Doris Alston
Shellsburg,IA
Summary
Adept at enhancing client well-being and safety, my tenure at REM Iowa/Sevita showcases a blend of compassionate caregiving and efficient crisis management. Leveraging skills in medication administration and behavioral management, I've significantly improved care plans and client satisfaction. My proactive approach and ability to quickly adapt have been pivotal in fostering positive outcomes and streamlining care coordination efforts.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Direct Support Professional
REM Iowa/Sevita
Vinton, IA
10.2022 - Current
- Maintained clean, safe, and well-organized patient environment.
- Documented progress notes thoroughly to track client achievements, concerns, or changes in behavior patterns that may need attention from the interdisciplinary team.
- Assisted clients with daily living needs to maintain self-esteem and general wellness.
- Assisted with crisis intervention to de-escalate challenging behavior and maintain peaceful encounters.
- Enhanced quality of life for individuals with disabilities by providing compassionate and consistent direct support.
- Assisted clients in achieving personal goals through tailored care plans and daily skill-building activities.
- Supported clients with personal care tasks, ensuring their dignity and privacy were maintained at all times.
- Monitored medication administration, maintaining accurate records to ensure client safety and compliance with prescribed treatment plans.
- Participated in ongoing training opportunities to stay current on best practices in disability support services.
- Provided ongoing communication between clients, families, and other service providers to enhance overall care coordination efforts.
- Assisted disabled clients to support independence and well-being.
- Maintained a safe and inclusive environment by addressing behavioral challenges with patience and understanding.
- Facilitated social outings and community integration activities, promoting inclusion and positive experiences for clients.
- Monitored clients to assess and report physical and behavioral changes to supervisors.
- Encouraged and supported clients to participate in recreational and leisure activities to promote social interactions and reduce loneliness.
- Addressed emergency situations calmly and effectively, prioritizing the safety of both clients and staff members involved.
- Promoted physical well-being by supporting clients in engaging in regular exercise routines or therapeutic activities suited to their abilities.
- Transported clients to medical and dental appointments to provide support.
- Monitored progress and documented patient health status changes to keep care team updated.
- Improved client self-sufficiency through teaching essential skills such as meal preparation, housekeeping, and financial management.
- Implemented individualized behavior management plans, reducing incidents of challenging behaviors within the residence.
- Advocated for clients'' rights within the broader community, raising awareness about issues affecting those with disabilities.
- Adapted support approaches based on individual client preferences, fostering increased trust and rapport over time.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive support strategies for each client''s unique needs.
- Established strong relationships with local community resources to connect clients with additional supports as needed.
- Implemented behavior management plans to address challenging behaviors, promoting safe environment for all.
- Conducted daily documentation of clients' progress and incidents, maintaining accurate and up-to-date records.
- Provided emotional and practical support to individuals, fostering positive and supportive living environment.
- Organized and participated in recreational activities, contributing to vibrant community life for residents.
- Adapted activities and support strategies to meet changing needs of clients, demonstrating flexibility and creativity.
Cook
Ron Da Voo
Vinton, IA
03.2020 - 10.2022
- Maintained clean and organized work areas at all times to bring safety and quality to food preparation process.
- Maintained a clean and sanitary workspace, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
- Prepared meals efficiently under time constraints for timely service during peak hours.
- Demonstrated strong multitasking skills, managing multiple orders simultaneously without sacrificing quality or presentation.
- Prepared food items in compliance with recipes and portioning control guidelines.
- Set up and prepared cooking supplies and workstations during opening and closing to maximize productivity.
- Managed time by organizing and prioritizing kitchen duties to prepare and serve food quickly.
- Prepared multiple orders simultaneously during peak periods with high accuracy rate, maximizing customer satisfaction, and repeat business.
- Checked for quality, kept track of old and new items and rotated stock to confirm freshness of food and ingredients.
- Changed and sanitized cutting boards, benches, and surfaces between tasks to avoid cross-contamination.
- Took food orders from cashiers and cooked items quickly to complete order items together and serve hot.
- Reduced food waste significantly by implementing proper portion control and storage techniques.
- Created identical dishes numerous times daily with consistent care, attention to detail, and quality.
