Throughout my undergraduate and Master degrees, clinical experiences, and ongoing professional encounters, I’ve gained valuable opportunities to practice, develop, and expand my communication skills.

 

During my Master’s degree there has been a lot of team-based learning and when reflecting on my experiences working in groups, I’ve seen a positive shift on my ability to communicate roles and responsibilities within a team.

 

Furthermore, my clinical experiences and community placement have increased my confidence at adapting effective communication with clients individually, within an interprofessional team, and also at a community level. For example, I had to make conscious adaptations to my language when working with clients in a pediatric setting, applying more simple terminology and relying more on demonstration and body language, rather than verbal expression. I’ve also developed the ability to consicely articulate the purpose of OT in a variety of practice settings, such as in a school-based setting, rehabilitation clinic, hospital, and to community organizations.

 

Additionally, I've gained the skills to write effective documentation with accuracy, speed, and fluency. Throughout clinical placements, I independently wrote documentation (both written and electronic), such as initial interview reports, assessment reports, clear and concise SOAP notes, and final discharge reports. 

 

Lastly, I had the unique opportunity to do a placement completely in French, which has expanded my communication skills two-fold. I am 100% confident practicing OT in English and French, using both my bilingual written and verbal communication skills.

 

Ultimately, I believe my ability to actively listen, demonstrate respect, express myself in a clear and concise manner, and use plain understandable language are all fundamental communication skills that have helped me excel both professionally and personally.