Summary

Overview

Work History

Education

Skills

Affiliations

Certification

Timeline

Kelly Allen

Grand Rapids,MI

Summary

I am a compassionate and driven Occupational Therapist with strong interpersonal skills, creative thinking abilities, and problem-solving skills. My experience working with clients with Autism, Developmental Disabilities, and a range of physical and mental health challenges aligns closely with my personal values of serving others and celebrating strengths over weaknesses. I take pride in my ability to learn quickly, communicate effectively, and solve problems with out-of-the-box strategies when needed. I enjoy working collaboratively and independently to help others to achieve their goals and live their best lives.

Overview

years of professional experience

Certification

Work History

Occupational Therapist

The Right Door For Hope, Recovery, And Wellness

10.2021 - Current

Provide occupational therapy services to pediatric and adult Medicaid recipients in Ionia county with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities to obtain/restore Activities of Daily Living Skills, mobility, communication and self-regulation skills.
Develop and implement skilled interventions for clients with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, ADHD, Depression, Schizophrenia, Major Depressive Disorder, genetic disorders, Down Syndrome, Dementia, Genetic Disorders, and Cognitive Impairments with a focus on Sensory Integration and motor skill development.
Conduct evaluations with clients in the home and clinic environments, with data collection collected via record review, client/caregiver interviews, direct observation, and administration of several different assessments, including Sensory Profiles, Motor Assessment Battery for Children, Roll Evaluation of Activities of Daily Living Skills, and Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist.
Develop client-centered treatment plans with goals and objectives to address sensory and motor concerns in accordance with individualized Person-Centered Plans.
Obtain necessary Durable Medical Equipment and Sensory Equipment for clients as needed with Medicaid funds.
Established compassionate and caring relationships with patients.
Write letters of medical necessity, research and preparing lists of comparable equipment items for cost-effective spending.
Fill out prescriptions to be signed by primary care physicians and case managers.
Provide ongoing training and education to consumers, parents/caregivers and CLS workers, in the home/AFC home, regarding the implications of the consumer’s diagnoses, and specific strategies to improve safety, mobility, communication and cares related to hygiene, feeding, and sleep, with or without the use of Durable Medical Equipment and/or Sensory Equipment.
Obtain Sensory Equipment for the Sensory gym at the ABA clinic and train staff on proper use for supporting self-regulation skills through regular training sessions with agency funds as approved by the CEO.
Develop and present teaching materials for parents/caregivers, adult consumers, and clinicians to educate them on occupational therapy services, Sensory Processing Disorder, and treatment strategies, including handouts, PowerPoint presentations, and video presentations.
Collaborate with a team of Board Certified Behavioral Analysts, Behavioral Technicians, Social Workers, Outpatient Mental Health Counselors, Nurses, and Psychiatrists to meet the needs of persons served.
Write detailed, daily progress notes to document the intervention strategies used with each client in accordance with their occupational therapy goals.
Create and use spreadsheets and documents to track information and due dates for items including mileage, expenses, consumers’ OT prescriptions, evaluations/reevaluations and ongoing responsibilities.
Participate in ongoing training to continually develop skills through certified, online and in-person trainings to obtain Continuing Education Units as required to maintain licensure in accordance with LARA, American Occupational Therapy Association, and National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.
Participate in weekly and monthly meetings and trainings with supervisor, clinicians, and full-staff meetings to improve skills and receive necessary information regarding policies and procedures for the agency.
Create group activities for young adults with Autism to promote social interaction skills and develop leisure skills.
Travel to individual homes and AFC homes to provide skilled intervention.

Occupational Therapist

Legacy Healthcare

01.2021 - 10.2021

Provided skilled occupational therapy interventions and treatments for elderly adults experiencing physical, physiological, emotional, and social challenges related to various pathologies associated with the aging process, supporting health, safety and maintaining necessary skills for daily living.
Provided interventions and treatments to improve patient abilities to perform daily activities, manage symptoms and prevent injury.
Developed and lead group activities for strength, endurance, and stress relief.
Provided staff and resident education for falls prevention, maintaining wellness, communication and management strategies for cognitive impairments.
Conducted skilled occupational therapy evaluations and developed treatment plans in accordance with patient needs.
Consulted with direct-care staff to implement best methods to achieve therapy goals.
Established compassionate and caring relationships with patients.
Recommended equipment to use in-home to maximize opportunities for wellness.
Performed assessments during treatment to determine progress according to goals.
Meticulously reviewed records and referrals to determine and implement best treatment methods.

