Clinicians Who Inspire – Amy Hill, SLP/DOR – November 2024

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!

Clinicians Who Inspire – Beth Sines – October 2024

This October, we feature Beth Sines, OTA/Director of Rehab and Champion Level II Therapist at South Shore Nursing and Rehabilitation, as Reliant’s Clinician Who Inspires! In speaking with Beth, her passion for her profession, residents, and teammates was radiant.

Beth has been an OTA for 17 years and is currently studying to achieve a master’s degree in occupational therapy. Through her studies she has reignited a vision for therapy interventions that are individualized and purposeful to each resident, without sacrificing fun. Beth uses Tik Tok, Pinterest, and Reliant group emails to spark ideas for individual and group activities that might be a little unexpected for residents who are used to ‘run of the mill’ therapy exercises. Take, for example, an activity that incorporates residents shooting Nerf guns at therapists wearing deer antlers (for the hunters of the group), or at helium balloons with pictures of ghosts on them for a ‘Ghostbusters’ twist. Another example Beth shared was providing the opportunity to prepare silverware sets as a functional task that would also allow residents to give back to their community. Beth continues to see increased enthusiasm in residents as her team garners creativity and meaning into their therapy interventions.

In our interview, Beth also discussed the importance of interdisciplinary relationships. Beth expressed gratitude for the support she and her therapy team receive from their facility partners. She highlighted the importance of being adaptable in her interactions, mediating challenges with open communication, and being open to constructive feedback as a few key ways to interdisciplinary success.

Beth, thank you for your passion for quality care. Your efforts are an inspiration to us all!

Clinicians Who Inspire – Jonathan Perkins – September 2024

This month’s Clinician Who Inspires is Jonathan Perkins, PTA/DOR, Champion Level II Therapist at Canton Oaks. Jonathan shared many thoughts on the role that having a positive attitude plays on both team members and each patient’s success. He believes that his playful and joyous demeanor sets the tone for having great workdays and therapy sessions. Even if he is having a bad day, he does what he can to turn things around and be a positive, light-hearted motivator for all.

Jonathan shared that on every Thursday, his therapy team leads “Fun with Therapy” for the facility. They walk throughout the facility encouraging residents to come out of their room to get them moving, stretching, and communicating. The activity motto is to “keep moving” and the therapy team also uses it as an opportunity to talk with residents and keep open communication about any changes that they may be experiencing.

Another unique activity that Jonathan helps to coordinate is working with the Activities Director to facilitate a daily activity for residents in therapy.  The Activities Director comes into the therapy gym each day to initiate activities and/or discussions that are beneficial to each patient’s goal achievement.

Jonathan also discussed the importance of continuous education and sharing newfound knowledge with others. He has taken a plethora of courses centered around fall prevention and shares learned tips through daily communication with both the therapy team and facility staff.  He encourages everyone to continually learn new things and share!

Jonathan, you are an inspiration to all of us! We appreciate your dedication to your patients, your team, and your entire facility’s success. Thank you for being a Clinician Who Inspires!

Career Compass – September

Top Therapy Roles: Hiring Nation-Wide at Reliant

Career Compass, The Path to your Clinical Future

September 1, 2024 — 3 min read

Just Added—Top Rehabilitation Jobs

Reliant Rehab is excited to announce the expansion of our Total Rewards package, including 401K matching, a discount program, maternity support, and more—all available to our dedicated employees. If you are pursuing a career in rehabilitation, this is the best time to find exciting opportunities for therapists, coordinators, rehab techs, and more at Reliant Rehab. 

As a leading therapy partner, Reliant Rehab offers therapy job opportunities across the United States for every stage of your career journey. Whether you are a recent graduate looking to gain experience, or aiming for a leadership role, Reliant is committed to supporting your career growth. We’ve gathered the hottest therapy positions for September, all in one place. Discover a rewarding career in therapy today!

Physical Therapy Jobs

Anchor your potential with a fulfilling career in physical therapy, featuring a wealth of online resources, engagement activities, training programs, and more. Reliant collaborates with over 900 skilled nursing facilities, providing physical therapists and other employees with a supportive environment where they can deliver exceptional patient care. Apply for the hottest PT and PTA jobs today.

