Lamicha E. Harris
Philadelphia
Summary
Dynamic professional with extensive expertise in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, specializing in serving adjudicated youth and individuals with mental health and behavioral diagnoses, as well as those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autistic patients across all age groups. Recognized for unwavering dedication to organizational success and team collaboration, complemented by strong leadership skills developed through supervising teams of over 20 staff members and managing care for more than 40 consumers. A compassionate leader known for a confident demeanor, exceptional work ethic, and the ability to resolve problems swiftly and efficiently. Experienced trainer in Emergency Safety Management (ESM) and Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI), adept at managing crises calmly and effectively.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Cook Manager
New Vitae Wellness and Recovery
06.2025 - Current
- Supervised kitchen operations, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
- Developed and implemented menu plans catering to dietary needs of residents.
- Developed creative daily specials, incorporating seasonal ingredients to showcase culinary skills and increase menu diversity.
- Trained and mentored staff in food preparation techniques and service standards.
- Streamlined inventory management processes to reduce waste and optimize supply usage.
- Collaborated with nutritionists to create balanced meal options for residents.
- Conducted regular quality control checks on food presentation and taste consistency.
- Maintained a high standard of cleanliness, ensuring a safe and sanitary work environment for staff and residents.
- Improved team morale by fostering open communication and encouraging professional growth among staff members.
Psychiatric Technician
Temple Hospital
08.2022 - Current
- Administered therapeutic interventions to support patient recovery and emotional well-being.
- Monitored vital signs and behavioral changes to ensure patient safety and compliance with treatment plans.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop individualized care plans for pediatric patients.
- Documented patient progress and incidents in electronic health records for accurate data tracking.
- Advocated for patients' needs by communicating effectively with families and healthcare providers.
- Developed strong rapport with diverse patient populations through empathetic listening skills, helping them feel heard and understood.
- Observed patients closely for signs of distress or changes in condition, promptly reporting concerns to supervising clinicians for appropriate intervention.
- Utilized de-escalation techniques to manage challenging behaviors effectively, promoting a calm atmosphere conducive to healing.
Shift Supervisor
New Vitae Wellness and Recovery Center
07.2021 - 06.2025
- Supervision and oversight of the facility.
- Develops and monitors performance standards of all employees and consultants.
- Supervises operations, insisting on competent and efficient performance of all employees and consultants.
- Counsels with and advises staff, residents and supports to resolve personal or behavioral concerns; in cohorts with work policies, procedures and guidelines, and identifying the precipitating factors to formulate a safe solution on site.
- Scheduling and implementing daily activities i.e., educational, vocational and other activities to assist them with integrating back into the community with family or independently.
- Collaborating with the treatment team and outside resources about the resident's progress, or improvement needed to jointly plan and implement behavioral plans best suited for the individual.
- Supervised daily operations, ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards.
- Managed staff scheduling, balancing workload and operational needs effectively.
- Enforced company policies and regulations with employees.
- Monitored staff compliance with health codes, ensuring high standards of cleanliness throughout the facility consistently met or exceeded expectations.
Mentor II
New Vitae Wellness and Recovery Center
06.2020 - 07.2021
- Monitoring and maintaining the safety of the participants and staff.
- Responsible for providing therapeutic support to Adults with forensic backgrounds and dual diagnosis of mental and behavioral components.
- Collaborating with the multidisciplinary treatment team on the participant’s progress and implementing new behavioral modifications to assist the participants with completing their treatment goals.
- Assisting the participants with daily activities, i.e. hygiene, vocational, educational and recreational skills.
Care Coordinator
New Vitae Wellness and Recovery Center
10.2019 - 06.2020
- Assisted residents with severe mental Illness, substance abuse and forensic backgrounds in setting up community services including medical assistance, social security, establishing bank accounts and retrieving legal documents.
- Collaborated with Probation Officers, Community Behavioral Health, Department of Human Services, Court proceedings and other entities utilized to assist the resident with integrating back into the community.
- Initiated and followed through with community appointments while directly guiding, encouraging and coaching residents to gain independent living skills.
- Coordinated with the treatment team and outside resources to implement discharging plans, suitable housing and continuous outpatient services.
