Nicole Barnes
Kalispell,MT
Summary
I have some variety in my work experiences! Currently I am a Nutrition Services Technician at Logan Heath, skilled in food preparation and sanitation protocols. Expertise in elevating patient satisfaction through attentive listening and customized nutrition care plans. Proven collaborator with meticulous attention to detail, optimizing meal service efficiency and ensuring adherence to dietary restrictions, fostering a safer dining experience for patients.
Also, have I many years as Early childhood education professional, known for creating engaging and developmentally appropriate lesson plans. Continued education to meet job requirements. Proven ability to foster nurturing and inclusive classroom environment. Valued team collaborator with strong focus on achieving results and adapting to changing needs. Skilled in infant through child development and classroom management.
In addition to years of experience as customer service professional, brings valuable experience in addressing and resolving customer issues effectively. Known for strong focus on team collaboration and achieving positive outcomes. Reliable and adaptable with excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Nutrition Services Technician
Logan Heath/Kalispell Regional Medical Center
Kalispell, MT
03.2025 - Current
- Handled administrative duties such as updating patient records concerning any changes that may have been made to their dietary requirements while under our care.
- Maintained a clean and safe work environment by adhering to strict sanitation guidelines and procedures.
- Provided exceptional customer service to patients, addressing concerns or complaints promptly and professionally.
- Managed procurement activities efficiently by working directly alongside suppliers responsible for delivering fresh produce and other key ingredients used daily within our kitchens.
- Worked closely with dietitians to monitor patient progress regularly, adjusting nutrition care plans as necessary based on feedback received from both parties involved.
- Supported team members during high-volume periods, demonstrating flexibility when handling multiple tasks simultaneously.
- Improved hospital food service efficiency by streamlining meal preparation processes.
- Ensured compliance with dietary restrictions for patients, reducing the risk of adverse reactions.
- Conducted regular quality assurance checks on prepared meals, maintaining consistency in taste and presentation standards throughout the facility.
- Cleaned and organized kitchen, dining and service areas.
- Followed safety and sanitation policies while handling food and beverages to uphold proper health standards.
- Monitored food quality and freshness throughout day.
- Cross-trained in other kitchen positions to support staff and meet customer needs and demands.
- Verified prepared food met standards for quality and quantity before serving to customers.
- Processed customer payments and balanced cash drawers.
- Adjusted food preparation methods in accordance with customer requests.
- Portioned and wrapped food to place directly on plates for service to patrons.
Patient Access Representative
Logan Heath/Kailspell Regional Medical Center
Kalispell, MT
09.2024 - 03.2025
- Ensured compliance with HIPAA regulations to maintain confidentiality of sensitive patient information during all interactions.
- Stayed calm under pressure to and successfully dealt with difficult situations.
- Adapted quickly to changing demands within the healthcare environment, demonstrating flexibility and a strong commitment to quality patient care.
- Provided excellent customer service through active listening skills, understanding patient needs, and offering tailored solutions where applicable.
- Enhanced overall patient experience with empathetic communication and thorough explanations of insurance benefits and coverage.
- Streamlined patient registration processes by implementing efficient data collection methods and reducing wait times.
- Collaborated with healthcare providers to ensure timely appointment scheduling and coordinated follow-up care for patients'' needs.
- Enhanced patient experience, ensuring welcoming environment from first point of contact.
- Assisted in reducing no-show rates by implementing reliable follow-up and reminder system for appointments.
- Greeted and assisted patients with check-in procedures.
- Provided excellent customer service to patients and medical staff.
- Contributed to a positive work environment by fostering strong relationships among colleagues, promoting teamwork, and sharing best practices.
Lead Preschool Teacher
Logan Heath/Kalispell Regional Medical Center
Kalispell, MT
10.2022 - 09.2024
- Assisted and supervised 4 infants in at the Infant center 6weeks to 1yrs old. Also, older children 1yrs. through 6yrs old through entire school day. Up to 8:1 ration for under 3yrs old 10:1 over 3yrs old.