Pediatric Occupational Therapist

Family Tree Therapies

01.2020 - 01.2021

Provided treatment rooted in a neurological developmental framework to increase fine and gross motor skills, vision and visual processing skills, coordination, increase strength, endurance, tone and postural control for engaging in school and play activities to a caseload of over 30 clients.
Employed manual techniques to support primary reflex integration for emotional regulation and physical development.
Utilized mental health interventions including Social Thinking Strategies, and evidence-based DIRFloortime program, used for clients with ASD and communication challenges to develop client-centered engagement, increasing communication, rapport, and safe interaction skills.
Provided Sensory integration techniques to support regulation and self-feeding issues.
Provided parent education to support clients’ behavioral and physical challenges with sensory integration strategies, basic manual techniques for sensory integration, home exercise programs, and home adaptations for increased safety.
Received specialized training for parent communication for diffusing aggressive, violent behaviors at home.
Received and utilized specialized training for treatment of clients with ASD.
Administered various pediatric sensory and motor assessments.
Utilized Fusion EMR software for documentation including daily SOAP notes, initial evaluations, reevaluations, goal-writing, goal-tracking, and discharge summaries.

Level II Fieldwork MSOT Student

Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital

09.2019 - 12.2019

Performed intake interviews, led and engaged in Psychosocial Rehabilitation Classes and activities including teaching art and craft techniques to patients, sports, exercise, dance, work duties, and social engagement activities.
Utilized database and EMR for updating client progress, engaged in team treatment meetings to assess patients’ level of safety and improvement.
Developed and led on-unit activities to support physical, emotional, and psychological well-being for patients with developmental delay and geriatric patients.
Received training and implementation of Tinetti Balance Assessment, proper use of gait belt for transfers, wheelchairs.

Level II Fieldwork MSOT Student

Family Tree Therapies

06.2019 - 09.2019

Provided initial evaluations, assessments, developed and tracked goals, and provided treatment interventions for pediatric clients with a range of developmental, physical, emotional, and behavioral challenges, with special training focused around neurological bases for impaired development, sensory challenges, tone, coordination, and emotional regulation
Provided interventions to increase motor skills, coordination, strength and endurance, mental health interventions, sensory integration techniques to reduce tactile defensiveness and self-feeding issues, handwriting-focused strategies, and parent education related to dyspraxia, low tone, fine motor skills, sensory processing disorder, and Autism.
Developed client goals, produced SOAP notes, progress notes, and HEP/sensory diets for use at home.
Created a sensory pathway for the clinic as an intervention strategy, incorporating movement patterns to support visual motor, bilateral integration, postural control, and coordination skills.

Level I Fieldwork MSOT Student

Region 1 Transition Services, Kent County School District

09.2018 - 12.2018

Provided interventions for young adult students with special needs as part of the Kent County School District. Focused on increasing social interaction skills, ADLs, IADLs, employment, and community involvement to support attainment of IEP transition goals.
Provided evaluations including Model of Human Occupation Screening Tool (MOHOST), ROM, MMT, Vision screens, and Clinical observations through individual and group tasks to assess areas of dysfunction in the areas of psychosocial, emotional, and cognitive functioning.
Developed occupational profile and engaged in goal-writing, SOAP notes and discharge notes.

Level I Fieldwork MSOT Student

Western Michigan University-Calvin College Pediatric Clinic

06.2018 - 12.2018

Performed intake interviews, evaluations and assessments for motor proficiency, sensory processing challenges, and vision
Provided interventions to increase motor skills, coordination, strength and endurance, mental health interventions, sensory integration techniques, and parent education
Developed client goals, produced SOAP notes, progress notes, and HEP/sensory diets for use at home.

Startup Founder, Teacher, Volunteer Coordinator

WiseMaker Creative Reuse Center

06.2014 - 09.2015

Created organization's mission and vision statements for use by volunteers.
Developed strong partnerships with other businesses to obtain clean, discarded, high-quality materials for sale and use including leather, upholstery fabric, foam, plastic, and wood.
Recruited a team of volunteers of all ages and abilities to engage in daily operations including sorting, pricing, and organizing items for sale.
Collaborated with local arts organizations to provide excess materials for use in art workshops.
Developed and taught dozens of art workshops for children and adults with a variety of skill levels.
Participated in television, local media outlet, and documentary interviews to promote the center and the goal of environmental responsibility.
Developed and carried out a Creative Reuse Parade with dozens of participants at the Grand Rapids Public Museum.

Education

No Degree - General Education

Grand Rapids Community College

Grand Rapids, MI

Master of Science - Occupational Therapy

Western Michigan University

Grand Rapids

12.2019

Master of Arts -

Kendall College of Art And Design of Ferris State

Grand Rapids, MI

12.2008

Bachelor of Arts - Painting

Humboldt State University

Arcata, CA

05.2003

Skills

EMR / EHR
Clinical Training
Intervention Planning
Workflow Planning
Patient Needs Assessment
Goal setting experience
Progress Monitoring

Treatment implementation
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Patient evaluations
Documentation skills
Family and patient education
Discharge Planning

Affiliations

American Occupational Therapy Association

Michigan Occupational Therapy Association

Certification

· National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, INC

Occupational Therapy Registered OTR [Certification # 435786]