- Maintained well-stocked stations with supplies and spices for maximum productivity.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by consistently delivering high-quality, visually appealing dishes.
- Communicated closely with servers to fully understand special orders for customers.
- Streamlined kitchen operations with effective communication and collaboration among team members.
- Instructed new staff in proper food preparation, storage, use of kitchen equipment and sanitation.
- Enhanced teamwork within the kitchen staff by fostering a collaborative environment focused on meeting high standards of quality and efficiency.
- Contributed to positive guest experiences by accommodating special dietary needs and requests.
- Assisted in inventory management and ordering supplies, maintaining adequate stock levels for efficient kitchen operations.
- Tasted, smelled, and pierced food with fork to verify sufficient cooking.
- Supported kitchen staff training and development, leading to increased productivity and efficiency.
- Showcased excellent knife skills for precise cutting and preparation of various ingredients.
- Collaborated with management team to develop new menu items.
- Maintained high standards of hygiene and cleanliness, ensuring safe dining environment.
- Developed and maintained clean and organized kitchen workspace, setting standard for team.
- Streamlined food preparation process, increasing kitchen productivity.
- Managed time effectively to ensure timely meal preparation, even during peak hours.
- Conducted regular quality checks on ingredients, ensuring only best were used in meal preparation.
- Adapted quickly to menu changes and customer requests, demonstrating flexibility and problem-solving skills.
- Developed system for inventory management, reducing waste and cutting costs.
- Enhanced kitchen efficiency by streamlining prep work processes.
- Introduced waste reduction program, contributing to environmental sustainability efforts.
- Optimized use of kitchen equipment to speed up cooking times without compromising food quality.
- Ensured compliance with all food safety regulations, maintaining record of excellence in health inspections.
- Coordinated with front of house to ensure smooth service during busy periods, enhancing customer dining experience.
- Maintained food safety and sanitation standards.
- Kept kitchen clean and organized by performing daily maintenance tasks.
- Followed strict standards for food handling and safety, minimizing risks to customers.
- Restocked inventory and ingredient items to maintain optimal kitchen efficiency.
- Managed opening and closing shift kitchen tasks.
- Prepared and served various food items in fast-paced Type environment.
- Measured, weighed, and mixed appropriate ingredients according to recipe directions.
- Coordinated checklists to keep kitchen clean, stocked and sanitary.
- Measured and mixed ingredients according to precise recipes for best results.
- Contributed to consistent customer satisfaction rating by producing high-quality food and providing timely service.
- Prioritized and re-prioritized kitchen tasks based on fluctuating demands.
- Trained and supervised cooking staff to expertly meet daily needs.
Saw Operator
Pries Enterprises
Independence, IA
11.2014 - 09.2016
- Reduced material waste with precise measurements and effective use of raw materials.
- Adapted to varying project requirements by quickly learning new techniques and adjusting saw settings as needed.
- Maintained an organized workspace through diligent cleaning practices, ensuring debris removal after each shift for optimal productivity.
- Monitored and inspected sawing machine operations to detect any malfunctions.
- Increased production efficiency by maintaining saw equipment and performing regular blade replacements.
- Completed special cuts, grooves and bevels to produce desired looks.
- Achieved consistent product quality by adhering to standardized manufacturing processes during all phases of saw operation tasks.
- Set up and powered saws to cut, slot, groove, miter and trim metallic and non-metallic workpieces according to specifications.
- Enhanced workplace safety by consistently following established safety protocols and guidelines for saw operations.
- Ensured accurate record-keeping by documenting material cuts, machine adjustments, blade changes, and general maintenance activities in daily logs.
- Mounted workpieces in holding device, manually, or using hoist.
- Set controls to adjust speed, feed rate and blade tensions.
- Maximized machine longevity through proper maintenance, routine inspections, and immediate troubleshooting of any issues.
- Monitored operating machinery to assess progress, adjust settings, and maintain production speeds.
- Trained newly hired employees on machine operations and control set ups, explaining safety procedures to prevent injuries.
- Demonstrated flexibility in completing tasks on various types of saws such as table saws, band saws, miter saws, or panel saws depending on project needs.
- Set up and calibrated machinery to meet specific production requirements.
- Supported a positive work environment with strong communication skills, effectively collaborating with team members on shared tasks.
