.
Along with resident communication, Amy esteems interdisciplinary communication of the utmost importance as well. In her building, Amy has implemented various communication strategies to allow therapy staff to provide valuable information related to resident appointments, planned groups, notable changes in function, and discharge plans. Through the use of communication binders and white boards, the therapy staff has found a way to remain connected, even when they are working at different times of the day.
One of Amy’s greatest learning experiences working in a skilled nursing facility has been to adapt her approach according to what is most meaningful and functional for each resident. She stated that “without patient buy in, you’re not going to get anywhere”. Amy always takes time during her initial encounter to interview the resident to learn about their interests, motivators, and what areas of function are most important to them, to in turn, develop goals and treatment approaches tailored to the individual. Some examples include treatment that focuses on turn taking and math to allow a resident to perform better at their weekly poker match or practicing finances with a short-term resident to allow them to pay their bills when they return home.
Amy, thank you for your enthusiasm, care, and passion in all that you do. Your efforts are an inspiration to us all!