Community Employment Program Specialist
Central Regional Hospital/DHHS
02.2019 - 09.2019
- Provided psychosocial treatment facilitation to assist adult/geriatric patients with dual diagnosis, substance abuse, and criminal backgrounds (forensic) in the development of community living and vocational skills.
- Assessed adult patients living skills, completed job readiness evaluations, developed a client job-placement plan, learning the job skills, duties, and expectations of employers, breaking the job down into manageable components, training the client to perform the job duties, and providing on-site supervision and support for the client.
- Developed a curriculum and facilitated both group and 1:1 interventions that assisted the adult patients to meet vocational, academic, and leisure developmental goals.
Community Specialist
Monarch NC
10.2018 - 09.2019
- Assisted adults with IDD and autism in developing advocacy skills, participating in advocacy efforts, and utilizing personal advocates, as well as provided periodic relief to the caregiver.
- Served as a resource for adult individuals receiving services on community agencies, services, and supports that can meet identified needs/goals.
- Supervised, educated, and monitored (as needed) adult individuals receiving services in work, home, school, or community type settings.
- Provided one-on-one support as needed to meet the emotional, physical, and medical needs of each adult individual with IDD and autism.
Psychiatric Technician
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
12.2017 - 08.2018
- Provided therapeutic care to children ages infant to 19 years old, while observing the medical, mental or behavioral components.
- Provided the least restrictive to most restrictive methods to de-escalate crisis utilizing non-violent crisis intervention techniques to assure patient, family and staff safety.
- Promoted healthy coping skills via verbal support, implementation of behavior plan by the therapeutic team and management of the environment.
- Evaluated and documented patient responses to interventions as well as communicated findings to the appropriate team members, in collaboration with the care team.
- Participated in safe physical transfers and safe patient ambulation through the knowledge and use of body mechanics and gait belts. Collaborated with the RN in the application of restraints when required for safety.
Behavioral Manager/ Dean of Students/ Team Leader, Senior Counselor
Wordsworth Academy APHP
01.2013 - 04.2017
- Ensured safety and demonstrated preventative group management skills and effectively deescalate chaotic or volatile situations. Provided treatment and resolution to children/adolescents ages 5-21 years old with mental and behavioral diagnosis.
- Collaborated with outside resources: Community Behavioral Health, Philadelphia School District and the Department of Human Services, conducted utilization reviews and provided behavioral and mental collateral for families and children served.
- Hired and developed a caliber staff capable of providing high quality services accountable to job responsibilities and motivated to achieve high performance.
- Effectively managed direct reports (Behavioral Health Counselors); was expected to effectively partner with all staff creating a well-integrated program; created specialized behavioral assessments and treatment interventions in homes, schools and other community locations.
- Analyzed staff and incident logs in a consistent and timely manner to ensure all procedures and regulations were adhered to.
Education
Master of Science - Criminal Justice
Saint Joseph’s University
Philadelphia, PA05-2014
Bachelor of Science - Recreation and Leisure Management
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania
Cheyney, PA05-2004
Skills
- Time management
- Team leadership
- Decision-making
- Verbal and written communication
- De-escalation techniques
- Clinical documentation
- Incident reporting
- Kitchen management
- Sanitation standards
Timeline
Cook Manager
New Vitae Wellness and Recovery
06.2025 - Current
Psychiatric Technician
Temple Hospital
08.2022 - Current
Shift Supervisor
New Vitae Wellness and Recovery Center
07.2021 - 06.2025
Mentor II
New Vitae Wellness and Recovery Center
06.2020 - 07.2021
Care Coordinator
New Vitae Wellness and Recovery Center
10.2019 - 06.2020
Community Employment Program Specialist
Central Regional Hospital/DHHS
02.2019 - 09.2019
Community Specialist
Monarch NC
10.2018 - 09.2019
Psychiatric Technician
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
12.2017 - 08.2018
Behavioral Manager/ Dean of Students/ Team Leader, Senior Counselor
Wordsworth Academy APHP
01.2013 - 04.2017
Bachelor of Science - Recreation and Leisure Management
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania
Master of Science - Criminal Justice
Saint Joseph’s University