- Established strong relationships with parents through regular communication regarding their child''s progress, fostering increased parental involvement in the educational process.
- Utilized books, songs and games to engage students.
- Conducted regular parent-teacher conferences to discuss student progress and areas of improvement, encouraging a collaborative approach to education.
- Utilized positive reinforcement techniques when addressing behavioral issues, maintaining a respectful and orderly classroom environment conducive to learning.
- Incorporated play-based learning opportunities into daily routines, allowing students to explore new concepts while developing critical thinking skills through hands-on experiences.
- Applied play-based strategies to provide diverse approaches to learning.
- Observed children to identify individuals in need of additional support and developed strategies to improve assistance.
- Submitted weekly lesson plans.
- Sanitized toys and play equipment each day to maintain safety and cleanliness.
- Supported the social-emotional development of students by implementing lessons on empathy, communication skills, and conflict resolution.
- Monitored students' academic, social, and emotional progress and recorded in individual files.
- Collaborated with fellow teachers to develop curriculum and share best practices, improving overall classroom effectiveness.
- Managed classroom materials efficiently, ensuring availability of necessary resources for daily activities and reducing waste.
- Gave one-on-one attention to children while maintaining overall focus on entire group.
- Planned educational opportunities based on children's interests.
- Prepared pre-class materials.
- Attended professional development workshops regularly, staying up-to-date with current early childhood education trends and techniques for enhanced instruction quality.
- Implemented a variety of assessment tools to track student progress and adjust instruction accordingly, leading to improved learning outcomes.
- Allowed for ample outdoor discovery time in schedule each day.
- Promoted strong literacy skills by incorporating reading activities throughout the day, laying a solid foundation for future academic achievement.
- Maintained organized, fun and interactive classroom to help children feel safe.
- Implemented age-appropriate curricula to meet needs of young learners.
- Organized and supervised large and small group activities.
- Established positive relationships with students and families.
- Supported students in developing self-esteem and self-confidence.
- Monitored classroom to verify safe and secure environment.
- Incorporated music, art and literature into curriculum.
- Protected children in-class, at recess and off-site with observational skills and positive reinforcement for good behavior.
- Helped new preschool children get used to classes by giving one-on-one support.
- Provided support for children with special needs or behavioral challenges, implementing personalized accommodations to promote inclusivity within the classroom setting.
- Consulted with parents to build and maintain positive support networks and support continuing education strategies.
Substitute Preschool Teacher
Logan Heath/Kalispell Regional Medical Center
Kalispell, MT
01.2022 - 10.2022
- Assisted lead teacher in the development of age-appropriate lesson plans that addressed diverse learning styles and abilities.
- Supported the emotional well-being of each child through empathetic listening, guidance, and conflict resolution skills.
- Provided one-on-one support for struggling learners, resulting in improved academic performance and increased confidence.
- Managed classroom behavior effectively, fostering a positive learning environment for all students.
- Increased student engagement by incorporating hands-on activities and group projects within the curriculum.
- Contributed to a safe and nurturing classroom environment by implementing proactive classroom management strategies.
- Strengthened parent-teacher relationships through consistent communication and involvement in school events.
- Established strong rapport with students, creating an inclusive atmosphere where all children felt valued and heard.
- Encouraged creativity among students by introducing various art mediums and techniques during free play time.
- Supported special needs students by implementing individualized education plans, leading to improved learning outcomes.
- Repeatedly requested as substitute teacher by teachers based on excellent past referrals and trusted performance.
- Followed lesson plans designed by absent teachers.
- Attended professional meetings, educational conferences or teacher training workshops to improve professional competence.
- Researched and selected age-appropriate materials and resources for classroom instruction.
- Enforced school and class rules to maintain order in classroom.
- Supervised lunchroom and recess activities.
