Candace Lester
Urbandale,IA
Summary
Certified Nurses Aide with 8 years of experience specializing in Geriatrics and Hospice care. I have 1 year of experience in Social Services specializing in Geriatrics. I also have 1 year experience in Business Office Management specializing in Hospice. My strengths are time-management, communication, problem-solving and organization.
Overview
2027
2027
years of professional experience
Work History
Supportive Community Living Assistant
Veridian Fiscal Solutions/CCO
Urbandale, IA
08.2025 - Current
- Supported clients in developing social skills and community engagement.
- Educated clients on life skills to promote independence and confidence.
- Communicated effectively with families regarding client well-being and support options.
- Developed positive relationships with clients by providing emotional support and encouragement.
- Encouraged clients to participate in meaningful day activities according to their interests and abilities.
Summer Adventuretime Associate and Team Leader
Adventuretime/UCSD
Urbandale, IA
06.2023 - Current
- Supervised daily activities to ensure a safe and nurturing environment.
- Facilitated communication between parents and staff regarding child development.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of classroom materials and supplies.
- Supervised children during playtime, ensuring safety and engagement.
- Implemented behavioral management techniques to support positive interactions.
- Assisted in leading and organizing activities for children such as arts, crafts, games and reading stories.
- Motivated children to participate in various tasks encouraging them to be independent thinkers while having fun at the same time.
- Kept accurate records of attendance, meals served, nap times and other important information related to childcare.
- Secured indoor and outdoor premises to protect children.
Special Education Associate
Urbandale Community School District
Urbandale, IA
09.2021 - Current
- Collaborated with staff to create a positive classroom environment.
- Provided one-on-one support to students with special needs.
- Monitored student progress and behavior during lessons and activities.
- Coordinated classroom resources and materials for effective learning experiences.
- Maintained detailed records of all student interactions including notes on assignments completed, behaviors observed.
- Modeled appropriate behavior management techniques when working with special needs children.
- Monitored student progress by collecting data on behavior, academics, attendance, and other metrics as needed.
- Advised instructor on student behavior or issues requiring immediate attention.
- Improved behavior with modification and positive reinforcement techniques.
CNA/Business Office Manager
Gateway Hospice
Clarion, IA
08.2018 - 05.2021
- Answered phones and transferred calls to appropriate parties.
- Maintained office cleanliness and organization to promote productivity and positive customer experience.
- Established relationships with outside vendors by immediately responding to and remedying issues.
- Tracked office supply inventory, reordered items and documented item counts.
- Assisted business leaders by resolving conflicts among employees.
- Coached and mentored newly hired employees to speed up onboarding process.
- Scheduled patient visits.
- Reviewed documentation for grammar and spelling errors, editing materials for accuracy.
- Maintained and verified employees credentials, files, insurance and licenses.
- Provided daily living activities to patients by serving meals, feeding, ambulating and turning over and positioning patients.
- Documented information in patient charts and communicated status updates to interdisciplinary care team.
- Prioritized and organized tasks to efficiently accomplish service goals.
- Juggled multiple projects and tasks to ensure high quality and timely delivery.
- Motivated and encouraged team members to communicate more openly and constructively with each other.
- Resolved interpersonal conflicts by listening, finding common ground and building relationships.
CNA/Social Services
Clarion Wellness and Rehabilitation Center
Clarion , IA
12.2014 - 05.2021
- Scheduled Care Conferences with residents and their family's to provide the best care for the resident.
- Facilitated appropriate solutions to grievances made by residents, their families and/or other staff members.
- Facilitated multiple staff meeting regarding residents and staff.
- Assisted residents with returning home upon completed PT/OT/ST.
- Assisted residents with Medicaid applications, insurance verification as well as shopping for their daily needs.
- Facilitated activities of daily living, including personal hygiene management, feeding and ambulation.
- Exhibited compassionate care and communication regarding issues surrounding death and dying.
- Managed and maintained patient rooms, shared-living areas and nursing stations.
- Responded to patient alarms and needs-assessment requests to identify course of treatment.
- Maintained accurate, timely flow of information by completing thorough patient records and updating healthcare team on patient status.
- Fostered relationships with patients, caregivers and healthcare teams to achieve individual care plan targets.
- Consulted with nurses to develop patient care plans and evaluate treatment options.
- Used mobility devices to transport patients.
- Delivered personal nursing assistance in pre- and post-operative situations.
- Recognized and reported abnormalities or changes in patients' health status to nursing staff for immediate assessment.
- Took patients vitals, including blood pressure, temperature and pulse and documented vital signs and weight of patients.
- Engaged with patient family and friends to provide courteous visit experience.
- Communicated concerns regarding clients' status, care and environment to nursing supervisors, clinical care supervisors and case managers.
- Documented patient intake and dietary requirements and aided with feeding and monitoring.
- Answered patient and family questions to educate on optimal treatment procedures.
- Comforted patients and provided each with reassurance and encouragement.
- Documented information in patient charts and communicated status updates to interdisciplinary care team.
- Organized games and other activities to engage clients and offer mental stimulation.
Supportive Community Living Assistant
Veridian
Education
High School Diploma -
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows High School
Clarion, IA05.2007
Associate of Applied Science - Human Services
Kaplan University
Mason City, IA11.2014
Skills
- File and data retrieval systems
- Training and coaching
- Scheduling and calendar management
- Human resources management
- Issue and conflict resolution
- Medical terminology knowledge
- Patient relations
- Calm and level-headed under duress
- General housekeeping ability
- Time management
- Communication
- Compassionate and understanding
Timeline
Supportive Community Living Assistant
Veridian Fiscal Solutions/CCO
08.2025 - Current
Summer Adventuretime Associate and Team Leader
Adventuretime/UCSD
06.2023 - Current
Special Education Associate
Urbandale Community School District
09.2021 - Current
CNA/Business Office Manager
Gateway Hospice
08.2018 - 05.2021
CNA/Social Services
Clarion Wellness and Rehabilitation Center
12.2014 - 05.2021
High School Diploma -
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows High School
Associate of Applied Science - Human Services
Kaplan University
Supportive Community Living Assistant
Veridian