Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Maeve Thornton

Rancho Santa Margarita,CA

Summary

Poised recreational therapist professionally talented in leading wide variety of therapeutic leisure activities to support growth and healthy living in persons with limited abilities and particular needs. Productive in formulating program activities focused on supporting participants' mental and physical health. Adaptable in adjusting programming to suit personal interests, capabilities and health needs to propel healthy living, independence and goal-achievement.

Overview

44
44
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Activities Coordinator

The Orchard’s Health Center F/T
11.2020 - Current
  • Okay to contact this Supervisor: No, currently working 22 Employee of the quarter
  • Plan ,implemented group and individual activity programs, and calendar program, for assisted living residents
  • Training weekend staff and new staff as needed
  • Monthly implemented programs: Men’s Club, Ladies Club, Bridge Club
  • Kentucky Derby Celebration, and implemented the Love on Leach, Introduced my Sensory Stimulation Program I designed Recruit volunteers into the activities program Plan, Implement, weekly individual Catholic , non-denominational and Jewish faith programs for skilled nursing unit, and weekly for Assisted Living and Memory Care residents
  • Assist in memory care unit and skilled nursing unit as needed

Activities Assistant

11.2021 - 04.2022
  • Hours per week: 40 hours Plan, implemented group and individual activity programs and calendar program For the Memory Care Unit
  • Implemented group and individual activity programs for skilled nursing unit on the weekend as needed
  • Plan the weekend calendar program for skilled nursing unit, weekends
  • Monthly implemented programs: Gardening Club, Cooking Club, Men’s Club, Drum Fitness, Best Friends, Kentucky Derby Celebration, and implemented the Love on Leash
  • Introduced my Sensory Stimulation Program I designed
  • Recruit volunteers into the activities program
  • Plan, implement, weekly individual Catholic faith program for skilled nursing unit, and weekly group Catholic faith program for Assisted Living and Memory Care residents
  • Assisted other faiths with weekly virtual Church services
  • Complete required documentation and in- service training
  • Server Hours per week: 16
  • Customers servicers to residents and employees
  • I take orders and provide service to all residents provide required items both graciously and courteously
  • Excellent table service within the community dining room

Reata Glen, Las Estrellas Loop
04.2019 - 11.2020
  • Hours per week: 40
  • Server
  • Awarded by Marketing Department excellent employee delivery service 9/20
  • Excellent customer service to residents and employees
  • Serve 60 Employees their daily lunches in a safe environment
  • Interface with Chefs, cooks, director, and managers
  • Set -up, prepare, and clean-up Employee Lounge and Catalina Hall
  • Maintain workstation, cleanliness, proper order
  • Successfully coordinating weekly volunteer assignments
  • Muti- tasking by assisting with various different duties within
  • And outside the department
  • Food safety/handling and complying with all state regulations
  • Train several new hires the employee Lounge operation
  • Continuous education for Food /safety electives, relies training and in-service

Recreation Therapist

Department of Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center
11.2013 - 11.2018

Supervisor

SCI
  • Kelli Palaszewski (858) 642-3163, UNIT- Diagnosis which includes: spinal cord injury, amputation, head injury, paralysis, and multiple diagnosis
  • Okay to contact this Supervisor: Yes
  • Assisting with National Veteran’s Summer Sports Clinics, Coronado Island cycling venue
  • Assisted with Bear Mountain Winter Ski Trip- community reintegration
  • Individual bedside socialization visits
  • Work as part of a treatment team giving and receiving vital information for patient treatment
  • Assist with outings for community reintegration
  • Perform regular assessments, evaluations and treatment plans
  • Implement therapy activities; developing intermediate and long - term goals and objectives, Kelli Kaliszewski (858) 642-3163, UNIT- Diagnosis which includes: spinal cord injury, amputation, head injury, paralysis, and multiple diagnosis
  • Okay to contact this Supervisor: Yes
  • Assisting with National Veteran’s Summer Sports Clinics, Coronado Island cycling venue
  • Assisted with Bear Mountain Winter Ski Trip- community reintegration
  • Individual bedside socialization visits
  • Work as part of a treatment team giving and receiving vital information for patient treatment
  • Assist with outings for community reintegration
  • Perform regular assessments, evaluations and treatment plans
  • Implement therapy activities; developing intermediate and long-term goals and objectives

