Heather Mikkonen
Cambridge,MN
Summary
Seek and maintain a position that offers professional challenges utilizing interpersonal, communication and problem-solving skills. Dedicated to the human services profession with history of meeting company and individual goals utilizing consistent, creative, compassionate practices. Skilled in working under pressure and adapting to new situations and challenges to best enhance the organizational mission. Hardworking and passionate with forward thinking and positive feedback. Ready to help team achieve company goals. Organized and dependable and successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals. Enthusiastic and eager to contribute to team success through hard work, attention to detail and positive interpersonal skills. Motivated to learn, grow and excel in any task.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
HST
State Of Minnesota
Vadnais Heights, Minnesota
09.2006 - Current
- HST serves as functional provider of behavior and life skills modification services to work site team and in clients home.
- Worked closely with team and leaders to strategically affect operational direction for client and states goals for business of community based services.
- Participated in office workflow and administrative processes to keep operations running smoothly for clients home, worksite and healthcare sites.
- Reaching out and advocating for client to their team and extended health team.
- Assisted and helped establish performance goals for each department and client thru data feedback on methods for reaching those milestones.
- Collaborated with management and fellow supervisors to organize operations and achieve demanding schedules for client and home site.
- Helped work thru assignments based on plans, project needs and knowledge of individual team members.
- Assist in assessing individual’s needs, develop and implement residential and habilitation support plans with goals and methods
- Communicate with team members and other agencies, evaluating and documenting out-comes, and maintaining or modifying plan and performing related work as required.
- Helped teams to achieve daily and long-term operations, business goals for clients.
- Drove service planning for home site and analyzed utilization data to improve service.
- Reached conformity with individuals by suggesting helpful actions.
- Assisted during decision-making process by compiling daily reports to suggest positive helpful changing action.
- Made recommendations for changes in process and policies based on data and judgment.
- Trained new team members of developers and discussed issues to provide resolution and apply best practices.
- Focused teams on developing innovative approaches with effective resource allocation and strategic planning.
- Developed impactful and strategic partnerships with clients to attain their best development towards living their best life.
- Provided documentation of processes to comply with regulations and company policies.
- Worked closely with leadership to strategically affect operational direction.
- Delegated assignments based on plans, project needs and knowledge of individual team members.
- Help individuals who have diagnosis of intellectual disabilities, mental illness, brain injury, and other emotional, behavioral, and medical complexities, achieve their highest quality of life and personal growth.
- Provide essential services to Minnesota's most vulnerable residents.
- Assist individuals when needed in performance of their work, recreation, and activities of daily living.
- Lift, move, or position non-ambulatory or ambulatory individuals.
- Administer medications, implement instructions, and act accordingly as directed.
- Respond to medical emergencies, including first aid and CPR.
- Transport and accompany individuals to medical appointments, community outings, recreational activities, and spiritual events.
- Respond therapeutically to individuals with challenging behaviors.
Residential Treatment Counselor
Volunteers Of America, Minnesota Division
St Francis, Minnesota
11.1991 - 05.2006
- Addressed behavioral and emotional needs of residents through activities and interventions, increasing resident socialization, interpersonal and social skills.
- Delivered frequent summaries on resident progression and regression in treatment to provide recommendations towards treatment plan for success.
- Resolved conflicts by performing in-time crisis intervention and enforcing discipline and behavior metrics.
- Attended meetings to develop and implement individually tailored treatment plans to lead residents to successful reintegration into society.
- Assisted residents in adhering to treatment plans by setting up medical appointments, arranging transportation, coordinating services and providing emotional support.
- Supported residents in coping with emotions and fears through one-on-one sessions.
- Collaborated with various agencies and service providers to facilitate care coordination and information sharing.
- Communicated behavior choices to residents by outlining positive and negative consequences of choices.
- Engaged relationship intervention techniques to deescalate aggressive and hostile behavior of residents.
- Counseled 12 residents in group sessions to assist in overcoming dependencies and adjustments to life.
- Utilized windows to fill out and maintain federal and state-mandated forms, client diagnostic records, incident reports and progress notes.
- Observed and monitored client behavior and responses to treatment.
- Worked collaboratively with other mental health professionals to provide consistent care and minimize diversion.
- Consulted with other staff members regarding treatment plans as deemed appropriate by team leader.
- Displayed sensitivity to cultural and linguistic needs of clients and families served.
- Directed family-centered, strengths-based, culturally competent and individualized intakes and assessments.
- Offered and documented treatment consent forms in patient health records.
Paraprofessional Educator
St. Paul Public Schools
St Paul, Minnesota
09.1994 - 05.1998
- Provided support to help students with special needs learn and grow.
- Assisted teachers with classroom management and document coordination to maintain positive learning environment.
- Maintained inclusive learning environment to enable students to gain maximum benefit from lessons.
- Provided support during classes, group lessons and classroom activities.
- Monitored student classroom and outdoors activities to promote student safety.
- Supported student learning objectives through personalized and small group assistance.
- Documented student behaviors, interventions and outcomes to enable lead teacher to address pertinent issues.
- Delivered curriculum in both one-on-one lessons and group learning environments.
- Assessed student social, emotional and academic needs to plan goals appropriately.
- Kept classrooms clean, neat and properly sanitized for student health and classroom efficiency.
- Demonstrated knowledge of evidence-based strategies to foster independence and social academic engagement,
- Oversaw groups of students at school and off-site locations, maintaining optimal safety and security.
- Adhered to predetermined behavior and academic plans and collaborated on adjustments.
Education
Associate of Science - Certified Medical Assistant
11.1992
Bachelor of Arts - High School Teaching
Bachelor of Science - Physical Therapist
High School Diploma -
05.1989
Skills
- Decision-Making
- Flexible and Adaptable
- Active Listening
- Great Communication
- Analytical and Critical Thinking
- Client Confidentiality
- Crisis Situation Response
- Positive Feedback
- Oral and Writing Communication
- HIPAA Regulations
- Direct Supervision
- Project Requirements
- Creative Thinking
- Self Starter
Accomplishments
- Achieved efficient auditing of client financial accounts
- Collaborated with team of 10 in the development of client goals.
- Used Microsoft Excel to develop behavioral tracking spreadsheets.
- Certified Medical Assistant
Certification
CPR
First Aid
Certified Medical Assistant
Timeline
HST - State Of Minnesota
09.2006 - Current
Paraprofessional Educator - St. Paul Public Schools
09.1994 - 05.1998
Residential Treatment Counselor - Volunteers Of America, Minnesota Division
11.1991 - 05.2006
Globe College of Business - Associate of Science, Certified Medical Assistant
Northern State University - Bachelor of Arts, High School Teaching
University of Mary - Bachelor of Science, Physical Therapist
Frederick High School - High School Diploma,
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