Dawn DeSteph
Summary
Skilled Care Provider assisting elderly, convalescents, or persons with disabilities with daily living activities in-home or within care facility. Keep house by making beds, doing laundry, washing dishes and preparing meals. Advise families and healthcare team regarding health concerns, nutrition, cleanliness and household activities. Experienced non-medical Care Provider offering [Number] years of expertise providing in-home care. Complete domestic duties, help patients with self-care and hygiene and provide companionship. Experienced working with children and elderly, with skill anticipating and proactively addressing client needs. Friendly and engaging with strong attention to detail. Experienced PCA knowledgeable about safe patient ambulation, personal grooming assistance and housekeeping. Remains current on relevant medical conditions and working with qualified healthcare staff to maximize care. Devoted to patient physical comfort and emotional support.
Overview
39
39
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Personal Care Assistant
West Springfield Veteran Affairs
07.2023 - Current
- Provided respite care for families, allowing them the opportunity to recharge while ensuring their loved one received consistent quality care.
- Assisted with transferring and positioning clients, ensuring proper body mechanics to reduce the risk of injury for both parties.
- Entrusted to handle confidential and sensitive situations in professional matter.
- Monitored and assisted residents through individual service plans.
- Supported clients with mental support and physical activities to accomplish quality of life and sustain needs.
- Assisted patients with self-administered medications.
- Scheduled and accompanied clients to medical appointments.
- Monitored client vital signs, administered medications, and tracked behaviors to keep healthcare supervisor well-informed.
- Enhanced client well-being by assisting with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and grooming.
- Assisted with dressing guidance, grooming, meal preparation, and medication reminders.
- Maintained detailed documentation of client progress, sharing updates with family members and healthcare providers as necessary.
- Planned, prepared, and served meals and snacks according to prescribed diets.
- Recognized and reported abnormalities or changes in patients' health status to case manager.
- Improved client comfort by providing exceptional personal care and maintaining a clean, safe environment.
- Promoted independence with structured routines and clear communication to support clients in their daily lives.
- Documented residents' mental status, sleep, and eating patterns in medical record books.
- Supported clients'' mental health by actively listening to concerns and offering compassionate companionship during challenging times.
- Liaised with key accounts to deliver targeted administrative household support.
- Monitored clients' overall health and well-being and noted significant changes.
- Monitored vital signs regularly, promptly reporting any abnormal findings to medical professionals for further evaluation.
- Implemented physical therapy to support patient improvement in muscle tone, range of motion and injury recovery.
- Remained alert to problems or health issues of clients and competently responded.
- Planned activities to encourage movement, stretching, and strength building.
- Replaced bandages, dressings, and binders to care for wounds and encourage healing.
- Assisted patients with bathing, grooming, dressing, and oral hygiene care both in private residences and facilities.
- Helped clients maintain optimal health by overseeing medication administration and doctor's appointments.
- Ensured timely medication administration, managing accurate records of dosages and schedules for multiple clients.
- Provided compassionate and patient-focused care to cultivate well-being.
- Assisted with feeding and monitored intake to help patients achieve nutritional objectives.
- Prevented injuries through diligent observation of the environment and prompt intervention when needed during mobility assistance tasks.
- Cooked meals and assisted patients with eating tasks to support healthy nutrition.
- Entertained, conversed, and read aloud to keep patients mentally alert.
- Assisted clients with daily living needs to maintain self-esteem and general wellness.
- Empowered clients by providing education on self-care strategies and encouraging them to take an active role in their own health management.
- Turned and positioned bedbound patients to prevent bedsores and maintain comfort levels.
- Laundered items, changed sheets and made bed to keep patients' bedroom clean.
- Built and maintained rapport with clients and family members to facilitate trusting caregiver relationship.
- Developed creative strategies for overcoming obstacles related to mobility or cognitive limitations while promoting maximum functionality in daily tasks.
- Maintained strong connections within caregiver community to gain continuous knowledge.
- Supported daily hygiene needs of patients by assisting with bathing, dressing, dental care and personal grooming.
- Maintained clean personal areas and prepared healthy meals to support client nutritional needs.
- Cleaned house, ran errands, managed laundry, and completed weekly grocery shopping.
- Collaborated with healthcare professionals to develop individualized care plans addressing each client''s specific needs.
- Built strong relationships with clients to deliver emotional support and companionship.
- Managed household chores efficiently, enabling clients to enjoy a clean living space without added stress or physical strain.
- Guided patients to restroom to support bladder and bowel relief requirements.
- Contributed to a positive home atmosphere by engaging clients in conversation and recreational activities tailored to their interests.