Senior Caregiver Supervisor

Home Instead, Parkway
01.2016 - 12.2018
  • Wendy Shapiro (949) 347-6767
  • Okay to contact this Supervisor: Yes
  • Employee of the month May, 2018
  • Provide care to male and female clients with various disabilities, including dementia and Alzheimer’s
  • Took vitals, provide medication reminders and assistance when necessary
  • Assist in leisure time activities of choice: walking, music and games
  • Provide transportation for activities: church, grocery store, medical appointments, and errands
  • Light housekeeping and laundry
  • Provide personal care as needed and prepare nutritional meals

Caregiver Supervisor

Private Residence, 26901
04.2012 - 12.2016
  • Owen Butler no longer available
  • Okay to contact this Supervisor: No
  • Assessed client’s visual needs related to recreation
  • Ordered enlarged keyboard, high powered lamp, magnifier, pebble portable device, and enlarged reading machine
  • Provided transportation for activities: church, grocery store, medical appointments, and errands
  • Light housekeeping and laundry
  • Provided personal care as needed and prepare nutritional meals
  • Set-up of filing system, assisted with mail and auto pay system for bill payment

Caregiver Supervisor

Private Residence
03.2011 - 05.2014
  • Thomas Thornton
  • Okay to contact this Supervisor: No
  • Assessed client’s needs
  • Provided transportation for activities: grocery store, medical appointments, and errands
  • Light housekeeping and laundry
  • Provided personal care as needed and prepared nutritional meals
  • Monitored medication and reported changes to medical tea

Recreation Therapist

Department of Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center
09.2007 - 09.2008

Activity Assistant

Silverado Senior Living, 30311 Camino Capistrano
06.2006 - 03.2011
  • US Hours per week: 40Alzheimer’s/dementia residents

Supervisor

Linda Szemenyei
  • (retired) (949) 240-0550
  • Okay to contact this Supervisor: No
  • Employee of the month 10/06
  • Designed, developed and implemented a small sensory stimulation program for 40 middle to late-stage Alzheimer’s/dementia residents
  • Instructed and trained the activity director and activity assistants in the sensory stimulation program at Newport Mesa Community in September, 2008
  • Lead ¾ small and large activity groups daily: karaoke, exercise to music, golf, matinee, religious services, men’s club, pet therapy, red hat tea, board/card games, bingo, creative storytelling, and 1:1
  • I designed and implemented an innovate Club and the Veterans were specially honored on Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day
  • Weekend special parties: Super Bowl, and Kentucky Derby parties Developed a Creative Pet Therapy Club with residents at different levels of functioning incorporating family member and their animals (pig, dogs, cats, guinea pigs, a chinchilla rabbit, rabbits, and birds – parakeet’s)
  • The youth enhanced the activities program showing compassion and using their gifts and talents to make the residents happy

VOLUNTEER

City of San Diego, Therapeutic Recreation Services
03.2010 - 09.2010
  • Assist Therapeutic Recreation Specialist in planning, organizing, conducting, and evaluating various programs
  • CTRS: Responsible for assisting staff in conducting assessments, planning, and implementing, interventions, documenting clients programs, final evaluations, and recommendations
  • Completed 2 case studies working one on one with adults with mental illness and substance abuse issues; Planned, and conducted craft activities at two adaptive summer camps serving over 150 children and adults with various disabilities; Planned, and implemented four art classes for adults with developmental disabilities and mental health disorders; assisted with public relations and community outreach, customer service, & maintaining equipment and supplies.