Occupational Therapy Jobs

Ready to set sail towards a rewarding career in occupational therapy? Enjoy flexibility, competitive pay, and a complete benefits package. As a company founded by therapists, Reliant is committed to providing all our employees, including occupational therapists, with a variety of opportunities for career advancement and growth into leadership roles. Explore the most sought-after OT and COTA jobs on the market.

Speech Therapy Jobs

Make waves in speech therapy with a supporting company like Reliant! Receive competitive compensation, direct access to leadership, performance recognition, and more. As a company with a national footprint, Reliant offers flexible roles and unique leadership opportunities for speech language pathologists focused on growth. Discover detailed job descriptions for in-demand SLP opportunities below.

Therapy Leadership Jobs and More

Rehab jobs are on the rise! With over 20 years of dedicated experience in the healthcare and rehabilitation industry, Reliant offers incredible opportunities in the rehabilitation field. Each career comes with a Total Rewards package, thoughtfully curated by Reliant’s employees; to support your professional journey and ensure you have a healthy work-life balance. Your career awaitsexplore open roles now!

Work at Reliant

At Reliant, we do our best for you so that you can do your best for patients. We strive to provide you with the compensation, development, and support you need to focus on your commitment to patient care.

If you cannot find the career your compass points towards, keep an eye out for the next Career Compass Blog released monthly with featured hot jobs in rehabilitation. Interested in a corporate career or student role at Reliant? Don’t see your specialty above or just can’t wait for the next blog? Check out the full list of opened positions at Reliant or contact us directly for more info! Stay connected with Reliant, get insights into our culture, and learn about our team through our LinkedIn Life Page. 

Clinicians Who Inspire – Julie Kidd – August 2024

This month’s Clinician Who Inspires is Julie Kidd, DOR and SLP at Faith Community Nursing and Rehabilitation. In conversation, Julie spoke of the importance of keeping patients involved both in the facility and out in the community. Since Faith Community Nursing and Rehabilitation is embedded within the city, a favorite activity for patients is signing out and walking/propelling to the nearby Dollar Store with therapy. Of course, Julie and the therapy team at Faith make this a functional activity by planning in the days prior – making a list of items needed, planning anticipated rest breaks needed with walking, and problem solving the best time of day for this adventure, in lieu of the Texas heat. Using an interdisciplinary approach, PT works with the patients on navigating around obstacles like potholes on the journey while ST works on memory tasks, such as remembering the items from the list, and safety awareness. A main goal that Julie hopes to accomplish this year is setting up the opportunity for patients to read books to the children in the nearby school. This would be another great way for them to connect with the community.

Julie proudly shared other fun and interactive activities that her team coordinates. They host a wheelchair “car wash” day.  Using a multidisciplinary approach, the patients get to plan and then participate in washing their wheelchairs to make them sparkly clean. Patients also routinely water plants outside of the facility. Therapists make the activity functional for speech sessions by working on memory, sequencing, and problem solving throughout the watering task.

As a speech therapist, Julie spoke in detail about the importance of rounding during meals. She explained that it’s important to interact with the patients during mealtime to promote socialization, but also to allow for a closer eye on patients with dysphagia to ensure carryover of tasks from therapy to their real-life environment. 

Julie, your out of the box approach to treatment and patient care challenges us all to stretch our imagination and put the “fun” back in function. You truly are a Clinician Who Inspires!

Career Compass – August

Therapy Jobs to Look into with Fall Around the Corner

Career Compass, The Path to your Clinical Future

August 1, 2024 — 3 min read

Just Added—Top Rehabilitation Jobs

With the launch of Reliant’s new Total Rewards package, an expanded version of your standard benefits package, right now is the absolute best time to be part of a company backed by therapists. So, if you are pursuing a career in rehabilitation, you can find exciting opportunities for therapists, coordinators, rehab techs, and more at Reliant Rehab. 

As a leading therapy partner, Reliant Rehab offers therapy job opportunities across the United States for every stage of your professional journey. Whether you’re a recent graduate looking to gain more experience, or aiming for a leadership role in therapy, Reliant is committed to supporting career growth. We have the latest therapy positions for July, all in one place. Find a rewarding career in therapy today.

