Chiquita Tillar
Richmond,VA
Summary
I am a highly-motivated mental health professional with the desire to take on new challenges. Strong work ethic, adaptability and exceptional interpersonal skills. Adept at working effectively unsupervised and quickly mastering new skills. Possess specialized skills in conflict resolution, behavioral management, and security protocols. Excel at communication, empathy, and critical thinking, ensuring effectiveness in managing challenging situations and fostering rehabilitation environments. Enthusiastic professional with understanding of complex conditions to help clients improve mental and emotional health. Compassionate, comforting approach to problem resolution. Lends experience over several years to treat and resolve issues and intervention needs. Excel at active listening, empathy, and communication skills, ensuring effective client support and progress. Mental health professional with experience in various therapeutic techniques including solution-focused brief therapy, and group counseling. I have worked closely with clients to promote mental health improvement and foster personal growth. Dutifully manages tasks related to customer privacy and treatment.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Juvenile Correctional Specialist
Department of Juvenile Justice
Bon Air, Virginia
11.2020 - Current
- Supervised the activities of inmates within a correctional facility. Enforced institutional policies and procedures to maintain order and security within the correctional facility.
- Adhered to all applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures governing the operation of a correctional facility.
- Implemented programs designed to reduce recidivism among released offenders.
- Work as part of a multi-disciplinary treatment team dedicated to helping young people reach their goals in a secure environment and preparing them for successful reentry into the community.
- Responded promptly to emergency situations involving inmates or staff members.
- Trained new correctional officers on facility procedures, safety protocols, and the ethical treatment of inmates.
- Informed inmates and visitors of rules, safety and security procedures and responsibilities.
- Monitored daily activities to identify and manage suspicious behavior, improper conduct and signs of conflict.
- Employed de-escalation techniques, verbal commands and physical and mechanical restraints to address unruly inmates.
- Provided first response medical care in emergency situations until professional medical staff could take over.
- Enforced resident behavior management protocols and drafted incident reports for infractions.
- Conducted searches of inmates and visitors to prevent the smuggling of contraband.
- Supervised inmate activities, including meals, recreation times, and work assignments.
- Participated in training sessions to stay current on best practices in corrections and emergency response.
- Maintained clear and open communications with facility areas to support safe operations.
- Coordinated activities with inmates to stimulate learning and skill development for life after incarceration.
- Escorted inmates within the facility, including to and from cells, medical appointments, and recreational activities.
- Detected potential threats and quickly defused conflicts.
- Conducted headcounts to ensure that all inmates were accounted for.
- Transported inmates to and from medical and dental appointments, funerals, and court hearings.
- Maintained detailed logs of inmate behavior, incidents, and daily activities.
- Supervised residents during meal distribution and intake, recreation time and work-site performance.
- Directed visitor sign-in, documenting processes and completing appropriate visitation logs.
- Served as a role model for inmates by demonstrating positive behavior and promoting educational and vocational training programs.
- Operated security control systems to monitor entrances, exits, and movement within the facility by use of an intercom system, along with CCTV and radio communication.
- Facilitated communication between inmates and facility staff, including relaying requests and grievances.
- Managed conflict and negotiated resolutions between inmates to prevent violence and ensure the safety of all individuals in the facility.
- Intervene in behavioral crisis situations to ensure safety using approved intervention/de-escalation strategies and techniques, including but not limited to verbal de-escalation, physical restraint, and mechanical restraints.
- Implemented defensive tactics and physical restraints to maintain safety and security of facility.
- Performed head counts, checking cells for missing inmates.
- Guarded facility entrances to screen visitors.
- Reported on quality of inmate work and violations committed by prisoners.
- Provided supervisors oral and written reports of work performed by inmates, inmate disturbances and rule violations.
- Monitored conduct of prisoners in housing unit or during work or recreational activities to prevent escape or violence.
- Counseled inmates and responded to legitimate questions, concerns and requests.
Mental Health/Patient Care Technician
Henrico Doctors Hospital
Richmond, VA
02.2018 - 10.2020
- Assisted in the development of individualized treatment plans for patients.
- Supported clients in developing daily living skills such as budgeting money or time management.
- Collaborated with other healthcare professionals such as social workers, psychiatrists, counselors and nurses to coordinate quality care for each client.
- Provided crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques to help manage patient behavior.
- Provided education about mental illness symptoms and causes to family members of patients.
- Monitored vital signs, including pulse, respiration and temperature, of psychiatric patients.
- Maintained accurate records of patient progress and treatment plans.
- Ensured safety of all clients through continuous observation and monitoring during shift hours.
- Established trusting relationships with clients by demonstrating empathy and understanding towards them.
- Participated in weekly multidisciplinary team meetings to discuss patient progress and plan further interventions.
- Encouraged positive behaviors through rewards systems when appropriate.
- Created activities that promoted physical wellness, emotional stability, cognitive functioning, independent living skills and social interaction among patients.
- Implemented therapeutic techniques such as art therapy, recreational therapy or music therapy.
- Actively participated in continuing education programs related to mental health care delivery.
- Supervised visitors entering the facility according to established security protocols.
- Facilitated group therapy sessions under supervision of a mental health professional.
- Developed positive relationships with patients while maintaining professional boundaries.
- Maintained accurate records regarding treatments provided, medication administration and patient progress notes.
- Observed and documented changes in patient behavior and reported any significant changes to the clinical team.
- Provided excellent service to patients through personable communication.
- Documented observations, interventions and concerns in patient charts and electronic systems, sustaining continuum of care from admission through to discharge.
- Documented patient interactions in compliance with HIPAA requirements.
