Dora Hymans
Chancellor,SD
Summary
Dedicated professional with extensive experience in personal care assistance and emotional support. Skilled in effective communication, safety protocol implementation, and client advocacy, committed to enhancing client well-being and fostering independence.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Direct Support Professional Caregiver
Lifescape
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
12.2025 - Current
- Assisted individuals with daily living activities and personal care needs.
- Provided companionship and emotional support to enhance client well-being.
- Documented client progress and reported changes to care team members.
- Implemented safety protocols to ensure a secure environment for clients.
- Facilitated communication between clients, families, and healthcare professionals.
- Supported clients in engaging in recreational activities and social events.
- Trained new staff on caregiving techniques and best practices in client support.
- Maintained accurate documentation of client behavior, progress notes and incident reports.
- Adhered to established policies, procedures and regulations while maintaining confidentiality at all times.
- Provided personal care and hygiene assistance to clients, including bathing, dressing, grooming and toileting.
- Assisted with medication administration following guidelines set by the physician or nurse practitioner.
- Organized recreational activities for clients such as music therapy, art therapy, pet therapy and outdoor activities.
- Facilitated community outings to promote socialization and independence in daily living skills.
- Monitored changes in physical condition or behaviors of clients which may indicate need for further medical attention or intervention.
- Ensured safety of all individuals in the facility at all times.
- Actively participated in educational training programs designed to enhance knowledge about disabilities or mental health issues.
- Developed positive relationships with clients and their families through regular communication.
- Participated in team meetings to discuss current issues affecting the health or safety of clients or staff members.
- Supervised meal times ensuring that appropriate nutritional needs were met for each client.
- Encouraged a sense of self-determination among clients while providing guidance when necessary.
- Provided transportation services for clients to doctor's appointments, shopping trips or other outings as needed.
- Supported clients during medical appointments to ensure understanding of instructions provided by healthcare professionals.
- Demonstrated empathy towards individuals receiving services while promoting independence whenever possible.
- Worked closely with case managers to coordinate services and ensure quality outcomes for each client served.
- Collaborated with other staff members to develop individualized plans of care for each client based on their abilities and interests.
- Assessed potential risks associated with certain activities prior to engaging in them with the client population.
- Encouraged residents to participate in activities of daily living to enhance personal dignity.
- Followed safe lifting and transferring techniques to transport residents.
- Followed care plan and directions to administer medications.
- Aided with mobility and independence for disabled individuals and continually monitored safety.
- Drove clients to shop for groceries, attend doctor appointments and run errands.
- Improved patient outlook and daily living through compassionate care.
- Created safe and positive living situations for clients by communicating with family and other staff about concerns or challenges.
- Reported concerns to nurse supervisor to promote optimal care.
- Assisted clients with maintaining good personal hygiene.
- Organized oral medications for clients following dosage and schedule requirements.
- Maintained cleanliness of clients' environment by cleaning surfaces and washing clothes or dishes.
- Helped clients communicate with loved ones by typing written messages and relaying verbal messages.
- Collected and recorded patients' blood pressure, pulse, and respirations (TPRs) to evaluate and note basic health status.
- Monitored clients' activity levels and helped prevent sedentary behavior.
- Partnered with registered nurses and physiotherapists to provide care to patients.
Residential Assistant
Southeastern Behavior Healthcare
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
07.2023 - 12.2025
- Assisted clients with daily living activities and personal care tasks.
- Maintained a safe and clean environment for residents at all times.
- Documented client progress and reported concerns to supervisory staff.
- Collaborated with team members to develop individualized care plans.
- Facilitated recreational activities to enhance social interaction among residents.
- Monitored client behavior and provided feedback to improve engagement.
- Communicated effectively with families about client needs and progress.
- Performed administrative tasks such as filing paperwork and updating databases related to residential life operations.
- Conducted room inspections to ensure compliance with housing policies.
- Maintained accurate records of incidents involving residents and staff members.
- Responded promptly to emergency situations occurring inside or outside of residence halls.
- Assisted in the development and implementation of programs to meet the needs of residents.
- Organized events such as movie nights, game nights, and study groups for students living on campus.
- Facilitated conflict resolution between roommates or other individuals living on campus.
- Participated in departmental, organizational and community meetings.
- Maintained clean and sanitary living environment for residents.
- Transported clients to recreational and leisure activities.
- Provided after-hours coverage when necessary including late night shifts during exam periods.
- Used educational approach to address students about policies and behavior.
- Completed routine and non-routine resident direct care duties to meet physical and emotional needs residents.
- Conducted regular meetings with residents to discuss concerns, plan activities, and review policies.
- Developed strategies to address challenging behavior among residents.
- Assisted students as in developing interpersonal skills and individual responsibility.
- Collaborated with day services to coordinate clients' at-home program for continuity of care.
- Worked closely with clients in vocational adjustments to acquire desirable work habits.
- Administered and recorded medication distribution according to policy.
- Provided guidance and advice regarding academic success as well as personal issues affecting students' lives.
- Taught independent living skills to assist individuals with completing day-to-day tasks.
- Coordinated maintenance services for residence halls including repairs and cleaning.
- Maintained behavior management checklist and recorded daily data.
- Facilitated therapeutic interaction with residents using positive role-modeling, one-on-one support and active listening.
- Motivated clients to participate in new activities to broaden skills.
- Fostered relationships with residents and worked with new residents to optimize acclimation and ease transition to new living environment.
- Interfaced with residents to address and resolve complaints or grievances.
- Responded to crisis situations quickly to maintain calm and immediately determine level of assistance needed.