Physical Therapy Jobs

Ready to set sail towards a rewarding career in physical therapy, offering flexibility, competitive pay, and a comprehensive benefits package? As a company founded by therapists, Reliant is committed to providing all our employees, including physical therapists, with opportunities for career advancement and growth into leadership roles. Explore the hottest PT jobs on the market.

Occupational Therapy Jobs

On the horizon ahead, you will spot an abundance of occupational therapy careers with Reliant! Receive competitive compensation, direct access to leadership, performance recognition, and more. As a company with a national footprint, Reliant offers flexible roles and unique leadership opportunities for therapists focused on growth. Discover detailed job descriptions for in-demand OT opportunities below.

Speech Therapy Jobs

Speech therapy jobs are on the rise! With over 20 years of dedicated experience in the industry, Reliant can provide incredible opportunities for Speech Language Pathologists. Each career comes with a Total Rewards package, thoughtfully curated by Reliant’s employees, to support your professional journey and ensure a healthy work-life balance. Your SLP job awaits—explore open roles now! 

Therapy Leadership Jobs and More

Capture your potential with a fulfilling career in rehabilitation, featuring a wealth of online resources, engagement activities, training programs, and more. Reliant collaborates with over 900 skilled nursing facilities to provide clinicians and employees with a supportive environment where they can deliver exceptional patient care. Apply for the hottest rehab jobs today. 

Work at Reliant

We do our best for you so that you can do your best for patients. Reliant Rehab is committed to providing employees with the compensation, development, and support they need to focus on their commitment to patient care.

If you cannot find the career your compass points towards, keep an eye out for the next Career Compass Blog released monthly with featured hot jobs in rehabilitation. If you are interested in a corporate career or student role at Reliant, don’t see your specialty above, or just can’t wait for the next blog, check out the full list of opened positions at Reliant or contact us directly for more info! Keep up with Reliant, get insight into our culture, and learn more about our team through our LinkedIn Life Page. 

Clinicians Who Inspire – Andrew Gerben – July 2024

This month’s Clinician Who Inspires is Andrew Gerben, COTA/DOR, and Champion Level I Therapist at The Woodlands. Andrew shared that taking an interdisciplinary, “all hands-on deck”, approach to patient care has been a huge factor in his team’s success. He emphasized that getting along and working well with team members allows the utmost focus to be on the patient. They see great value in co-treatments and multi-disciplinary group activities, which are common practice in their gym.

Andrew discussed unique group ideas and said that his team utilizes Reliant’s monthly activity idea emails and A Year of Wellness themes for inspiration. Some of the groups gain such positive feedback from the residents that they are made into yearly traditions, such as the blooming spring gardening.

Andrew’s “team” mentality goes far beyond his therapy team. He also takes pride in his role of being a facility liaison and bridging communication and education between therapy and nursing. He hosts monthly in-services for all staff to review proper transfer techniques and make sure that everyone feels confident. He enthusiastically shared that everyone knows if there is a question, he will find the answer!

Andrew discussed the importance of continuous learning. His entire team is now part of Reliant’s Clinical Ladder, and each therapist is focusing on a different track. He said that this allows for them to share knowledge and be more well-rounded as a team.

Andrew, you are an inspiration to all of us! We appreciate your dedication to not only your patients but your facility’s success as a whole. Thank you for being a Clinician Who Inspires!

Career Compass – July

Therapy Opportunities: Embrace the Summer Job Market

Career Compass, The Path to your Clinical Future

July 11, 2024 — 3 min read

Just Posted—Top Therapy Opportunities

With Reliant Rehabilitation on the move to expand our Total Rewards package available to all employees, therapists are jumping at the therapy opportunities as they post. So, if you’re pursuing a career in rehabilitation, you can find exciting opportunities for therapists, coordinators, rehab techs, and more at Reliant Rehab. 

As a leading therapy partner, Reliant Rehab offers nationwide career opportunities in rehabilitation for every stage of your professional journey. Whether you’re a recent graduate looking to gain more experience, or aiming for a leadership role, Reliant is committed to supporting career growth. We have the latest therapy positions for July, all in one place. Find a rewarding career in therapy today.