Childcare Provider
Logan Heath/Kalispell Regional Medical Center Gym
Kalispell, MT
09.2016 - 10.2022
- Developed strong relationships with families, providing regular updates on child progress while in the drop-in classroom and establishing trust.
- Sanitized dishes, tabletops, toys, and frequently touched surfaces to prevent spreading of germs.
- Administered first aid when needed, adhering to established protocols to ensure child safety and wellbeing.
- Developed age-appropriate activities and crafts to engage children.
- Led children in creative, athletic, and educational activities while maintaining safe and orderly group.
- Maintained clean facilities by following sanitation protocols, ensuring a healthy environment for all children.
- Ensured child safety through vigilant supervision, maintaining proper ratios during indoor and outdoor activities.
- Introduced children to educational games and activities to boost learning.
- Provided emotional support and guidance to children during difficult times.
- Assisted children in developing fine motor skills through play-based learning activities such as puzzles and stacking blocks.
- Fostered creativity with various arts and crafts projects, stimulating imagination and selfexpression.
- Assisted in potty training and other daily hygiene activities to support child development.
- Oversaw smooth drop-off/pick-up transitions by maintaining open communication with parents and ensuring a safe environment for children.
- Implemented daily routines to establish consistency, helping children transition smoothly between activities.
- Improved language development through engaging storytelling sessions and age-appropriate book readings.
- Promoted physical fitness by incorporating active play into daily schedules, encouraging healthy habits from an early age.
- Improved children's physical health with daily outdoor play and exercise routines.
- Streamlined daily operations by implementing organized check-in and check-out system.
- Monitored children's activities to verify safety and wellbeing.
- Read stories, sang songs and facilitated creative play.
- Worked closely with fellow staff members in developing and implementing educational and recreational activities.
Assistant Preschool Teacher
Trinity Lutheran Child Care Center
Kalispell, MT
08.2015 - 09.2018
- Aided in the preparation of instructional materials, ensuring resources were readily available for each lesson.
- Served as a positive role model for students, demonstrating professionalism, empathy, and enthusiasm in all interactions.
- Provided individualized support for students, addressing unique learning needs and fostering growth in all areas.
- Supported lead teacher in conducting assessments to measure student progress and identify areas requiring additional focus.
- Enhanced student engagement by incorporating interactive activities and hands-on learning experiences.
- Collaborated with lead teachers to develop and implement age-appropriate curriculum for preschoolers.
- Maintained tidy and clean classroom consistent with safety and health standards.
- Established a nurturing classroom environment that promoted inclusivity, emotional well-being, and social development.
- Fostered strong parent-teacher relationships through regular communication about student progress and goals.
- Continuously updated knowledge on early childhood education best practices through professional development workshops and courses.
- Encouraged children to interact with each other and participate in group activities.
- Contributed to the creation of engaging lesson plans aligned with state standards and frameworks.
- Managed daily routines such as snack time transitions smoothly while maintaining a calm and focused environment.
- Participated in parent-teacher conferences discussing student progress, achievements, challenges faced along with constructive feedback.
- Consulted with parents to build and maintain positive support networks and support continuing education strategies.
- Supervised children during in-classroom activities and on playground.
- Organized snack time and nap hours.
- Prepared for lessons by gathering educational materials and setting up equipment.
- Organized and supervised large and small group activities.
- Protected children in-class, at recess and off-site with observational skills and positive reinforcement for good behavior.
- Implemented age-appropriate curricula to meet needs of young learners.
- Incorporated music, art and literature into curriculum.
- Utilized creative teaching strategies to engage students in classroom.
- Helped new preschool children get used to classes by giving one-on-one support.
Office Assistant, Lunch Aid/Janitorial Lead, Cook
Williams Head Start/NACOG
Williams, AZ
09.2013 - 08.2015
- Maintained a high standard of food quality by consistently reviewing dishes for taste, presentation, and adherence to established guidelines.