· Michigan Board of Occupational Therapy [License # 5201010903]

· Basic Life Support for the Healthcare Provider

American Heart Association

June 2019 - June 2021

· Mental Health First Aid USA, National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare, Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital at CHHS at Western Michigan University

June 2019-June 2022

· HIPAA and Bloodborne Pathogens Training Online Certification Western Michigan University, Grand Rapids, MI

May 2019

· Human Subject Research Training Certification, Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative, Online, Western Michigan University, Grand Rapids, MI

April 2017

SPECIAL TRAINING

Oct 2022 2022 International DIRFloortime Conference, ICDL Inc., Live Online Webinar, 7.5 CEUs

Sept 2022 The Impact of Child Trauma on Sensory Processing: Creating a Supportive Response for Children with Sensory Modulation Disorders: Concepts and Tools, Dr. Ben Atchison, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA Online Webinar 3 Training Hours

May 2022 ASIST- Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, Living Works, The Right Door for Hope Recovery and Wellness, Ionia, MI 12 Contact hours

Feb 2022 Understanding Human Trafficking, Relias, Online Webinar, 1 Training Hour

Dec 2021 OBRA – PASARR, Improving Practices, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Online Webinar, 3 Training Hours

Oct 2021 Creating Cultures of Trauma-Informed Care, Improving Practices, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Online Webinar, 1.5 Contact Hours

Aug 2021 Concepts with Biophysical Agents: Electrotherapy and Ultrasound, Shane Malecha, PT, SPR, MA, CLR, CDP, PES, CSCS, Live Online Webinar, 3 Contact Hours

June 2021 Contracture Etiology, John Kenney, BOCO and Steve Zimmerle, PTA,

1 CEU

Understanding Cognition Part 1: A Foundation, Mark Cifarelli, C. Ann Irwin, M.S., CCC-SLP, Legacy Healthcare Services, 1.5 Contact Hours

Understanding Cognition Part 2: Tools and Techniques, Monica Warmoth, MOT/OTR, ATP, Legacy Healthcare Services, 2.5 Contact Hours

Understanding Cognition Part 3: Treatment Approaches, Meredith Brunk, MS, OTR/L, Legacy Healthcare Services, 2 Contact Hours

March 2021 MNRI Dynamic and Postural Reflex Integration, Svetlana Masgutova Educational Institute, Online Webinar, 32 Credit Hours, 3.2 CEUs

Jan 2021 Applying Evidence in Mental Health Settings, AOTA, Online Webinar,

1 contact hour

July 2020 DIR 101: An Introduction to DIR and DIRFloortime, Online Webinar, 12 CEUs

Dec 2019 Interprofessional Peer Education and Evidence for Recovery Program (I-PEER), Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI

Nov 2019 A History of Recovery with Manifestations of Race, Gender, and Ethnicity

By: Steve Love, MPA, LMSW and Sean Harris, PhD, LBSW,

Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, 2 Contact Hours

Nov 2019 Motivational Interviewing for Adolescents and Emerging Adults, by Jennifer Harrison, PhD, LMSW, CAADC, Western Michigan University,

Kalamazoo, MI, 2 Contact Hours

Oct 2019 Recovery-Based Peer Services, By Rosie Corliss, CPSS, RC, Patricia Perez, CPSS, RC, and Shareé Niblack, Western Michigan University,

Kalamazoo, MI, 2 Contact Hours

Oct 2019 Barbara A. Rider Colloquium Poster Presentation and Speaker, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI

Sept 2019 Goal Attainment Scaling: How to Establish and Measure Individualized Outcomes, by Ann Chapleau, DHS, OTRL, 2 Contact Hours

Oct 2018 Barbara A. Rider Colloquium Participant, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI

June 2019 Global Recovery: Constructs and Documentation, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, 7 Contact Hours

May 2019 Human Trafficking and Recovery, by Deborah Monroe, CPSS and Meg Hughey, LMSW, 7 Contact Hours

Jan 2018 Human Trafficking Continuing Education Unit, Therapists Training Therapists, Grand Rapids, MI, 1 Contact Hour

Sept 2018 Management of the Frozen Shoulder, Therapists Training Therapists Grand Rapids, MI, 1 Contact Hour

Sept 2018 Pain: Assessment & Management, Therapists Training Therapists Grand Rapids, MI, 1 Contact Hour

Oct 2018 Alzheimer’s Association Online Couse: The Basics: Memory Loss, Dementia, and Alzheimer’s Disease, Grand Rapids, MI, .75 CEU Hours

Oct 2018 Alzheimer’s Association Online Couse: Effective Communication Strategies, Grand Rapids, MI, 0.5 CEU Hours

Oct 2018 Alzheimer’s Association Online Couse: Understanding and Responding to Dementia-Related Behavior, Grand Rapids, MI, 0.75 Hours