Makenzie Thennis
Helena,MT
Summary
Dedicated Direct Support Professional with 3+ years of experience in high-behavioral residential settings. Skilled in hands-on caregiving, crisis intervention, and individualized care planning. Former Assistant Program Manager equipped with staff support, medical coordination, and quality-of-care maintenance expertise. Actively pursuing a Nursing Assistant position while completing CNA certification.
Overview
1
1
Certification
2
2
years of professional experience
Work History
Direct Support Professional
Benchmark Human Services
Helena, MT
08.2026 - Current
- Provide direct, hands-on support to individuals with significant behavioral, developmental, and/or physical support needs in a residential group-home setting.
- Assist individuals with daily living activities, personal routines, safety, and maintaining their independence and dignity.
- Follow individualized care plans and behavior-support plans while adapting care to each individual’s needs and abilities.
- Utilize trained crisis prevention and de-escalation techniques when individuals experience behavioral escalation or emotional distress.
- Maintain a safe environment during high-risk behavioral situations while remaining calm and professional under pressure.
- Monitored changes in behavior, mood, physical condition, and overall functioning, communicating concerns to ensure timely intervention.
- Provide medication support according to individualized plans, training, and established procedures.
- Provided emotional support, reassurance, and companionship, fostering a trusting relationship to enhance client well-being.
- Supported clients during community activities and outings, encouraging independence and promoting positive social interactions.
- Completed documentation accurately and timely documentation regarding behaviors, incidents, medications, daily activities, and changes in client condition.
- Maintain confidentiality and protect sensitive personal and medical information.
- Work independently while maintaining communication with supervisors and following established care and safety procedures.
Assistant Program Manager
West Mont Non profit
Helena, MT
06.2025 - 04.2026
- Assisted with daily operations of a residential group home supporting individuals with developmental and physical disabilities.
- Supervised and supported direct-care staff, including scheduling, training, and maintaining quality-of-care standards.
- Coordinated medications, medical appointments, transportation, and communication between residents, families, guardians, and healthcare providers.
- Coordinated medications, medical appointments, and transportation while facilitating communication among residents, families, guardians, and healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive care.
- Supervised direct-care staff by scheduling shifts, providing training, and enforcing quality-of-care standards to enhance service delivery.
- Responded professionally to behavioral and medical crises while prioritizing resident and staff safety.
- Utilized behavior-support and de-escalation techniques to address challenging behaviors.
- Ensured residents’ rights were upheld to enhance their dignity and independence. and community inclusion, promoting dignity and independence through tailored support strategies.
- Built positive working relationships with residents, families, guardians, healthcare providers, staff, and outside agencies.
Direct Support Professional
West Mont Non Profit
Helena, MT
05.2024 - 06.2025
- Provided compassionate, hands-on support to individuals with developmental and physical disabilities while promoting dignity, independence, safety, and quality of life.
- Assisted individuals with daily living needs and routines while following individualized care plans.
- Supported mobility needs and safely utilized assistive equipment, including wheelchairs and lifts.
- Provided medication support according to established care plans, procedures, and training.
- Applied behavior-management strategies and de-escalation techniques to effectively address challenging behaviors and mitigate emotional distress.
- Observed and documented changes in behavior, mood, and functioning to inform care decisions and support individual well-being.
- Responded calmly and appropriately to emergencies and crisis situations.
- Delivered emotional support and companionship, fostering trust and enhancing individuals' comfort during daily interactions.
- Maintained detailed documentation regarding client progress, behaviors, incidents, medications, and medical information.
- Supported community outings and activities while encouraging independence and social participation.
- Ensured dignity and inclusion for individuals in all activities.
Education
Capital High School
Helena, MTSkills
- High-support care
- Crisis intervention
- De-escalation techniques
- Behavior management
- Individualized care planning
- Individualized care plans
- Person-centered care
- Activities of daily living (ADL) support
- Personal care and hygiene assistance
- Mobility assistance and transfers
- Wheelchair and mechanical lift equipment
- Medication support
- Health and behavior observation
- High-support care
- Emergency response
- Safety oversight
- Incident reporting
- Care documentation
- Emotional support and companionship
- Client support
- Community integration
- Communication with healthcare providers
- Family/guardian communication
- Confidentiality practices
- Infection-control and cleanliness practices
- Appointment and transportation coordination
- Staff training and supervision
- Housekeeping services
- Appointment and transportation coordination
Certification
- Medication certification
- CPR Certified
- * MANDT Training — Crisis Prevention, De-escalation & Safe Behavioral Support
Timeline
Direct Support Professional
Benchmark Human Services
08.2026 - Current
Assistant Program Manager
West Mont Non profit
06.2025 - 04.2026
Direct Support Professional
West Mont Non Profit
05.2024 - 06.2025
Capital High School