- Enhanced kitchen efficiency by streamlining cooking processes and implementing time-saving techniques.
- Consistently met or exceeded health code standards by enforcing strict sanitation practices throughout the kitchen area.
- Set up and prepared cooking supplies and workstations during opening and closing to maximize productivity.
- Contributed to a positive workplace culture through proactive communication with team members at all levels of the organization.
- Oversaw proper storage procedures for perishable items, ensuring freshness and minimizing spoilage risks.
- Prevented cross-contamination from utensils, surfaces, and pans when cooking and plating meals for food allergy sufferers.
- Inspected freezer and refrigerator daily to check and maintain proper temperatures.
- Maintained high food quality standards by checking delivery contents to verify product quality and quantity.
- Oversaw scheduling, inventory management, and supply ordering to maintain fully stocked kitchen.
- Assisted with menu development and planning.
- Participated in food tastings and taste tests.
- Utilized culinary techniques to create visually appealing dishes.
- Modified recipes to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies.
- Developed close relationships with suppliers to source best ingredients.
- Efficiently handled high-volume orders while maintaining superior food quality through precise execution of cooking methods.
- Assisted in coordinating school events and meetings by scheduling appointments, sending reminders, and preparing necessary materials.
- Increased parent engagement by assisting in the preparation of newsletters, updating the school website, and maintaining social media channels.
- Played an instrumental role in emergency preparedness planning by participating in safety drills alongside faculty members as well as reviewing policies periodically with administration teams.
- Contributed to a positive school culture by collaborating with teachers, administrators, and support staff on various projects and initiatives.
- Enhanced office efficiency by organizing and maintaining a comprehensive filing system for student records.
- Maintained a welcoming front office environment for visitors through professional customer service skills and maintaining a clean space.
- Performed general clerical tasks such as filing, faxing and data entry.
- Supported the school administration with accurate data entry for student enrollment, attendance, and academic performance.
- Maintained an up-to-date inventory of supplies for the office and classrooms by regularly monitoring stock levels and placing orders as needed.
- Managed confidential information with discretion while handling sensitive documents such as student transcripts and personnel files.
- Organized and managed school records, student documentation, and administrative communications.
- Answered and responded to student and parent inquiries regarding academics, field trips, afterschool activities and school events.
- Maintained daily attendance record of students in school.
- Kept in contact with parents and updated regarding child's progress and attendance.
- Input data into spreadsheets and databases.
- Reviewed files, records and other documents to obtain information to respond to requests.
- Promptly received and forwarded incoming communications, such as phone calls, emails, and letters, to appropriate staff.
- Answered and managed incoming and outgoing calls while recording accurate messages for distribution to office staff.
- Kept office supplies well organized and sufficiently stocked, placing orders promptly to replenish materials before depleted.
- Assisted with onboarding of new employees.
Lead Sandwich Maker, Trainer, Cashier
SUBWAY®Restaurants
Williams, AZ
03.2006 - 03.2010
- Increased repeat business through attentive listening to customer feedback on taste preferences or dietary needs, leading to customized orders that delighted patrons.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by efficiently preparing high-quality sandwiches in a timely manner.
- Improved efficiency by optimizing workspace layout and equipment placement for faster sandwich assembly.
- Consistently met or exceeded daily sales goals through effective upselling and promotion of specials.
- Maintained positive relationships with customers by providing exceptional service and addressing concerns promptly.
- Trained new employees on company policies, procedures, and sandwich-making techniques, improving overall team performance.
- Implemented regular quality checks on ingredients to ensure freshness and prevent potential health hazards from spoiled products.
- Demonstrated leadership abilities by overseeing shifts as needed when the manager was unavailable.
- Developed strong communication skills while coordinating tasks with coworkers during busy periods for smooth operations flow.
- Contributed to a welcoming atmosphere by ensuring dining area cleanliness and proper table settings were maintained throughout the day.
- Upheld strict food safety standards by maintaining a clean and organized work environment.