- Provided safe mobility support to help patients move around personal and public spaces.
- Organized and detail-oriented with a strong work ethic.
- Delivered services to customer locations within specific timeframes.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
Farmer
DeSteph's Farm
01.1991 - Current
- Optimized livestock health through effective feeding programs, vaccination schedules, and regular check-ups from veterinarians.
- Collected and reported on metrics related to stock growth, production actions and environmental assessments to facilitate effective decision making.
- Maximized operational profits by closely inspecting crops, assessing quality, and identifying problems such as disease or insects.
- Enforced proper storage of crops, fertilizers and materials used in agricultural production.
- Developed and implemented efficient irrigation systems to maximize production.
- Ensured timely planting and harvesting schedules for maximum productivity and minimal waste.
- Fed and watered Black Angus Cattle, chickens, ducks according to strict feeding schedules and dietary needs.
- Performed repairs and preventive maintenance on equipment and property.
- Created farm strategies to maximize production and convert farm operations to commercial standards.
- Worked closely with employees to improve practices, techniques and safety choices, optimizing performance, and minimizing waste.
- Budgeted equipment purchases and regular repairs.
- Inspected and repaired equipment for livestock and crop management.
- Maintained accurate records of all farming activities, including expenses, income, yields, and labor hours for tax reporting purposes as well as identifying areas for improvement.
- Developed strong relationships with suppliers to secure favorable pricing on seeds, feed, and equipment.
- Conducted soil testing to determine nutrient levels and soil composition.
- Assisted in development of sustainable agricultural practices and policies to reduce waste.
- Researched pests and diseases common to individual types of stock and developed mitigation plans.
- Enhanced soil quality through regular testing, targeted fertilization, and proper crop rotation practices.
- Visited fields regularly to inspect and estimate maturity dates of crops and damage due to weather.
- Oversaw cultivation and harvesting of over 1000's of pounds in pepper, summer squash and winter crops each year.
- Selected and purchased supplies and equipment such as seed, farm machinery, and livestock.
- Utilized chemical and non-chemical methods to protect crops from weeds and pests.
- Maximized profit margins by negotiating contracts with suppliers for better prices on bulk orders.
- Coordinated inventories of seeds, chemicals, plant nutrients and tools to achieve business targets.
- Maintained ranch records and documentation.
- Negotiated and secured contracts with vendors, suppliers and agricultural partners to support cost-effective operations.
- Expanded sales channels by establishing partnerships with regional grocery stores and farmers' markets.
- Identified, isolated and treated diverse pests and diseases in crops and livestock.
- Monitored weather conditions and adjusted irrigation and crop schedules accordingly.
- Maintained and repaired various farming equipment.
- Maintained detailed records of crop production, soil composition and livestock health.
- Handled complex and urgent customer concerns calmly to maximize satisfaction and enhance loyalty.
- Organized and detail-oriented with a strong work ethic.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
- Delivered services to customer locations within specific timeframes.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
Waitress Supervisor
Take Five Restaurant
10.1984 - 10.2008
- Bussed and reset tables to keep dining room and work areas clean.
- Streamlined the ordering process for customers by implementing a new menu layout and training staff on upselling techniques.
- Trained staff members on use of POS system.
- Served consistent portions following recipes and control standards.
- Upheld high standards of professionalism when dealing with customer issues, supporting serving staff, and waiting on tables.
- Managed table turnover rate effectively allowing for more guests served per shift.
- Handled customer complaints professionally, resolving issues through diplomatic acknowledgment and commitment to service.
- Stored food in designated containers and storage areas to increase shelf life, improve kitchen organization, and provide easy access during busy peak service times.
- Scheduled and rotated staff for adequate coverage and fair distribution of workload.
- Boosted customer retention rates with exceptional service quality, personalized interactions, and prompt resolution of complaints or concerns.
- Supervised food presentation and plating to enhance visual appeal.
- Greeted new customers, discussed specials, and took drink orders.
- Supervised server staff and simultaneously served personal section of tables.
- Ensured timely delivery of food orders by closely monitoring kitchen processes and collaborating with chefs to resolve any issues efficiently.
- Assigned work tasks and coordinated activities of dining room personnel to provide prompt and successful service to patrons.
- Supervised set up of banquet food stations and coordinated service to multiple dining areas.
- Supervised dining table set-up to prepare for diversity of event types, following strict service standards.
- Maintained customer satisfaction with timely table check-ins to assess food and beverage needs.
- Fostered a positive working environment by addressing employee conflicts promptly and fairly, promoting open communication between team members.
- Addressed customer complaints with professional demeanor and used communication and problem-solving skills to resolve issues.
