Dawn Newman
Brainerd,MN
Summary
Results-oriented Direct Support Coordinator skilled in problem-solving and team collaboration. Experience in developing tailored support plans, monitoring client progress, and fostering communication among families and multidisciplinary teams to ensure holistic care.
Diligent Direct Coordinator withCoordinatorwith comprehensive background in direct support coordination. Successfully managed individualized care plans and facilitated client independence through tailored support strategies. Demonstrated strong communication and problem-solving skills in dynamic environments. Diligent [Desired Position] with comprehensive background in direct support coordination. Successfully managed individualized care plans and facilitated client independence through tailored support strategies. Demonstrated strong communication and problem-solving skills in dynamic environments.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Direct Support Coordinator
Blue Sky Support Services
Brainerd, MN
09.2023 - Current
- Coordinated individualized support plans to enhance client well-being and independence.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive care for clients with diverse needs.
- Monitored client progress, adapting strategies to optimize outcomes and maintain consistency in service delivery.
- Facilitated communication between families, clients, and support staff to promote understanding and collaboration.
- Conducted regular assessments to evaluate client needs, adjusting services as necessary for optimal support.
- Organized training sessions for staff on best practices in direct support and client engagement techniques.
- Developed resource materials to educate clients and families about available services and community resources.
- Implemented feedback mechanisms to gather insights from clients, enhancing service quality and responsiveness.
- Reduced incidents of challenging behaviors through the implementation of positive behavior support strategies and ongoing staff training.
- Supported clients in achieving personal goals by providing guidance, encouragement, and practical assistance as needed.
- Ensured regulatory compliance by staying up-to-date on industry standards and adjusting policies accordingly to maintain a high level of service quality.
- Evaluated program effectiveness by analyzing client outcomes and implementing continuous improvement initiatives based on data-driven insights.
- Implemented emergency procedures during crucial situations, effectively managing crises while prioritizing the safety of both staff members and clients alike.
- Facilitated community integration for individuals with disabilities, organizing outings and activities tailored to their interests and abilities.
- Enhanced client independence by implementing personalized support plans and coordinating necessary services.
- Assisted in the recruitment, hiring, and training of new direct support staff members, ensuring a seamless integration into the team dynamic.
- Contributed to program development by identifying unmet client needs and proposing innovative solutions within budget constraints.
- Conducted regular performance evaluations for direct support staff to promote professional growth opportunities within the organization.
- Organized staff schedules to ensure adequate coverage while minimizing overtime costs for efficient resource management.
- Led team meetings to discuss best practices in direct support techniques while fostering an environment conducive to collaboration among colleagues.
- Streamlined communication between interdisciplinary team members, ensuring consistent support for clients with complex needs.
- Maintained accurate client records, ensuring timely documentation of progress notes, incident reports, and other relevant information.
- Built strong relationships with family members and guardians to foster open communication regarding client progress and concerns.
- Developed and implemented individualized care plans to meet individual needs of each client.
Personal Care Assistant
Advantage PCA Services
Brainerd, MN
01.2014 - 05.2018
- Assisted clients with daily living activities, promoting independence and well-being.
- Developed personalized care plans tailored to individual client needs and preferences.
- Trained new staff on best practices for patient care and safety protocols.
- Coordinated communication between clients, families, and healthcare providers for optimal care management.
- Monitored client health status and reported changes to medical professionals promptly.
- Implemented strategies to enhance client engagement in therapeutic activities and social interactions.
- Ensured compliance with regulatory standards while maintaining high-quality care delivery.
- Mentored junior staff, fostering a collaborative environment focused on continuous improvement in care services.
- Assisted clients with daily living needs to maintain self-esteem and general wellness.
- Assisted with feeding and monitored intake to help patients achieve nutritional objectives.
- Assisted with transferring and positioning clients, ensuring proper body mechanics to reduce the risk of injury for both parties.
- Built strong relationships with clients to deliver emotional support and companionship.
- Improved client comfort by providing exceptional personal care and maintaining a clean, safe environment.
- Turned and positioned bedbound patients to prevent bedsores and maintain comfort levels.
- Engaged patients in meaningful conversation, socialization, and activity while providing personal care assistance.
- Assisted with dressing guidance, grooming, meal preparation, and medication reminders.
- Adapted quickly to new client situations, building rapport through active listening skills and an empathetic approach towards individual needs.
- Contributed to a positive home atmosphere by engaging clients in conversation and recreational activities tailored to their interests.
- Enhanced client well-being by assisting with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and grooming.
- Recognized and reported abnormalities or changes in patients' health status to case manager.
- Supported clients with mental support and physical activities to accomplish quality of life and sustain needs.
- Maintained current knowledge of best practices in personal care through ongoing professional development opportunities.
- Maintained detailed documentation of client progress, sharing updates with family members and healthcare providers as necessary.