Physical Therapy Jobs

On the horizon ahead, spot a variety of careers in physical therapy with Reliant! Receive competitive compensation, direct access to leadership, performance recognition, and more. As a company with a national footprint, Reliant offers flexible roles and unique physical therapy leadership opportunities. Discover detailed job descriptions for in-demand PT opportunities below.

Occupational Therapy Jobs

Are you interested in a rehabilitation job as an Occupational Therapist? With 20- plus years of dedicated experience in the industry, Reliant can provide various opportunities in occupational therapy. Each career comes with a Total Rewards package, thoughtfully curated by Reliant’s employees, to support your professional journey and ensure a healthy work-life balance. Your OT career awaits—explore jobs now!

Speech Therapy Jobs

Capture your potential with a fulfilling career in speech therapy, featuring a wealth of online resources, engagement activities, training programs, and more. Reliant collaborates with over 900 skilled nursing facilities to provide Speech Language Pathologists and other clinicians with a supportive environment where they can deliver exceptional patient care. Apply for the hottest SLP jobs today.

Therapy Leadership Opportunities

Set sail towards a rewarding career in rehabilitation, offering flexibility, competitive pay, and a comprehensive benefits package. As a company founded by therapists, Reliant is committed to providing all our employees with opportunities for career advancement and growth into leadership roles. Explore the latest rehab careers.

Work at Reliant

We do our best for you so that you can do your best for patients. Reliant Rehab is committed to providing employees with the compensation, development, and support they need so that they can focus on their commitment to patient care. 

If you cannot find the career your compass points towards, keep an eye out for the next Career Compass Blog released monthly with featured hot jobs in rehabilitation. If you are interested in a corporate career or student role at Reliant, don’t see your specialty above, or just can’t wait for the next blog, check out the full list of opened positions at Reliant or contact us directly for more info! Keep up with Reliant, get insight into our culture, and learn more about our team through our LinkedIn Life Page. 

Clinicians Who Inspire – Stephanie Garza – June 2024

This month’s Clinician Who Inspires is Stephanie Garza, Champion Level II Therapist, PTA, and Director of Rehabilitation at Lone Star Ranch Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center. Stephanie discussed the importance of therapy for our residents and therapists’ responsibility to provide tools that will allow them to be as functional as possible.

In conversation, Stephanie spoke about the residents’ love for group therapy, sharing that the excitement is palpable on their journey to the gym to participate in a fun group sessions. Stephanie and her team are constantly thinking of creative ways to perform therapy, citing a deer hunt interdisciplinary group as one of her favorites. During this activity, they brought blow up deer and Nerf guns to the facility and gathered the residents outside for a “deer hunt”.  PT worked with the residents on standing balance, OT focused on fine motor skills and hand eye coordination, while ST worked on following Nerf gun instructions. These interactive experiences during group therapy allowed residents to enjoy themselves while working on functional progress.

Professional growth is of utmost importance to Stephanie; not just for herself, but the growth of her team as well. Stephanie explained that most of the therapy staff at Lone Star are also clinical instructors. With the new addition of the Clinical Instructor path on Reliant’s Clinical Advancement Ladder, Stephanie has encouraged her team to continue to climb the ladder. She added that it’s important to share education with the team because “the more knowledge you have, the more effective you are.”

Stephanie, you are an inspiration to all of us. Thank you for being a Clinician Who Inspires!

Career Compass – June

Summer Opportunities: Explore Hot Therapy Jobs

Career Compass, The Path to your Clinical Future

June 17, 2024 — 3 min read

Newly Added — Hot Therapy Jobs

The summer heat of June brings a sizzling market for therapy jobs! So, if you’re pursuing a rehab career, now is the best time to find exciting opportunities for therapists, coordinators, rehab techs, and more at Reliant Rehabilitation. 

As a leading therapy partner, Reliant Rehab offers nationwide career opportunities in rehabilitation for every stage of your professional journey. Whether you’re a recent graduate, looking to gain more experience, or aiming for a leadership role, Reliant is committed to supporting career growth. We have the hottest therapy jobs for June, all in one place. Your rewarding career in therapy is just around the corner.

Physical Therapy Jobs

Are you interested in a rehabilitation job as a Physical Therapist? With over 20 years of dedicated experience in the industry, Reliant offers a variety of opportunities in physical therapy. Each career comes with a Total Rewards package, thoughtfully curated by Reliant’s own employees, to support your professional journey and ensure a healthy work-life balance. Your PT career awaits—explore jobs below!