- Displayed enthusiasm and promoted excellent service to customers, successfully increasing referrals, and walk-in business.
- Assisted in hiring and training new waitstaff, ensuring excellent service levels were maintained at all times.
- Directed food preparation and cooking activities to meet health and safety standards.
- Trained new hires in food handling and safety protocols to boost knowledge and performance.
- Increased overall dining experience by maintaining high standards of cleanliness and organization throughout the restaurant.
- Maintained compliance with health regulations through consistent adherence to safety protocols within the workplace.
- Used communication and problem-solving skills to resolve customer complaints and promote long-term loyalty.
- Supervised restocking of salad bar and buffet for lunch and dinner service.
- Contributed to revenue growth through effective management of guest reservations, seating arrangements, and special event bookings.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by efficiently managing waitstaff schedules and ensuring optimal coverage during peak hours.
- Managed food resources, memorized orders, and coordinated customer service.
- Monitored dining rooms for seating availability as well as service, safety, and well-being of guests.
- Worked flexible hours across night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
- Assisted with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members.
- Adaptable and proficient in learning new concepts quickly and efficiently.
- Delivered services to customer locations within specific timeframes.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
- Applied effective time management techniques to meet tight deadlines.
- Demonstrated a high level of initiative and creativity while tackling difficult tasks.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Learned and adapted quickly to new technology and software applications.
- Strengthened communication skills through regular interactions with others.
Store Associate
Big Y Supermarket
03.2005 - 02.2008
- Helped maintain optimal stock levels through consistent communication with management about inventory needs and discrepancies leading to fewer out-of-stock situations.
- Processed returns and exchanges efficiently, adhering to company policies and procedures.
- Provided exceptional customer service by actively engaging with shoppers and offering assistance as needed.
- Facilitated smooth checkout experiences for customers by quickly scanning items, bagging purchases, and processing payments appropriately.
- Handled cash register operations accurately, balancing drawers at the end of each shift.
- Managed efficient cash register operations.
- Supported store management in maintaining visual merchandising standards through regular upkeep of displays and signage.
- Maintained tidy and organized store to comply with cleanliness standards.
- Prioritized helping customers over completing other routine tasks in store.
- Stocked merchandise, clearly labeling items, and arranging according to size or color.
- Located merchandise across various stores to address customer needs.
- Answered customer questions about products and services, helped locate merchandise, and promoted key items.
- Increased customer satisfaction by providing efficient and friendly service while handling transactions.
- Efficiently managed large volume orders and assisted customers with specific requests ensuring timely delivery and increased satisfaction levels.
- Built customer loyalty and retention by delivering excellent shopping experiences.
- Balanced and organized cash register by handling cash, counting change, and storing coupons.
- Contributed to loss prevention efforts by monitoring store activity closely during shifts.
- Monitored customers for signs of security concerns and escalated issues to management.
- Developed strong rapport with customers and created positive impression of business.
- Briefed customers regarding shop promotions and discounts by providing coupons and flyers to increase sales.
- Participated in ongoing training sessions to stay updated on product information and company policies effectively applying newfound knowledge on the job.
- Worked to meet or exceed special targets for credit card applications, special donations and specific product promotions.
- Engaged in friendly conversation with customer to better uncover individual needs.
- Listened to customer needs and desires to identify and recommend optimal products.
- Checked pricing, scanned items, applied discounts, and printed receipts to ring up customers.
- Created inviting environment for customers by maintaining store organization and cleanliness.
- Aided marketing initiatives such as creating eye-catching displays and distributing promotional materials to boost brand awareness and sales.
- Monitored sales floor and merchandise displays for presentable condition, taking corrective action such as restocking or reorganizing products.
- Delivered energetic responses to customers in-store and by telephone, going above and beyond to serve needs.
- Coordinated restocking of sales floor with current merchandise and accurate signage for current promotions.
- Worked closely with fellow associates to create a positive work environment, fostering teamwork and mutual support.
- Worked with loss prevention in monitoring shopper behavior.
- Provided product demonstrations to highlight features, benefits and value.
- Greeted customers, helped locate merchandise, and suggested suitable options.
- Increased sales and customer satisfaction through personalized servicing.
- Evaluated prices and conducted audits to detect and correct price discrepancies.
- Maintained a clean and safe shopping environment for customers through regular cleaning and monitoring of store conditions.
- Utilized strong multitasking abilities to manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously during busy periods.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of store sales, payment policies and security standards.
- Resolved customer inquiries and issues promptly, demonstrating excellent communication skills.
- Opened, shelved and merchandised new products in visually appealing and organized displays for optimal sales promotions.