RECREATION THERAPIST

Boys and Girls Mental Health Center
08.1989 - 01.1990
  • POPULATION: 6 -18 years old emotionally disturbed/abused children and adolescents in residential care and group homes
  • DUTIES: I completed assessments, treatment plans, implemented interventions, evaluated outcomes while leading recreation therapy programs
  • I also worked with treatment team.

RECREATION THERAPIST INTERN, San Diego Center for Children
01.1989 - 05.1989
  • Led 2 activity programs daily and developed a leisure discharge packet for the agency
  • Assignments: planned, led, and evaluated a special event, arts and crafts demonstration, and presented a case study.

THERAPY TECHNICIAN

Olive View Medical Center
06.1987 - 09.1987
  • POPULATION: Pediatrics - diagnoses of failure to thrive, orthopedic, emotionally disturbed, and learning disabilities
  • DUTIES: Completed attendance, and treatment plans
  • POPULATION: Adults – diagnoses of CVA, arthritis, mental illness, and substance abuse
  • DUTIES: I implemented interventions, led leisure activities and relaxation techniques for therapy sessions.

TR Student Volunteer

American Hospital
05.1987
  • POPULATION: Substance abuse Adults
  • Assignment: 11 TR Students and I developed, planned, implemented, and evaluated a three day cruise.

TR Student Volunteer

San Fernando Child Guidance Center
02.1987 - 05.1987
  • POPULATION: 7-18 years old emotionally disturbed/learning disabled youth
  • Assignments: I planned, implemented, and led a fine motor activity to promote creativity, imagination and age-appropriate behavior during an activity
  • I planned, implemented, and led a physical activity to improve existing fine and gross motor skills.

Occupational Therapy Aide

Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center
01.1980 - 01.1982
  • Mental Illness and Physical Disabilities
  • DUTIES: I assisted an Occupational Therapist for 6 months with recreation activities on a secured unit adults with mental illness
  • I also assisted an Occupational Therapist with treatment in the OT clinic with adults and elderly with various physical disabilities.

Education

B.S - Recreation

California State University
Northridge, CA

Skills

  • Orchards computerized point clink care system
  • Interdisciplinary discharge summary reports
  • Admissions/evaluations
  • VA computerized system evaluations

Certification

Nationally and California State Certified: Recreation Therapist BLS (CPR, AED) Certified CPRS 2026, RTC 6/30/2024, English Spoken: Advanced Written: Advanced Read: Advanced

Timeline

Activities Assistant

11.2021 - 04.2022

Activities Coordinator

The Orchard’s Health Center F/T
11.2020 - Current

Reata Glen, Las Estrellas Loop
04.2019 - 11.2020

Senior Caregiver Supervisor

Home Instead, Parkway
01.2016 - 12.2018

Recreation Therapist

Department of Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center
11.2013 - 11.2018

Caregiver Supervisor

Private Residence, 26901
04.2012 - 12.2016

Caregiver Supervisor

Private Residence
03.2011 - 05.2014

VOLUNTEER

City of San Diego, Therapeutic Recreation Services
03.2010 - 09.2010

Recreation Therapist

Department of Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center
09.2007 - 09.2008

Activity Assistant

Silverado Senior Living, 30311 Camino Capistrano
06.2006 - 03.2011

RECREATION THERAPIST

Boys and Girls Mental Health Center
08.1989 - 01.1990

RECREATION THERAPIST INTERN, San Diego Center for Children
01.1989 - 05.1989

THERAPY TECHNICIAN

Olive View Medical Center
06.1987 - 09.1987

TR Student Volunteer

American Hospital
05.1987

TR Student Volunteer

San Fernando Child Guidance Center
02.1987 - 05.1987

Occupational Therapy Aide

Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center
01.1980 - 01.1982

Supervisor

SCI

Supervisor

Linda Szemenyei

B.S - Recreation

California State University
Maeve Thornton