Occupational Therapy Jobs

Unlock your potential with a fulfilling career in occupational therapy, featuring a wealth of online resources, engagement activities, training programs, and more. Reliant collaborates with over 900 skilled nursing facilities to provide Occupational Therapists and other clinicians with a supportive environment where they can deliver exceptional patient care. Explore and apply for the latest OT jobs today.

Speech Therapy Jobs

Embark on a rewarding career in speech therapy, offering flexibility, competitive pay, and a comprehensive benefits package. As a company founded by therapists, Reliant is committed to providing Speech Language Pathologists and other employees with opportunities for career advancement and growth into leadership roles. Explore the latest SLP careers here.

More Therapy Jobs

Explore the vast landscape of rehabilitation jobs with Reliant! Expect competitive compensation, direct access to leadership, performance recognition, and more. As a company with a national presence, Reliant offers flexible roles and unique leadership opportunities in rehabilitation. Discover detailed job descriptions for in-demand rehab positions below.

Work at Reliant

We do our best for you so that you can do your best for patients. Reliant Rehab is committed to providing employees with the compensation, development, and support that they need so that they can focus on their commitment to patient care. Keep up with Reliant, get insight into our culture, and learn more about our team through our LinkedIn Life Page

If you cannot find the career your compass points towards, keep an eye out for the next Career Compass Blog released monthly with featured hot jobs in rehabilitation. If you are interested in a corporate career or student role at Reliant, don’t see your specialty above, or just can’t wait for the next blog, check out the full list of open positions at Reliant or contact us directly for more info!

Career Compass – May

In-Demand Therapy Careers to Consider Before Summer

Career Compass, The Path to your Clinical Future

May 24, 2024 — 3 min read

Just Released — Open Therapy Positions

May’s temps are on the rise with the recent heat wave of therapy positions in high demand! If you are looking for a career in rehabilitation, discover nationwide opportunities for therapists, coordinators, rehab techs, and more at Reliant Rehabilitation.

As a leading therapy partner, Reliant Rehab provides careers in rehabilitation at every stage of your professional journey. Whether you are fresh out of college, seeking more experience, or aiming for a leadership role, Reliant is here to help you grow. We have the hottest jobs on the market for the month of May, all in one place. Your career in therapy is on the horizon.

Physical Therapy Careers

Uncover your potential with a meaningful physical therapy career that includes a wide range of online resources, engagement activities, training programs, and more. Reliant partners with over 900 skilled nursing facilities to give Physical Therapists and other clinicians a supportive workplace where they can fully care for patients. Apply for the newest PT opportunities below.

Occupational Therapy Careers

Dive into an impactful career in occupational therapy with flexibility, competitive pay, and a full benefits package. As a company founded by therapists, Reliant strives to provide you with opportunities to advance in your career and grow into leadership positions. Research the latest physical therapy opportunities today!

Speech Therapy Careers

Survey the land ahead and scope out top speech therapy careers! At Reliant, you can expect competitive compensation, real-time access to leadership, performance recognition, and more. Working at a company with a national footprint creates flexible roles and unique opportunities in rehabilitation. Find the job descriptions below for in-demand Speech Language Pathologist roles.

More Therapy Careers

Interested in rehabilitation but not as a therapist? Or maybe you are therapist looking to level up your career. With over 20 years of dedicated experience in the industry, Reliant offers opportunities for leadership, technicians, coordinators, and corporate roles in addition to therapist positions. Each career comes with a Total Rewards package curated by Reliant’s employees to support your career and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Click to reveal your dream job!

Work at Reliant

We do our best for you so that you can do your best for patients. Reliant Rehab is committed to providing employees with the compensation, development, and support they need so that they can focus on their commitment to patient care.

If you cannot find the career your compass points towards, keep an eye out for the next Career Compass Blog released monthly with featured hot jobs in rehabilitation. If you are interested in a corporate career or student role at Reliant, don’t see your specialty above, or just can’t wait for the next blog, check out at Reliant or contact us directly for more info!

