Heather Gardner
Port Huron,MI
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
CLS Caregiver
Val Hudgens, Arc of St. Clair County
10.2024 - Current
- Assisted individuals with daily living activities to enhance independence and quality of life.
- Provided compassionate support and companionship to clients, fostering emotional well-being.
- Monitored and documented client health changes, reporting concerns to healthcare professionals promptly.
- Implemented personalized care plans tailored to individual needs and preferences.
- Coordinated transportation for clients to medical appointments and community events, ensuring accessibility.
- Trained new caregivers on best practices in patient care and safety protocols effectively.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to optimize client care strategies and improve service delivery.
- Advocated for client rights and dignity, ensuring compliance with ethical standards in caregiving practices.
- Assisted clients with activities of daily living, promoting independence and quality of life.
- Cleaned house, ran errands, managed laundry, and completed weekly grocery shopping.
- Assisted with dressing guidance, grooming, meal preparation, and medication reminders.
- Performed light housekeeping duties to maintain cleanliness standards while respecting the patient''s personal space.
- Built strong relationships with clients to deliver emotional support and companionship.
- Assisted clients with daily living needs to maintain self-esteem and general wellness.
- Engaged patients in meaningful conversation, socialization, and activity while providing personal care assistance.
HOYO House Manager
Julie McCoy- GT Independence
02.2021 - Current
- Managed daily operations to ensure high-quality support for clients and caregivers.
- Coordinated schedules and logistics for client appointments and caregiver shifts.
- Developed and implemented procedures to enhance communication between staff and families.
- Maintained detailed records of client services and caregiver performance for compliance purposes.
- Trained new staff on operational protocols, fostering a collaborative team environment.
- Oversaw conflict resolution among staff, promoting a harmonious workplace culture.
- Adapted quickly to last-minute changes in plans or circumstances without compromising on quality or results.
- Enhanced family satisfaction with household management by addressing concerns promptly and efficiently.
- Anticipated needs of family members by staying informed about their preferences, schedules, and priorities.
- Developed and maintained comprehensive inventory systems to ensure timely replenishment of supplies, reducing waste and saving costs.
CLS/Respite Caregiver
Sue Bardon-GT Independence
05.2020 - Current
- Provided compassionate support to individuals with disabilities, ensuring comfort and safety during care sessions.
- Assisted clients with daily living activities, promoting independence and enhancing quality of life.
- Developed individualized care plans in collaboration with families and healthcare professionals to meet client needs.
- Monitored client well-being, reporting changes in health or behavior to appropriate parties for timely intervention.
- Implemented engaging recreational activities tailored to individual interests, improving social interaction and emotional well-being.
- Maintained accurate documentation of care provided, ensuring adherence to organizational policies and compliance standards.
- Actively listened to client concerns or requests while offering empathetic responses aimed at resolving issues efficiently.
- Managed household tasks such as meal preparation, laundry, and light housekeeping, enabling a clean and comfortable living environment for clients.
- Enhanced client well-being by providing compassionate and attentive respite care, allowing family members to take necessary breaks.
- Implemented engaging activities that stimulated cognitive function and encouraged social interaction among clients.
CLS Caregiver
Jan Steinle GT Independence
10.2019 - 06.2025
- Assisted individuals with daily living activities to enhance independence and quality of life.
- Monitored and documented client health changes, reporting concerns to healthcare professionals promptly.
- Implemented personalized care plans tailored to individual needs and preferences.
- Advocated for client rights and dignity, ensuring compliance with ethical standards in caregiving practices.
- Assisted clients with activities of daily living, promoting independence and quality of life.
- Assisted with dressing guidance, grooming, meal preparation, and medication reminders.
- Performed light housekeeping duties to maintain cleanliness standards while respecting the patient''s personal space.
- Assisted clients with daily living needs to maintain self-esteem and general wellness.
- Built strong relationships with clients to deliver emotional support and companionship.
- Engaged patients in meaningful conversation, socialization, and activity while providing personal care assistance.
- Maintained a safe and clean environment for patients, reducing risks and ensuring optimal health outcomes.
- Enhanced patient comfort by providing compassionate and attentive care, addressing individual needs and preferences.
- Assisted with feeding and monitored intake to help patients achieve nutritional objectives.
- Administered medications as prescribed, ensuring accurate dosage and timely administration for maximum efficacy.
Facility Director
Life Skills Centers Inc
03.2010 - 02.2020
- Supervised daily activities to enhance participant engagement and satisfaction.
- Developed and implemented individualized support plans for program participants.
- Trained staff on best practices for participant interaction and safety protocols.
- Monitored program compliance with regulatory standards and organizational policies.
- Facilitated team meetings to ensure effective communication and collaboration among staff.
- Evaluated program effectiveness through feedback collection and data analysis.
- Coordinated community outreach events to promote program visibility and participant recruitment.
- Led staff development initiatives, fostering a culture of continuous improvement in service delivery.
- Served as a trusted liaison between the organization and external stakeholders such as funding agencies or regulatory bodies, ensuring accurate record-keeping and reporting while championing service excellence within the day program.
- Ensured compliance with all relevant regulations and guidelines through diligent monitoring and reporting of program activities.
- Developed a strong team culture among staff members by establishing clear expectations, offering ongoing support, training opportunities, and celebrating accomplishments together as a team.
- Facilitated community integration for program participants through partnerships with local organizations, businesses, and volunteer opportunities.
- Handled coordination of daily activities and direct report assignments.
- Coordinated visitations and tours for program facility.
- Improved staff performance by conducting regular evaluations and providing constructive feedback.
Group Home Manager
Friends& Family Inc
03.2003 - 03.2010
- Supervised daily operations to ensure compliance with safety and care standards.
- Developed individualized care plans tailored to residents' needs and preferences.
- Trained and mentored staff on best practices for resident support and engagement.
- Coordinated recreational activities to enhance residents' social interaction and well-being.
- Managed incident reporting and documentation for regulatory compliance and quality assurance.
- Collaborated with families to address concerns and improve overall resident satisfaction.
- Implemented staff scheduling solutions to optimize workforce efficiency and coverage.
- Led team meetings to discuss performance, share feedback, and encourage professional development.
- Ensured proper medication administration for all residents through close coordination with healthcare providers and careful record-keeping practices.
- Developed trusting relationships with each resident through empathy-based interactions focusing on trust-building techniques.
- Maintained adequate coverage for residents' needs without exceeding budget targets by coordinating schedules and team workflows.
- Kept accounts, resident files and regulatory paperwork current and accurate with diligent attention to administrative requirements.
- Assisted staff with maintaining residents' health by scheduling medical appointments and arranging transportation.
- Assisted residents with basic hygiene and healthcare needs.
- Maintained compliance with state regulations, completing detailed documentation for licensing requirements and audits.
- Offered learning opportunities to help residents develop important life skills.
- Cultivated a positive living environment by organizing social events and outings designed to foster camaraderie among residents.
Timeline
CLS Caregiver
Val Hudgens, Arc of St. Clair County
10.2024 - Current
HOYO House Manager
Julie McCoy- GT Independence
02.2021 - Current
CLS/Respite Caregiver
Sue Bardon-GT Independence
05.2020 - Current
CLS Caregiver
Jan Steinle GT Independence
10.2019 - 06.2025
Facility Director
Life Skills Centers Inc
03.2010 - 02.2020
Group Home Manager
Friends& Family Inc
03.2003 - 03.2010