Jessica Horton
Mongaup Valley,NY
Summary
Committed and compassionate Developmental Assistant 1 with 15+ years of performance supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities. Personal background, my parents were Family Care Providers for 3 individuals that they supported/assisted who lived in our home as a grew up. I interact with individuals in diverse settings, including, community, family, and adult care facilities. Focused on maintaining client safety, comfort, and assisting each person to thrive and improve their wellbeing with individualized person centered care. Professional and clear communicator when assisting individuals, training and assisting staff, as well as when reporting information to supervisors and clinical team. I continue to support the individuals and staff at Isabella IRA and strive to maintain safe, well supplied, encouraging environment for all.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
DA1
Broome OPWDD
08.2023 - Current
- Organizing schedules in house and maintaining shift coverage for county, when needed, to meet needs of each house.
- Providing leadership, insight, and mentoring to newly hired employees and fellow coworkers/team members to supply knowledge of the agencies programs, sight specific routines, and sight specific knowledge/information regarding the individuals we serve.
- Mentored staff to enhance skills and achieve daily targets, using hands-on and motivational leadership.
- Assisted DA2 in evaluating employee performance and cultivating improvement initiatives.
- Ensuring employee's have safe environment, tools, and supplies necessary to carry out their roles and duties as DSP efficiently to provide safe and caring environment .
- Lead by example to promote good habits and safe practices.
- Insuring employee's times are submitted on time and trainings are up to date.
- Working together with clinical staff and team members to maintain communication on changes in individual's health, behavior, and mental health to insure individual comfort and wellbeing.
- Maintaining positive relationships with individuals with conversation and activities to provide emotional support and self-confidence
- Keeping informed in changes with individuals plans to maintain health and safety, and insure fellow employees are informed as well.
DSP
Broome OPWDD
03.2008 - 08.2023
- PPE ordering, TABS system, purchase requests, acquiring quotes for contractors/vendors, and ordering/shopping for groceries- are some additional responsibilities trained in as DSP.
- Complied with company policies, objectives and communication goals.
- Implemented individual support plans & behavior support plans to meet individuals needs
- Monitored individuals for changes in health/behavior to document and report changes to the team.
- Administering medications in alignment with EMAR and doctor's orders -current/updated orders. Keeping up to date with Plan of Nursing Services.
- Following individual meal/food/drink preparation according to dietary and consistency needs.
- Scheduling and Transporting individuals to medical/dental appointments. Communicating with their team, advocating for individual and documenting as needed and appropriately.
- Hospital duty- providing emotional support, advocating for individual during hospital stay, documenting appropriately, and communicating with their team.
- Maintaining clean, safe, and well-organized living environment, notifying supervisors of facility maintenance or repair work.
- Empowered individuals to participate community outings, recreational and leisure activities to promote social interactions.
- Advocate, encourage, guide, and teach individuals in expressing personal choice, wants, and needs.
- Shopping with/for individuals for holiday celebrations, birthdays, personal items, and clothing needs.
Respite Care Provider
Broome OPWDD
06.2007 - 06.2012
- Maintained safe and clean patient environment to promote wellness and comfortable environment.
- Observed individual's self-administration of medications and assisted individuals with administration of medication to adhere to medication regimen.
- Cooked healthy, balanced meals and provided snacks to meet individual dietary needs.
- Assisted individuals with bathing and dressing to promote good personal hygiene.
- Positioned and turned individuals for maximum comfort and to prevent bedsores.
- Engaged with individuals in conversation and activities to provide emotional support.
- Performed first-aid and special assistance during emergency situations.
- Performed routine housekeeping duties for patients.
- Adhered carefully to care plans to prevent unnecessary disruptions to routines.
- Maintained progress notes reflecting goals, activities, and observations.
- Provided respite for Family Care Members.
Education
Construction Technology -
Sullivan County BOCES, United States
06.2006
High School Diploma -
Roscoe Central School
Roscoe, United States06.2006
Skills
- Employee Coaching, Motivation, and Development
- Scheduling and Coordinating
- Documentation and Reporting
- Team Collaboration and Team Building
- Problem Resolution
- Providing Emotional Support for the people we serve and staff alike
- Advocating for the people we serve
- Cooking and meal preparation
- Support Plan Management
- Flexible and Adaptable
Timeline
DA1
Broome OPWDD
08.2023 - Current
DSP
Broome OPWDD
03.2008 - 08.2023
Respite Care Provider
Broome OPWDD
06.2007 - 06.2012
Construction Technology -
Sullivan County BOCES, United States
High School Diploma -
Roscoe Central School