Clinicians Who Inspire – Tricia Peña – May 2024

Join us in celebrating this month’s Clinician Who Inspires: Tricia Peña, SLP and Champion Level I Therapist from Westgate Hills Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center! As the month of May welcomes bright skies, colorful blooms, and National Speech-Language-Hearing Month, it seems only fitting to shine a light on Tricia’s positivity and fresh take on speech therapy in skilled nursing homes. 

Tricia didn’t initially see herself working with geriatrics, but as she became aware of the perseverance and wisdom this population embodies, she saw it as a privilege. Tricia recognizes that some of her residents feel as though they are nearing their final stages of life. She believes that her attitude, as well as yours and mine, have the capacity to bring joy to these moments that may be precious to our residents.

Practically speaking, Tricia shared three factors to success as an SLP in the skilled nursing setting. First: teamwork. Tricia painted the picture of an SLP siloed in their efforts with a resident and contrasted this image to one of an SLP working in collaboration with PT, OT, social work, nursing, and the physician. In her comparison of these two scenarios, it was evident that not only the SLP’s training and techniques, but those of all disciplines, were more effective when carried over by all members of the interdisciplinary team. Next, Tricia discussed the importance of implementing her interventions within an authentic, functional context. She shared that she tries to provide her treatments outside of the resident’s room and incorporate real-life scenarios, to increase meaning and relatability to the task. Finally, Tricia touched on the value of continued learning throughout her career as an SLP. Tricia has taken advantage of some of the courses available on Reliant University, as well as the opportunity to participate in the Clinical Ladder program. Specifically, she highlighted the course “Disorders and Medications That Impact Swallowing,” describing it as eye-opening and beneficial to her everyday practice.

As Tricia shared her experiences, her light and her love for speech language therapy shined bright. Thank you, Tricia, for your inspiration, and Happy National Speech-Language-Hearing Month!

Clinicians Who Inspire – Diane Heiderman – April 2024

Join us in celebrating April’s Clinician Who Inspires — Diane Heiderman! As an aspiring Champion Level II Therapist, COTA and Director of Rehab at Collingswood Nursing and Rehab, Diane shared that she contributes much of her success to being proactive versus reactive. She explained that being proactive with communication regarding any changes noted to a resident can help the entire care team intervene early, which in turn is a win for the patient. She loves nothing better than celebrating those wins with her patients!

Diane spoke of the importance of working together as a care team. She said it is important to always be teachable and moldable because many times we wear many different hats in a day. Working together to make the whole patient story come together is what she feels maximizes the patient’s quality of life and leads to successful discharge.

For fun team building, Diane and her team celebrate wacky holidays! Recently they celebrated National Cereal Day. Each team member brought a different box of cereal, and they had many laughs throughout the day trying the different cereals.

Diane loves her profession and says that helping people is what drives her endless commitment. Thank you, Diane, for sharing your passion and inspiring other clinicians to continue the important work we do every day! Happy Occupational Therapy month!

Career Compass – April

Spring into the Hottest Therapy Jobs of the Season

Career Compass, The Path to your Clinical Future

April 25, 2024

Just Released — Open Therapy Roles

As spring brings in new jobs across the rehabilitation industry, it also attracts top applicants. Whether you are a new graduate fresh out of college or a seasoned professional climbing further up the ladder of success, you can explore therapy jobs nationwide at Reliant.

As a leading therapy partner, Reliant Rehab offers rewarding rehabilitation careers, ranging from rehab techs to physical therapists to Directors of Rehabilitation. This is the season of exciting opportunities, so spring into the hottest therapy jobs of the month!

Physical Therapy Roles

Plant yourself in a fulfilling physical therapy career that rewards you with growth opportunities, competitive pay, and a comprehensive benefits package. From a company started by therapists, Reliant always aims to provide you with a role that is flexible to your needs and compatible with your goals. Explore the latest physical therapy opportunities today! 

Occupational Therapy Roles

April is showering you with exclusive roles for Occupational Therapy Month! Earn competitive compensation, get real-time access to leadership, and receive performance recognition for your achievements. Working with a company with a national footprint means creating a perfect career for you. Browse the most recent occupational therapy jobs now!