- Supported clients'' mental health by actively listening to concerns and offering compassionate companionship during challenging times.
- Promoted independence with structured routines and clear communication to support clients in their daily lives.
- Maintained clean personal areas and prepared healthy meals to support client nutritional needs.
- Managed household chores efficiently, enabling clients to enjoy a clean living space without added stress or physical strain.
- Transported individuals to events and activities, medical appointments, and shopping trips.
- Ensured timely medication administration, managing accurate records of dosages and schedules for multiple clients.
- Monitored and assisted residents through individual service plans.
- Remained alert to problems or health issues of clients and competently responded.
- Assisted clients with meal planning and preparation, taking into consideration dietary restrictions and preferences for optimal nutrition.
- Assisted patients with self-administered medications.
- Prevented injuries through diligent observation of the environment and prompt intervention when needed during mobility assistance tasks.
- Collaborated with healthcare professionals to develop individualized care plans addressing each client''s specific needs.
- Monitored vital signs regularly, promptly reporting any abnormal findings to medical professionals for further evaluation.
- Planned activities to encourage movement, stretching, and strength building.
- Developed creative strategies for overcoming obstacles related to mobility or cognitive limitations while promoting maximum functionality in daily tasks.
- Recorded temperature, blood pressure, pulse, or respiration rate as directed by medical or nursing staff.
- Facilitated client transportation to appointments, ensuring punctuality while providing emotional support during visits.
- Assisted with daily living activities, running errands, and household chores.
- Cleaned house, ran errands, managed laundry, and completed weekly grocery shopping.
- Provided safe mobility support to help patients move around personal and public spaces.
- Monitored client vital signs, administered medications, and tracked behaviors to keep healthcare supervisor well-informed.
- Changed dressings, bandages, and binders to maintain proper healing and sanitary measures.
- Assisted patients with bathing, grooming, dressing, and oral hygiene care both in private residences and facilities.
- Supported daily hygiene needs of patients by assisting with bathing, dressing, dental care and personal grooming.
- Laundered items, changed sheets and made bed to keep patients' bedroom clean.
- Monitored clients' overall health and well-being and noted significant changes.
- Built and maintained rapport with clients and family members to facilitate trusting caregiver relationship.
- Provided compassionate and patient-focused care to cultivate well-being.
- Guided patients to restroom to support bladder and bowel relief requirements.
- Entrusted to handle confidential and sensitive situations in professional matter.
- Completed regular check-ins and progress report for each client.
- Recorded status and duties completed in logbooks for management.
- Cooked meals and assisted patients with eating tasks to support healthy nutrition.
- Maintained strong connections within caregiver community to gain continuous knowledge.
- Transported clients to and from medical appointments with safety and efficiency.
- Replaced bandages, dressings, and binders to care for wounds and encourage healing.
- Recorded patients' pulse, blood pressure and respirations (TPRs) to assess and document important health information.
- Implemented physical therapy to support patient improvement in muscle tone, range of motion and injury recovery.
- Identified needs and coordinated plans for travel and out-of-town functions.
- Provided staff coaching, mentoring, and consultation to enhance performance and professional development.
- Handled incoming mail, bills and invoices and completed appropriate actions.
PCA
Accurate PCA Services
Elk River, MN
08.2004 - 03.2014
- Provided compassionate support to clients in daily living activities, enhancing their quality of life.
- Assisted with personal hygiene, meal preparation, and medication management to ensure client well-being.
- Documented client progress and changes in health status to maintain accurate records for care planning.
- Collaborated with healthcare professionals to develop and implement individualized care plans for clients.
- Trained new staff on best practices for client care and safety protocols, fostering a supportive team environment.
- Monitored clients' physical and emotional needs, addressing concerns promptly and effectively.
- Implemented organizational improvements that streamlined service delivery and increased client satisfaction rates.
- Advocated for clients' rights and needs within the healthcare system, ensuring they received appropriate resources.
- Assisted patients with daily living activities, promoting independence and wellbeing.
- Ensured proper hygiene practices were followed by assisting with bathing, grooming tasks.
- Improved patient comfort by providing compassionate and attentive care.
- Maintained a clean and safe environment for patients, reducing the risk of infections and accidents.
- Answered patient assistance calls, assessed needs, and offered qualified support.
- Developed strong relationships with patients'' families to provide updates on progress and address concerns collaboratively.
- Provided emotional support to patients and families during difficult times, fostering trust and rapport.
- Facilitated meal planning, preparation, feeding assistance as needed while adhering to specific dietary restrictions or requirements.
- Obtained patient vital signs and reported results to staff nurse or physician, noting changes from prior measurements.
- Monitored vital signs and reported changes in patient condition to medical professionals promptly.
- Prevented bedsores through regular repositioning and skin assessments of at-risk patients.