- Streamlined the sandwich-making process for increased productivity and reduced wait times.
- Reduced food waste with careful portion control and inventory management practices.
- Greeted guests, promoted specials, and took orders.
- Prepared and presented food in compliance with health and safety guidelines.
- Upheld high standards of customer service at all times to enhance client loyalty and satisfaction.
- Restocked and rotated stock in display case to mitigate stock loss.
- Operated manual and electric appliances to peel, slice, and trim food.
- Organized freezers, refrigerators and storage rooms by receiving, recording, and moving food and beverage supplies and products.
- Accurately operated cash register to process customer payments.
- Checked on dining areas frequently to clean up spills, wipe down tables and restock stations.
- Replenished condiments, beverages, and supplies while maintaining cleanliness of service areas.
- Properly labeled and stored food and fresh ingredients in cooler or freezer to optimize freshness.
- Maintained effective supply levels by monitoring and reordering food stock and dry goods.
- Filled out daily shift log to record amount of food prepared, used and leftover.
- Loaded dishwasher with china and thoroughly hand-washed dishes, pans and utensils to tidy up serving line.
- Established and maintained quality control standards.
- Developed job-specific competencies and performance standards.
- Worked flexible schedule and extra shifts to meet business needs.
- Adapted quickly to new technologies implemented at POS systems, ensuring seamless transition periods for both staff and customers.
- Exceeded productivity goals through consistent attention to detail and organization during busy shifts.
Kids Club Childcare Provider
Flagstaff Athletic Club
Flagstaff, AZ
02.2004 - 10.2006
- Developed strong relationships with families, providing regular updates on child progress and establishing trust.
- Sanitized dishes, tabletops, toys, and frequently touched surfaces to prevent spreading of germs.
- Developed age-appropriate activities and crafts to engage children.
- Maintained clean facilities by following sanitation protocols, ensuring a healthy environment for all children.
- Administered first aid when needed, adhering to established protocols to ensure child safety and wellbeing.
- Led children in creative, athletic, and educational activities while maintaining safe and orderly group.
- Ensured child safety through vigilant supervision, maintaining proper ratios during indoor and outdoor activities.
- Assisted children in developing fine motor skills through play-based learning activities such as puzzles and stacking blocks.
- Applied positive behavior management techniques to enhance social interactions and emotional development.
- Assisted in potty training and other daily hygiene activities to support child development.
- Encouraged children to develop healthy social and emotional skills.
- Oversaw smooth drop-off/pick-up transitions by maintaining open communication with parents and ensuring a safe environment for children.
- Implemented daily routines to establish consistency, helping children transition smoothly between activities.
- Improved language development through engaging storytelling sessions and age-appropriate book readings.
- Streamlined daily operations by implementing organized check-in and check-out system.
- Resolved conflicts among children, teaching them effective problem-solving and negotiation skills.
- Read stories, sang songs and facilitated creative play.
- Monitored children's activities to verify safety and wellbeing.
- Dispensed snacks and meals to children in accordance with nutritional guidelines.
- Assisted in potty training and toilet hygiene.
- Created and implemented activities to promote language development.
- Maintained group discipline through positive reinforcement, behavior modeling, and collaboration with parents.
- Worked closely with fellow staff members in developing and implementing educational and recreational activities.
- Implemented creative arts and crafts sessions to stimulate children's creativity and motor skills development.
- Enhanced team communication and efficiency, conducting regular staff meetings and training sessions.
- Increased parental satisfaction, providing detailed daily reports on child progress and activities.
- Continuously updated professional knowledge by attending training workshops, seminars, and conferences to stay current on best practices in childcare.