Speech Therapy Roles

Warm up your career with a rewarding career in speech therapy that grants you access to an abundance of online clinical resources, engagement activities, training programs, and more. We partner with over 900 skilled nursing facilities to give speech-language pathologists and other clinicians meaningful careers and the support they need to focus on what they do best: patient care. Apply for the newest SLP opportunities below.

Work at Reliant

We do our best for you so that you can do your best for patients. Reliant Rehab is committed to providing employees with the compensation, development, and support they need so they can focus on their commitment to caring for patients.

Keep your eye on the horizon to find the next Career Compass Blog, which is released monthly and features in-demand jobs. If you are interested in a corporate career or student role at Reliant, don’t see your specialty above, or can’t wait for the next blog, check out the full list of open positions at Reliant or contact us directly for more info!

Clinicians Who Inspire – Rochelle Healy – March 2024

This month’s Clinician Who Inspires is Rochelle Healy, SLP and Champion Level II Therapist at St. Sophia Health and Rehabilitation Center.

Rochelle reminisced on how she wanted to become an SLP for as long as she could remember.  With her love of all things language, her fascination with the brain and its many functions, and her love of helping others it seemed that speech language pathology was the perfect fit. 

To this day, her passion for speech and language persists. As a way of paying it forward and building the future of SLP, Rochelle mentors students and facilitates their growth. She enjoys giving students as many opportunities as possible to build their knowledge base and provide them with practical application scenarios to build on their classroom studies. She stated, “I actually learn just as much from them as they do me, their fresh take on things is invaluable.”

When she’s not educating students and learning from her peers, she is implementing “Fun Fridays” with her patients.  On each Friday they have fun groups which entail patient-led ideas to address focused goals.  From modified “catch phrase” to learning new card games, Rochell ensures a FUN time is had by all. Rochelle shared that her primary motivation as a therapist is getting to watch her patients succeed.  She said that the biggest factor in success with her patients is allowing them autonomy to lead their sessions, letting them use their voice to decide how the treatment session will flow.

Thank you, Rochelle, for sharing your passion and inspiring other clinicians to continue the important work we do every day!

Clinicians Who Inspire – Blake Allen, PTA – February 2024

When Blake Allen, PTA from St. Simeon’s in OK, experienced a neurological event that resulted in loss of function on her right side, her entire world changed in a moment. Through this life-changing experience and her journey through rehabilitation, she attained an unanticipated capacity to serve others through example and inspiration.

In conversation, Blake shared how her empathy equips her to relate to her patients’ fear, frustration, or weariness when a medical event like a fall or onset of a new condition alter how they function in daily life. She uses her personal experience as a relatable example of the power of therapy, and how dedication to treatment sessions “really works”, even if it is a slow race to the new normal.

Through Blake’s story, clinicians are inspired to embrace the power of empathy with each patient we encounter. Though we may not have the same experience as Blake or our patients, we are equipped with the ability to imagine what our patients may be thinking or feeling. We have the opportunity for conversations to seek understanding and guidance in developing patient-centered goals and encouragement. Each interaction impacts those in our care. As Blake puts it, “we are the friendly face that the patient gets to see every day.”

Thank you, Blake, for sharing your incredible resiliency, recovery, and the important reminder that our care matters. You serve as an inspiration to us all!

Clinicians Who Inspire – Catherine Shafer – January 2024

This month’s Clinician Who Inspires is Catherine Shafer, Champion Level I Therapist, COTA and Therapy Coordinator at Thunder Care and Rehab.

Catherine shares her primary motivation as a therapist is the joy her patients bring her. She recalled a recent day where she walked into her patient’s room to find him excitedly awaiting her arrival for their therapy session, stating that he was ready to get better. Beyond the enthusiasm and progress of her patients, Catherine also recalled the many stories, learning experiences, and wisdom that her patients have bestowed upon her during her time as a therapist. Catherine smiled as she stated, “sometimes I wonder whose therapy session it really was.”

When she’s not learning from the nuggets of wisdom she receives from her patients, she’s engaging with her peers, searching Reliant University, and logging into the Lunch and Learn trainings to grow clinically and foster her purpose. She encourages all therapists to do the same to refresh knowledge and remind us why we do what we do every day.