- Managed challenging behaviors in dementia patients using de-escalation techniques, creating a calm atmosphere within the care setting.
- Helped patients maintain healthy skin by checking wounds, assessing integrity, and bathing bedbound individuals.
- Enhanced patient mobility by assisting with transfers, ambulation, and range of motion exercises.
- Responded to patient emergencies with immediate care and notified clinicians to provide comprehensive assistance.
- Administered medications as prescribed, preventing adverse reactions or complications.
- Coordinated transportation services for medical appointments or other necessary outings for patients who required assistance outside of the home setting.
- Collaborated with healthcare teams to develop individualized care plans, ensuring optimal outcomes for each patient.
- Maximized patient satisfaction by helping individuals carry out personal tasks such as dressing and walking.
- Documented patient information accurately in electronic medical records, ensuring continuity of care among healthcare providers.
- Promoted social interaction among residents within a long-term care facility which enhanced overall quality of life.
- Educated patients on self-care techniques and disease management strategies, empowering them to take control of their health.
- Provided respite care for family caregivers, allowing them to rest and recharge while ensuring the continued well-being of their loved one.
- Performed wound care and dressing changes, facilitating timely healing and recovery.
- Collected and transported specimens to prepare for lab testing.
- Supported the physical therapy process by guiding patients through prescribed exercises under therapist supervision.
- Maintained clean and safe environment to promote patient safety and comfort.
- Assisted in transferring patients, beds and patient care equipment to other rooms adhering to necessary safety precautions.
- Completed activities of daily living for patients unable to self-care, and assisted those with limited mobility in completing tasks.
- Changed linens in rooms, keeping spaces fresh and clean for patient health and satisfaction.
- Facilitated personal hygiene management, feeding and ambulation.
- Documented patient information and care activities in electronic health record.
- Helped patients with self-feeding and assisted feeding, based on individual needs.
- Assisted nursing staff with completing daily rounds, documenting vital signs and answering calls.
- Responded to patient requests for supplies and personal comfort items such as extra blankets.
- Prevented cross-contamination by cleaning and sterilizing equipment.
- Helped patients complete range of motion exercises to prevent loss of function during care.
- Observed patients under care conditions to help identify symptoms, responses to treatments and progress with goals.
- Cared for clients with diagnoses MS
- Transported patients between rooms and appointments or testing locations.
- Maintained patient stability by checking vital signs and weight and recording intake and outtake information.
- Provided care to patients throughout lifespan with consideration of aging processes, human development stages and culture.
- Upheld infection control and prevention policies across different patient-facing areas.
- Followed directions of licensed nurses to administer medications and treatments.
- Monitored patient specimen samples and test results to effectively alert supervisors of potentially unhealthy changes.
- Collaborated with physicians to design at-home medication guidelines and educated patients and families on correct medication administration.
- Assisted with feeding and monitored intake to help patients achieve nutritional objectives.
Education
Associate of Science -
Stars Services
Associate of Applied Science - Criminal Justice And Social Work
Rasmussen College
Saint Cloud, MN12-2016
Skills
- 245D program standards certified
- Therap Trained and trainer
- Behavioral support
- Health and safety compliance
- Disability awareness
- Program planning
- Client assessment
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Multitasking and organization
- Daily living support
- Compassionate caregiving
- First aid and safety
- Team collaboration
- HIPAA compliance
- Health and safety requirements
- Active listening
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Verbal and written communication
- Case documentation
- Relationship building
- Positive reinforcement
- Social skills development
- Client documentation
- Client advocacy
- Medication administration
- Behavioral management
- Conflict resolution
- Goal setting
- Appointment scheduling
- Behavior redirection
- Client support
- Life skills training
- Safety monitoring
- Record keeping
- De-escalation techniques
- Mobility assistance
- Care plan management
- Report writing
- Care plan assessment
- Cultural awareness
- Recreational activities
- Case management
- Progress documentation
- Medical records management
- Indirect patient care
- Chronic disease management
- First aid and CPR
- Community activities
- Client safety and first aid
- Infection control procedures
- Hygiene assistance
- Charting and documentation
- Community integration support
- Support plan management
- Personal care assistance
- Adaptive equipment use
- Case management experience
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Fast learner
- Attention to detail
- Problem-solving abilities
- Multitasking Abilities
- Reliability
- Critical thinking
- Clear communication
- Attentive to people
- CPR certification
- Organizational skills
Timeline
Direct Support Coordinator
Blue Sky Support Services
09.2023 - Current
Personal Care Assistant
Advantage PCA Services
01.2014 - 05.2018
PCA
Accurate PCA Services
08.2004 - 03.2014
Associate of Science -
Stars Services
Associate of Applied Science - Criminal Justice And Social Work
Rasmussen College
The Nuts and Bolts of Chapter 245D Program Standards
Virtual Class room certificate of 245D training