Kyndel Catchins
Summary
Compassionate and patient-focused Lead Direct Support Professional with hands-on experience in providing care, guidance, and assistance to individuals with disabilities. Strong expertise in developing individualized support plans, fostering independence, and coordinating with multi-disciplinary teams. Proven record of success managing crises situations, ensuring safety and maintaining an empowering environment for clients.
Reliable Direct Care Worker offering exceptional care in home environments. Passionate about supporting patient progress by monitoring medication reactions, observing behaviors and teaching healthy habits. Dedicated to patient safety, wellness, and happiness.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead DSP
Cornservice
Joliet, Illinois
02.2025 - Current
- Supervised daily activities of support staff and clients in community settings.
- Developed and implemented individualized care plans for diverse client needs.
- Facilitated communication between clients, families, and healthcare professionals.
- Advocated for client rights and preferences in various settings.
- Encouraged independence among clients while promoting their self-advocacy skills.
- Organized special events such as birthday parties or holiday celebrations for clients.
- Provided crisis intervention during emergency situations and de-escalated difficult behaviors when needed.
- Assisted clients with developing social skills by engaging them in community activities such as volunteering or recreational outings.
- Supervised medication administration according to prescribed instructions from a physician or nurse practitioner.
- Provided direct support to clients in activities of daily living such as hygiene, meal preparation, and housekeeping.
- Maintained clean and well-organized environment for client happiness and safety.
- Documented current patient information to update vital signs, behaviors, and eating habits.
- Accompanied or transported clients to appointments, errands and social activities.
Mental Health Technician II
Department of Human Services
Kankakee, IL
06.2013 - 08.2023
- Actively participated in continuing education programs related to mental health care delivery.
- Instructed new employees on protocols to use when interacting with psychiatric patients.
- Maintained accurate records regarding treatments provided, medication administration and patient progress notes.
- Assisted psychiatrists in working with patients to rehabilitate for community reintegration.
- Contacted patients' relatives to coordinate family visits and conferences.
- Collaborated with other healthcare professionals such as social workers, psychiatrists, counselors and nurses to coordinate quality care for each client.
- Documented patient interactions in compliance with HIPAA requirements.
- Observed and documented changes in patient behavior and reported any significant changes to the clinical team.
- Provided psychiatric or personal care to emotionally disturbed or cognitively impaired patients.
- Encouraged positive behaviors through rewards systems when appropriate.
- Accompanied patients to medical and counseling appointments.
- Recorded patients' health metrics using thermometers or blood pressure gauges.
- Monitored patients' well-being and reported changes or unusual behavior or physical illness to medical staff.
- Participated in treatment planning by helping to identify patients' problems, needs and strengths.
- Collaborated with client and clinician to develop and support goals and clinical treatment plan.
- Engaged clients in therapeutic groups to promote coping skills, education and life skills.
- Established trusting relationships with clients by demonstrating empathy and understanding towards them.
- Ensured safety of all clients through continuous observation and monitoring during shift hours.
- Created activities that promoted physical wellness, emotional stability, cognitive functioning, independent living skills and social interaction among patients.
- Influenced patients' behavior with interaction, counseling or instruction.
- Supported clients in developing daily living skills such as budgeting money or time management.
- Aided patients in performing activities of daily living.
- Supervised visitors entering the facility according to established security protocols.
- Assisted in the development of individualized treatment plans for patients.
- Assisted in transporting clients to appointments outside the facility when necessary.
- Assisted patients improve social relationships and engagement.
- Provided crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques to help manage patient behavior.
- Tracked client movement on and off unit by documenting times and destinations.
- Provided direct care and support to individuals with mental health challenges.
- Assisted in developing and implementing individualized treatment plans for clients.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to coordinate patient care services.
- Monitored patient behavior and reported observations to the healthcare team.
- Educated clients on coping strategies and resources available within the community.
- Monitored vital signs, including pulse, respiration and temperature, of psychiatric patients.
- Documented observations, interventions and concerns in patient charts and electronic systems, sustaining continuum of care from admission through to discharge.
Education
High School Diploma -
Jolier West
Joliet, ILSkills
- Record keeping
- Patient Safety Management
- Excellent Customer Service Skills
- Clinical Documentation
- Behavior Management
- Charting and Clinical Documentation
- Progress Monitoring
- Behavior Observation
- Crisis Management
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Developmental Disability Rehabilitation
- Behavioral Support
- Behavioral Health
Timeline
Lead DSP
Cornservice
02.2025 - Current
Mental Health Technician II
Department of Human Services
06.2013 - 08.2023
High School Diploma -
Jolier West