Catherine looks forward to the spring season with opportunities for fun gardening activities with her patients, continued relationship building with her interdisciplinary team, and more invaluable nuggets of elderly wisdom. Catherine, thank you for sharing your passion in what you do. Your dedication to Care Matters inspires us all!

Clinicians Who Inspire – Alex Johnson – December 2023

In this month’s Clinicians Who Inspire series, we interviewed Alex Johnson, PTA, Director of Rehabilitation, and Champion Level I Therapist at Jolley Acres Healthcare. Alex believes in keeping the interdisciplinary team and patients excited in order to achieve the best outcomes. He and the team at Jolley Acres often use PC gaming platforms to help keep patients engaged while working on difficult tasks. With the gaming platform, Alex explained that it provides challenging and dynamic activities such as weight shifting, single limb support, bending, and rotating. A favorite, Elf on the Slope, allows patients to work on dynamic sitting or standing balance while navigating “Buddy the Elf” through ski slopes on an action-packed adventure. Alex emphasized the importance of the intensity of each treatment session, explaining that it’s the therapist’s role to ensure the patient is getting “the most value” from each treatment session. 

Alex spoke of using the abundance of resources provided by Reliant. He encouraged other therapists to use programs such as Reliant’s Clinical Advancement Ladder to grow their expertise as a therapist in the field. Alex also promoted the use of group therapy sessions ranging from full body workouts to address global strengthening needs to carnival games in which the patients encourage each other to complete activities such as ball toss and bowling. Thank you, Alex, for being a Clinician Who Inspires!

Clinicians Who Inspire – Jennifer Saldaña – November 2023

This month’s Clinician Who Inspires is Jennifer Saldaña, Therapy Coordinator, and rising Champion Level I SLP. Jennifer believes providing personalized care and being a constant learner helps her to thrive as a clinician.

When providing treatment, Jennifer focuses on what motivates the patient. She gave an example of a patient who was an avid gardener. Jennifer made sure to keep a plant in her office so the patient could speak to the plants as they targeted speech and language goals together.

She has also provided training and encouraged housekeeping staff to browse through residents’ memory books with them and to engage in conversations with the patient while they are tidying their rooms. Along with improving socialization opportunities and carryover, she finds that staff enjoy these interactions and appreciate learning effective, individualized methods to communicate with residents.

For residents who enjoy group therapy, Jennifer works with other disciplines to collaborate and provide multifaceted activities. Recently, she worked with OT. They utilized balance balls for an exciting cardio-drumming exercise where she implemented verbal recall tasks and music-based conversation starters. Her favorite holiday season group activity is sending out cards to loved ones. Residents have even opted to send cards to staff members who have retired and are no longer working at the facility. This exchange has proven heart-warming to both the senders and recipients.

Jennifer values learning and recommends Aging Process: What is Happening to the Body and What Does it Mean?located in Reliant University. She appreciated the comprehensive examination of the normal aging process and has applied this knowledge to improve patient health literacy with healthy aging education. She also encourages clinicians to discuss different perspectives and to always continue to learn from each other.

Thank you, Jennifer, for sharing your personal contributions and innovative ideas and also for your dedication to providing patient-specific, meaningful care.

Clinicians Who Inspire – Nicole Burrough – October 2023

This month’s Clinician Who Inspires is Nicole Burrough, Champion Level II Therapist, DOR and COTA at Yazoo City Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center. In conversation, Nicole shared her biggest takeaway in her time as a therapist and DOR is that teamwork is the key to success. She discussed her belief that effective communication, a “willingness to help attitude”, and being receptive to others’ input contributes to positive relationships with the other professionals on her team. This, ultimately, fosters a great team that is able to produce great outcomes.

With this communication and receptivity, Nicole’s team frequently implements group therapy sessions that incorporate training of multiple skills at one time. They are currently planning a pumpkin painting group that will address balance, gross and fine motor coordination, and sequencing all at once! Nicole shared that these groups are important in providing encouragement and motivation to the residents at their facility.

Finally, Nicole discussed the importance of educating other healthcare professionals on the benefit of therapists in SNFs. This education not only demonstrates the value of each therapy discipline, but also provides increased opportunities to ensure each resident meets their maximal level of functional independence.

Nicole, thank you for sharing your team player attitude! Your dedication to Care Matters inspires us all!