- Modeled appropriate communication and problem-solving skills in crisis situations involving patients, family or staff.
- Participated in professional development workshops to stay current with mental health practices.
- Tracked and replenished inventory of therapeutic supplies and materials.
- Ensured a safe and secure environment for patients, adhering to facility safety protocols.
- Conducted one-on-one sessions with patients to provide emotional support and crisis intervention.
- Implemented stress-reduction techniques to promote patient relaxation and well-being.
- Facilitated group therapy sessions, providing a supportive environment for patient interaction.
- Engaged patients in therapeutic activities designed to enhance mental wellness and social skills.
- Assisted patients in setting and achieving personal and therapeutic goals.
- Assisted in developing and implementing treatment plans for patients with various mental health disorders.
- Supported patients in developing life skills and independence through targeted interventions.
- Maintained detailed records of patient progress and treatment outcomes.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to coordinate patient care and treatment strategies.
- Monitored patient behaviors and reported significant changes to supervising mental health professionals.
- Utilized de-escalation techniques to manage and prevent patient crises effectively.
- Advocated for patient rights and provided guidance on navigating mental health systems.
- Cultivated relationships with patients, discussing ways to help improve overall health while alleviating self-harm practices.
- Monitored patients' well-being and reported changes or unusual behavior or physical illness to medical staff.
- Influenced patients' behavior with interaction, counseling or instruction.
- Restrained violent or suicidal patients using approved verbal or physical techniques.
- Encouraged patients to develop interpersonal skills and engage in social interactions or other therapeutic activities.
- Assisted patients improve social relationships and engagement.
- Collaborated with doctors, psychologists or therapists in working with patient treatments.
- Instructed new employees on protocols to use when interacting with psychiatric patients.
- Aided patients in performing activities of daily living.
- Recorded patients' health metrics using thermometers or blood pressure gauges.
Administrative Assistant
Chamberlayne Assisted Living
Richmond, VA
01.2004 - 12.2017
- Pleasantly welcomed visitors in a professional manner, managed incoming phone calls, and responded to inquiries in a timely fashion.
- Data entry, Microsoft Excel, or other similar programs.
- Maintained office supplies inventory by checking stock to determine inventory level; anticipating needed supplies; placing and expediting orders for supplies.
- Developed and maintained filing systems. Handle confidential documents in an organized fashion, according to established protocol.
- Coordinated mailings including sorting mail, preparing packages for shipping via courier service or postal service.
- Schedule and coordinate staff meetings, overseeing compliance with state laws and regulations.
- Conducting in-person assessment of residents' cognitive, behavioral, social, and emotional needs.
- Implement therapy plans, sessions, and activities to meet identified goals and objectives.
- Composed letters, memos, reports, emails, presentations, and other written correspondence as required by the administrator.
- Provided administrative support.
- Handled incoming and outgoing correspondence, including email, mail, and package deliveries, ensuring timely distribution.
- Ensured efficient operation of office equipment such as printers, copiers and fax machines.
- Managed daily office operations and maintained office supplies inventory, ensuring efficient workplace functionality.
- Proofread content for typo-free emails and documentation. Composed, edited and typed complex memos and reports with job-related software.
- Organized files, faxed reports, and scanned documents.
- Kept office equipment functional and supplies well-stocked to promote efficient operations.
Behavior Specialist
Memorial Regional Health Hospital
Mechanicsville, VA
08.2009 - 10.2017
- Participated in multidisciplinary team meetings to discuss patients' progress, develop recommendations, and collaborate on educational decisions.
- Provided crisis intervention services when needed.
- Created positive learning environments by utilizing evidence-based practices such as Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports.
- Monitored patients' behavior using data collection systems and provided feedback to members of the disciplinary team on the effectiveness of interventions implemented.
- Provided individual and group behavior intervention services to patients.
- Maintained open communication with all stakeholders involved in a patient's care plan in order to promote consistency across all settings.
- Maintained accurate records of assessments, observations, interventions, and other activities related to each patient's behavioral plan.
- Provided crisis management support for patients exhibiting challenging behaviors.
- Implemented de-escalation protocols, when necessary, to help keep patients safe while managing their challenging behaviors.
- Maintained detailed case notes and documentation in compliance with ethical standards.
- Monitored and recorded patients' progress towards behavioral goals.
- Provided crisis intervention services as needed to manage acute behavioral episodes.
- Worked directly with patients and discussed behavioral goals and implementation of behavior intervention programs.
- Facilitated social skills groups to enhance interpersonal interactions.
- Offered hands-on learning opportunities to develop patients' self-esteem and life skills.
- Demonstrated appropriate behaviors using behavior modeling and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Built relationships with patients through active communication and positive feedback.
Education
Human Services
J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Richmond, VA05-2025
High School Diploma -
Highland Springs High School
Highland Springs, VA06-1992
Skills
- Excellent problem solver
- Effective verbal and written communication
- Emergency Response
- CCTV Monitoring
- Cultural Sensitivity
- Observation
- Ethical standards of conduct
- Safety
- Paperwork and reporting
- Rapport Building
- Group/Individual Counseling
Certification
- Public notary
- CPR
- First aid
- Behavioral health technician
- Health records coding
Timeline
Juvenile Correctional Specialist
Department of Juvenile Justice
11.2020 - Current
Mental Health/Patient Care Technician
Henrico Doctors Hospital
02.2018 - 10.2020
Behavior Specialist
Memorial Regional Health Hospital
08.2009 - 10.2017
Administrative Assistant
Chamberlayne Assisted Living
01.2004 - 12.2017
Human Services
J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
High School Diploma -
Highland Springs High School
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