- Developed and deepened relationships with residents and fellow staff.
- Provided emotional support and guidance to residents, referring them to campus resources when necessary.
- Tracked participation in residence life programs and assessed the impact on resident engagement.
- Participated in on-call rotation, responding to emergencies and incidents in a timely and effective manner.
- Fostered a culture of inclusivity and diversity within the residence hall.
- Conducted regular room inspections to maintain health and safety standards.
- Answered telephones and routed calls or delivered messages.
- Communicated with staff to resolve problems with individual students.
- Chaperoned group-sponsored trips and social functions.
- Conferred with medical personnel to understand backgrounds and needs of residents.
- Accompanied and supervised students during meals.
- Counseled students in handling family, financial and educational problems.
- Collaborated with counselors to develop counseling programs that addressed student needs.
- Compiled residents' daily activities and quantities of supplies used to prepare reports
Direct Support Professional
Black Hills Works
Rapid City, South Dakota
10.2021 - 06.2024
- Provided daily assistance to individuals with developmental disabilities.
- Supported clients in personal care and daily living activities.
- Facilitated community integration and social activities for clients.
- Documented client progress and communicated needs to team members.
- Maintained a safe and clean environment for clients during activities.
- Collaborated with families to ensure consistent care and support strategies.
- Advocated for client rights and needs within the organization and community.
- Monitored individuals' behaviors, documented observations, reported any changes or concerns to supervisor.
- Provided direct care to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, fostering activities of daily living.
- Provided assistance to individuals with daily activities such as personal care, meal preparation and medication reminders.
- Accompanied individuals on outings to promote independence and integration into the community.
- Maintained clean and well-organized environment for client happiness and safety.
- Followed care plan and directions to administer medications.
- Assisted individuals in learning and developing new skills.
- Aided with mobility and independence for disabled individuals and continually monitored safety.
- Developed strong and trusting rapport with patients to facilitate smooth, quality care.
- Used approved crisis intervention techniques in emergency situations.
- Encouraged positive behavior through modeling appropriate responses and reinforcing desired behaviors.
- Assisted with planning and coordination of activities and outings based on individual needs.
- Documented current patient information to update vital signs, behaviors, and eating habits.
- Reported changes in client condition to administrators, facilitating nursing intervention.
- Collaborated with other staff members to develop individualized service plans for each participant.
- Tracked and reported clients' progress based on observations and conversations.
- Facilitated social interactions between participants and their peers in the community.
- Instructed individuals in self-advocacy skills to increase autonomy and decision making abilities.
- Enhanced patient wellbeing by supporting participation in recreational activities.
- Developed relationships with families of those receiving services to ensure continuity of care.
- Leveraged database management system to track and report service hours, details of activities and progress on goals.
- Encouraged and reassured clients throughout transitions to facilitate smooth discharge.
- Assisted clients with maintaining good personal hygiene.
- Provided assistance with eating during meal times.
- Maintained detailed records of services performed on clients.
- Built strong and trusting rapport with clients and loved ones.
- Helped clients get in and out of beds and wheelchairs.
- Monitored health and well-being of clients and reported significant health changes.
- Obtained sources of entertainment for clients to provide full and enjoyable daily activities.
- Contacted medical providers on behalf of clients to follow up on appointments.
- Monitored clients' activity levels and helped prevent sedentary behavior.
- Helped clients adjust to new lifestyles during periods of incapacitation or recuperation.
Education
High School Diploma -
Lincoln High School
Sioux Falls, SD05-2004
GED -
Nettelton Community College
Sioux Falls, SD05-2001
Skills
- Personal care assistance
- Medication administration
- Behavior monitoring
- Safety protocol implementation
- Individualized care planning
- Community integration
- Emotional support provision
- Client advocacy
- Effective communication
- Team collaboration
- Conflict resolution
- Crisis intervention
- Active listening
- Rapport building
- Recreational activity facilitation
- Self-advocacy support
- Nutrition monitoring
- Activity planning
- Disability awareness
- First aid and CPR
- Personal hygiene assistance
- Emotional support
- Meal preparation
- Patient care
- Transportation assistance
- Physical assistance
- Adaptive equipment use
- Healthcare coordination
- Chronic illness management
- Verbal and written communication skills
- Clinical quality program standards
- Compassionate client care
- Cultural sensitivity
- Complex Problem-solving
- Respectful and compassionate
- Elderly care
- Patient assessments
- Compassion and empathy
- End-of-life care
- Community engagement
- Behavior redirection
- Client documentation
- Alzheimer's care
- Direct patient care
- Problem-solving
- Housekeeping tasks
- Client documentation
- Patient companionship
- Flexible schedule and availability
- Quality assurance protocols
- Patient management
- [Language] fluency
- Care plan management
- Medication management
- Empathetic listening
- Behavioral management
- Medication coordination
- Heavy lifting
- First aid and safety
- Care plan adherence
- Hoyer lifting equipment
- ADL assistance
- Disability support
- Patient advocacy
- Patient mobility assistance
- Safety awareness
- Strong ethics
- Compassionate communication
- Dining room support
- PPE usage
Certification
- Safety Care, CPR/FIRST AID
Affiliations
- Going on Walks, Swimming, Coloring with my kids, Playing games with my kids
Timeline
Direct Support Professional Caregiver
Lifescape
12.2025 - Current
Residential Assistant
Southeastern Behavior Healthcare
07.2023 - 12.2025
Direct Support Professional
Black Hills Works
10.2021 - 06.2024
High School Diploma -
Lincoln High School
GED -
Nettelton Community College