Education
High School Diploma -
Sinagua High School
Flagstaff, AZ06-2002
Skills
- Nutrition assessment
- Food preparation
- Medical nutrition therapy
- Sanitation procedures
- Special diets
- Pediatric nutrition
- Weight management
- Allergen management
- Prenatal nutrition
- Geriatric nutrition
- Diabetes care
- Eating disorder treatment
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Attention to detail
- Multitasking Abilities
- Active listening
- Money handling
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Safe food handling
- Kitchen equipment use
- Cooking techniques
- Meal preparation
- Sanitation standards
- Nutritional knowledge
- Food storage
- Ingredient preparation
- Food production
- High volume dining
- Health code compliance
- Portion control
- Classroom management
- Classroom organization
- Child development
- Positive reinforcement
- Parent-teacher communication
- Lesson planning
- Early childhood education
- Curriculum planning
- Training in food handling preparation
- Age-appropriate assessment
- Child development expertise
- Head start programs
- Safety procedures
- Social-emotional learning
- Toileting and feeding
- Excellent classroom management
- Play-based learning approaches
- Strong work ethic and dependable
- Early childhood development
- Parent-teacher conferences
- Age-appropriate curriculum
- Heart Saver first aid CPR AED
- Customer service
- Data entry
- Critical thinking
- Relationship building
- Call center experience
- Computer proficiency
- Payment processing
- Food safety
- Training and mentoring
- Equipment maintenance
- Sanitation standards compliance
- Expert sandwich making
- Efficient time management
- Food allergy awareness
- Willingness to learn
- Multitasking and prioritizing
- Cleaning and organization
- Effective multi-tasking
- Taking and preparing orders
- Phone and online order processing
- Flexible schedule
- Store opening and closing
- Product stocking and rotation
- Cooking
- Inventory counts
- Food service standards
- Quality control
- Staff training
Accomplishments
- Documented and resolved a reach in cooler/prep table that was not cold enough which led to needing it repaired by other staff members in another department to fix the cooler/prep table.
- Achieved food safety issue by reporting to manager and shift leader with accuracy and efficiency.
Certification
- Certified Nutrition Services Technician, Logan Heath/Kalispell Medical Center- 2025
- 60Hr Preschool certificate
- Early Sign Language certificate
Languages
English
Full Professional
Sign Language
Limited Working
Interests
- Teaching children of all ages
- Sign Language
- Scrapbooking
- Growing herbs, vegetables, or fruits in home gardens
- Learning new cooking techniques and expanding my culinary skills
- I enjoy cooking for friends and family gatherings
- Cake Decorating
- Baking
- Cooking
- Bread Making
- Enjoying the art of baking and pastry-making, experimenting with recipes
- Food justice advocate, working to address food insecurity and promote access to healthy, affordable food
- Personal Development and Self-Improvement
- Sharing recipes, cooking tips, and culinary experiences through blogs and social media platforms
- Youth Development Programs
- Road Trips
- Gardening
- Photography
- DIY and Home Improvement
- I participate in low-impact exercises to strengthen core muscles
- Exploring famous landmarks, historical sites, and cultural attractions in a new destination
Timeline
Nutrition Services Technician
Logan Heath/Kalispell Regional Medical Center
03.2025 - Current
Patient Access Representative
Logan Heath/Kailspell Regional Medical Center
09.2024 - 03.2025
Lead Preschool Teacher
Logan Heath/Kalispell Regional Medical Center
10.2022 - 09.2024
Substitute Preschool Teacher
Logan Heath/Kalispell Regional Medical Center
01.2022 - 10.2022
Childcare Provider
Logan Heath/Kalispell Regional Medical Center Gym
09.2016 - 10.2022
Assistant Preschool Teacher
Trinity Lutheran Child Care Center
08.2015 - 09.2018
Office Assistant, Lunch Aid/Janitorial Lead, Cook
Williams Head Start/NACOG
09.2013 - 08.2015
Lead Sandwich Maker, Trainer, Cashier
SUBWAY®Restaurants
03.2006 - 03.2010
Kids Club Childcare Provider
Flagstaff Athletic Club
02.2004 - 10.2006
High School Diploma -
Sinagua High School