- Completed complex projects efficiently by reading blueprints or diagrams provided by customers or supervisors.
- Contributed to quality control efforts by inspecting finished products for accuracy and adherence to project specifications.
- Ensured timely completion of projects by accurately measuring and cutting materials according to specifications.
- Collaborated with team members to streamline workflow, optimizing time management, and reducing downtime.
- Verified dimensions of finishing workpiece and frequently used weld and anneal saw blades.
- Delivered reliable results by consistently producing precise cuts within project tolerances and specifications.
- Contributed to a proactive maintenance culture by promptly reporting any equipment issues or safety concerns to supervisors for immediate resolution.
- Identified stock imperfections, assigned grades, and noted production concerns based on regular inspections.
- Documented counts and sorted finished work to promote easy access for shipping or additional processing.
- Minimized downtime through prompt identification of potential issues or malfunctions during daily pre-shift inspections.
- Scribed reference lines on materials as guide for sawing operations.
- Assisted in inventory management by tracking material usage and providing accurate reports for restocking purposes.
- Provided training assistance to new hires, sharing practical knowledge on safe equipment operation procedures and best practices within the industry.
- Improved overall performance by participating in ongoing training programs and workshops, staying up-to-date on industry advancements.
- Set up sawing machines to accurately cut materials to specified sizes and dimensions.
- Developed strategies to increase productivity and reduce waste.
- Inspected and adjusted saws to establish accurate cutting measures.
- Maximized efficiency by removing safety hazards and debris from work areas.
- Trained new employees to properly operate sawing machines and comply with safety protocols.
- Monitored and adjusted the speed and cutting pressure of the machines to produce high-quality results.
- Sharpened and replaced worn or defective blades and bands using hand tools.
Education
Psychology
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IASkills
- First aid and safety
- Behavior redirection
- Client Support
- Compassionate Caregiving
- Medication Administration
- Behavioral Management
- Client documentation
- Housekeeping tasks
- Decision-making support
- Health and safety requirements
- Direct Patient Care
- Transportation
- Appointment Scheduling
- Patient Care
- Disability Awareness
- Client Transportation
- Social Skills Development
- Goal Setting
- ADL support
- Crisis Management
- Recreational Activities
- Patient Management
- Progress Documentation
- Individualized Support Planning
- Patient Assessments
- Safety Monitoring
- Community Integration
- Medical Records Management
- State regulations knowledge
- Care Plan Management
- Care plan assessment
- Transportation Assistance
- Indirect Patient Care
- Patient Education
- Nutrition
- Care Delivery
- Nutrition Support
- Self-Advocacy Training
- Chronic Disease Management
- Clinical Quality Program Standards
- CPR Certification
- Time Management
- Fast Learner
- Critical Thinking
- Documentation and Recordkeeping
- First Aid Certification
- Medication Management
- Attentive to People
- Cooking meals
- Certified in CPR/AED
- Vitals Monitoring and Documentation
- Decision-Making
- Clear Communication
- Relationship Building
- Housekeeping
- Supportive Personality
- Meal Preparation
- Progress Tracking
- Direct Care Aide
- Schedule Management
- Safety Compliance
- Medical chart documentation
- Household Cleaning
- Client Education
- Service Documentation
- Team Collaboration
- Client Records Management
- Needs Assessment
- Personal Care Aide
- Heartsaver First Aid (First Aid)
- Blood Glucose Monitoring
- Meal Planning and Preparation
- Word Processing
- Bedside Care
- Heartsaver CPR AED (CPR AED)
- Light Cleaning
- Light Housekeeping
- Client satisfaction
- Infection Control
- Wound Care
- Emergency Response
- Problem Identification
- Caring Companionship
- Injury Prevention
- Records Maintenance
- Meeting planning
- Communication Assistance
- Laptop and Tablet Operation
- Care Planning
- Staff Collaboration
Certification
Medication Management, Serve Safety Food Management certificate, CPR certificate, AED/heartsave certificate.
Timeline
Direct Support Professional
REM Iowa/Sevita
10.2022 - Current
Cook
Ron Da Voo
03.2020 - 10.2022
Saw Operator
Pries Enterprises
11.2014 - 09.2016
Psychology
Kirkwood Community College