- Provided exceptional services and pleasant shopping experiences to retail customers.
- Conducted product demonstrations to highlight features and redirect objections to positive aspects.
- Answered questions about store policies and addressed customer concerns.
- Demonstrated a high level of initiative and creativity while tackling difficult tasks.
- Gained strong leadership skills by managing projects from start to finish.
- Worked flexible hours across night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
- Acted as a team leader in group projects, delegating tasks and providing feedback.
- Developed strong organizational and communication skills through coursework and volunteer activities.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Strengthened communication skills through regular interactions with others.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
Education
High School Diploma -
Cathedral High
Springfield, Ma06.1987
Skills
- Supportive Companionship
- Patient Companionship
- Housekeeping tasks
- Emotional Support
- Meal Planning and Preparation
- Caring Companionship
- Client Relationship Management
- Diet and Nutrition
- Personal Care Homemaker
- Dependable and Responsible
- Patient Management
- Light Cleaning
- Ability to Lift
- Personal Care Worker (PCW)
- Household tasks
- Elderly Care
- Light Housekeeping
- Medication and Appointment Reminders
- Patient Care
- Communication Assistance
- Personal Care Aide
- Cooking meals
- Medical chart documentation
- Personal Care Aide (PCA)
- Personal Oxygen Delivery
- Dressing assistance
- Indirect Patient Care
- End of life care
- Bedside Care
- Physical therapy support
- Team Collaboration
- Chronic Disease Management
- Injury Prevention
- Personal Hygiene Assistance
- HIPAA Compliance
- Incapacitation care
- Medication Administration
- Grooming assistance
- Flexible schedule and availability
- Safety Compliance
- Clear Communication
- Special Needs Care
- Compassionate Caregiving
- Childcare experience
- Financial statements expertise
- Journal entry preparation
- Accounts Payable and Receivable
- Report Preparation
- General Ledger
- Cash Flow analysis
- Documentation and Reports
- Accounting and bookkeeping
- Accounts Payable
- Regulatory filings
- Balance sheets
- Tax Return Preparation
- Pet Feeding
- Clean Background Check
- Exercise Encouragement
- Injury and Illness Treatment
- Behavior Management
- Behavior monitoring
- Valid Driver's License
- Tick Removal
- Smartphone Usage
- Regular Availability
- Cleanliness Maintenance
- Client privacy management
- Physical Condition Monitoring
- Feeding and Watering
- Honest and Dependable
- Food Intake Monitoring
- Animal Empathy
- Small Animal Care
- Playtime engagement
- Relationship Building
- Reptile knowledge
- Honest and Trustworthy
- Meal Preparation
- Punctual and Reliable
- Habitat Education
- Positive Attitude
- Flexible Schedule
- Supply Maintenance
- Materials Ordering
- Animal Observations
- Pet Sitting
- Medication Management
- Animal Care
- Bird handling
- Customer Communication
- Pet care needs
- Attention to Detail
- Treatment Administration
- Breeding Habits Explanation
- Feeding routines
- Adaptability and Dependability
- Client Communication
- Food Supplement Preparation
- Equipment Disinfection
- Housekeeping Duties
- Species-specific temperament knowledge
- Schedule Management
- Doggy Daycare
- Weight Charting
- Pet Care
- House Sitting
- Senior pet care
- Calm Under Pressure
- Recordkeeping
- Ceiling fan cleaning
- Gardening tasks
- Furniture Moving
- Restroom Servicing
- Pet mess cleanup
- Dusting Techniques
- Floor cleaning
- Tile and grout care
- Floor Cleaning, Polishing, and Waxing
- Vacuuming
- Stain Removal
- Sorting and washing laundry
- Window Blind Dusting
- Trash Collection and Disposal
- Laundry proficiency
- Cleaning bathrooms
- Kitchen Cleaning
- Rug and Carpet Cleaning
- Sweeping and Mopping
- Physically strong
- Floor sweeping
- Floor scrubber machines
- Clothes laundering
- Waste disposal
- Folding clean laundry
- Chemical Handling
- Mold prevention
- Heavy Lifting
- Kitchen Cleaning and Dishwashing
- Floor Vacuuming
- Vacuuming and sweeping
- Cleaning and sanitization
- Wall scrubbing
Certification
- PCA - Personal Care Aide
Timeline
Personal Care Assistant
West Springfield Veteran Affairs
07.2023 - Current
Store Associate
Big Y Supermarket
03.2005 - 02.2008
Farmer
DeSteph's Farm
01.1991 - Current
Waitress Supervisor
Take Five Restaurant
10.1984 - 10.2008
High School Diploma -
Cathedral High