Karen Dorsey
Columbia,MD
Summary
Positive nature with excellent people skills. Experienced nursing professional bringing demonstrated clinical expertise, leadership skills and technical knowledge. Proficient in updating charts, monitoring medications and working with multidisciplinary teams to optimize patient care. Quality-driven and efficient with strong interpersonal abilities.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Direct Support Manager
The Arc of Howard County
Howard, MD
11.2020 - Current
- Participated in program planning, focusing on goal setting and evaluation criteria.
- Managed acute and chronic illness through medication management and lifestyle modifications.
- Educated patients on proper nutrition, exercise routines, medication management, and lifestyle modifications.
- Collaborated with team members to develop strategies addressing client needs.
- Identified potential funding sources for various programs and activities.
- Assisted in budget development and monitored expenditures for compliance.
- Performed assessments of clients' progress towards established goals.
- Facilitated crisis intervention when necessary to support clients.
- Provided daily guidance to direct support staff to enhance service delivery.
- Served as liaison between clients, families, and stakeholders to improve communication.
HEALTH ASSISTANT
Howard County School System
Ellicott, MD
08.2019 - Current
- Responsible for students with Developmental Disabilities, Autism and other special needs related to medical and social emotional care.
- Apply clean dressings, slings, stockings, or support bandages, under direction of nurse or physician.
- Administer medications or treatments, such as catheterizations, suppositories, irrigations, enemas, massages, or douches, as directed by a physician or nurse.
- Clean and sanitize patient rooms, bathrooms, examination rooms, or other patient areas.
- Document or otherwise report observations of patient behavior, complaints, or physical symptoms to nurses.
- Record vital signs, such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse, or respiration rate, as directed by medical or nursing .
Intensive Individual Support Technician
Celebrate Ability
, MD
01.2023 - 07.2024
- Support clients in the home with activities of daily living and personal hygiene
- Assist clients with managing behaviors to improve communication and social interactions
- Promote skills that lead to improved quality of life and independence
- Follow treatment plan that addresses behavioral, educational, social, emotional, and physical needs
- Established behavioral modification goals and assessed progress toward goals.
Paraeducator
Howard County Schools
Ellicott City, MD
01.2014 - 08.2019
- Met one-on-one with autistic students and implemented targeted behavioral plans in the classroom.
- Reviewed class materials and discussed reading assignments, boosting comprehension with students that have developmental disabilities.
- Prepared handouts, study materials and other teaching aids.
- Conducted small group and individual classroom activities with students based on differentiated learning needs.
- Reviewed and evaluated programs for compliance with state, local and federal regulations.
- Supervised children and participated with children in activities.
- Assisting with teaching independence through daily ADL's as needed and permitted.
HEALTH COUNSELOR
Sheppard Pratt Health Systems
, MD
01.2016 - 03.2019
- Assist clients with managing behaviors to improve communication and social interactions.
- Support clients in the home with activities of daily living and personal hygiene
- Supported clients' social, physical and emotional needs to help integrate into local community.
- Planned and implemented individualized interventions as part of behavior treatment plans.
- Promote skills that lead to improved quality of life and independence
- Developed activity plans and instructional materials to assist with treatment.
DIRECT CARE MANAGER
The Arc Of The Chesapeake
Annapolis, MD
02.2006 - 12.2013
- Worked with severe Developmental disabilities, Autistic and behavioral student and adults.
- Teaching fundamentals needed to eventually thrive independently with minimal supports.
- Planned outings and vacations appropriate for individuals as needed.
- Fill out and maintain client-related paperwork, including federal- and state-mandated forms, client diagnostic records, and progress notes.
- Evaluate clients' physical or mental condition, based on review of client information.
- Collaborate with other Staff members to perform clinical assessments or develop treatment plans.
- Act as client advocates to coordinate required services or to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations.
- Managed several homes with different age groups.
- Supervise other counselors, social service Staff , assistants, or graduate students.
Certified Nursing Assistant/GNA
Riverview Nursing Home
Essex, MD
01.2001 - 08.2006
- Fostered relationships with patients, caregivers and healthcare teams to achieve individual care plan targets.
- Conducted routine checks on standard patient vitals, including blood pressure, blood sugar and heart rate.
- Exhibited compassionate care and communication regarding issues surrounding death and dying.
- Responded to patient alarms and needs-assessment requests to identify course of treatment.
- Maintained accurate, timely flow of information by completing thorough patient records and updating healthcare team on patient status.
- Documented patient intake and dietary requirements, also assisting with feeding and monitoring.
- Managed and maintained patient rooms, shared-living areas and nursing stations.
- Consulted with nurses to develop patient care plans and evaluate treatment options.
Certified Nursing Assistant
Belair Rehab Center
Belair, MD
03.1997 - 03.2000
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to provide high-quality patient care.
- Engaged with patient family and friends to provide courteous, efficient visit experience.
- Documented information in patient charts and communicated status updates to interdisciplinary care team.
- Used mobility devices and equipment to transport patients.
- Consulted with nurses to develop patient care plans and evaluate treatment options.
Education
N/A - Human Services
GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY
2019
Skills
- Organization and efficiency
- Multitasking and prioritization
- Tech-savvy
- Professional and polished presentation
Accomplishments
- Diligent professional with 20+ years of experience and a proven knowledge of patient relations.
- Aiming to leverage my skills to successfully ll the Health Assistant role at your company.
- Supply, collect, or empty bedpans.
- Transport patients to treatment units, testing units, operating rooms, or other areas, using wheelchairs, stretchers, or moveable beds.
- Turn or reposition bedridden patients.
- Undress, wash, and dress patients who are unable to do so for themselves.
- Exercise patients who are comatose, paralyzed, or have restricted mobility.
- Lift or assist others to lift patients to move them on or.
- Beds, examination tables, surgical tables, or stretchers.
References
REFERENCES
References available upon request
Timeline
Intensive Individual Support Technician
Celebrate Ability
01.2023 - 07.2024
Direct Support Manager
The Arc of Howard County
11.2020 - Current
HEALTH ASSISTANT
Howard County School System
08.2019 - Current
HEALTH COUNSELOR
Sheppard Pratt Health Systems
01.2016 - 03.2019
Paraeducator
Howard County Schools
01.2014 - 08.2019
DIRECT CARE MANAGER
The Arc Of The Chesapeake
02.2006 - 12.2013
Certified Nursing Assistant/GNA
Riverview Nursing Home
01.2001 - 08.2006
Certified Nursing Assistant
Belair Rehab Center
03.1997 - 03.2000
N/A - Human Services
GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY
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