Rebecca Gustafson
Kalamazoo,MI
Summary
Skilled Direct Support Professional with over 20 years of experience in crisis management and team collaboration. Committed to fostering independence through personalized care plans and advocating for clients' rights in community resources.
Experienced support professional prepared for this role, bringing strong focus on team collaboration and achieving results. Skilled in providing personalized care, communication, and problem-solving. Known for flexibility and reliability, adapting to changing needs seamlessly. Proven ability to foster positive, supportive environment.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Direct Support Professional
Residential Opportunities
Kalamazoo, MI
04.2003 - Current
- Facilitated daily living skills for individuals with developmental disabilities.
- Developed and implemented personalized care plans to enhance client well-being.
- Monitored client progress, documenting behavioral changes and achievements.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive support services.
- Trained new staff on best practices in direct support techniques and safety protocols.
- Advocated for clients' rights and needs within community resources and services.
- Led workshops to promote social skills development among clients, fostering independence.
- Evaluated program effectiveness, recommending improvements for service delivery standards.
- Maintained clean, safe, and well-organized patient environment.
Custom Framer
Michaels Arts and Crafts
Portage, MI
03.2002 - 03.2003
- Crafted custom frames tailored to client specifications, ensuring high-quality finishes and customer satisfaction.
- Operated framing machinery and tools, maintaining safety standards and equipment functionality.
- Collaborated with customers to select materials and designs, enhancing overall framing experience.
- Trained new staff on framing techniques and operational procedures, promoting consistent quality workmanship.
- Increased sales revenue by effectively recommending suitable frame styles and materials based on artwork and décor requirements.
- Ensured long-lasting preservation of artwork by utilizing acid-free matting and UV-resistant glass during the framing process.
- Assisted clients with selecting complementary color schemes for matting choices that enhanced the visual appeal of their framed pieces.
- Maintained a clean and safe work environment through regular equipment maintenance and adherence to safety protocols.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by providing personalized framing solutions tailored to individual needs and preferences.
- Strengthened client relationships through consistent follow-ups regarding project status updates and delivery arrangements.
- Collaborated with team members to complete large-scale projects within tight deadlines while maintaining high-quality standards.
- Secured positive customer reviews through meticulous attention to detail in assembling frames with appropriate mounting techniques for various art mediums.
- Delivered exceptional craftsmanship in custom framing projects, resulting in repeat business from satisfied customers.
Sales Associate
Meijer
Kalamazoo, MI
01.1995 - 03.2002
- Assisted customers with product selection and inquiries, enhancing shopping experience.
- Maintained inventory accuracy through regular stock checks and replenishment processes.
- Collaborated with team members to ensure efficient store operations and customer service excellence.
- Trained new associates on sales techniques and operational procedures, fostering a knowledgeable workforce.
- Implemented promotional displays to drive sales and attract customer attention effectively.
- Mentored junior staff on best practices in sales and merchandising, promoting team growth and performance improvement.
- Organized racks and shelves to maintain store visual appeal, engage customers, and promote specific merchandise.
- Handled cash transactions efficiently while adhering to company cash handling policies, ensuring accuracy in all financial exchanges.
- Built relationships with customers to encourage repeat business.
- Maintained calm demeanor and professionally managed issues in busy, high-stress situations.
- Prepared merchandise for sales floor by pricing or tagging.
- Helped customers locate products and checked store system for merchandise at other sites.
- Answered customer questions about sizing, accessories, and merchandise care.
- Provided positive first impressions to welcome existing, new, and potential customers.
- Rotated stock and restocked shelves to maintain product availability and store appearance.
- Engaged with customers to build rapport and loyalty.
- Boosted customer satisfaction levels through exceptional service, addressing concerns promptly, and providing a welcoming store environment.
- Solved customer challenges by offering relevant products and services.
- Accurately processed POS transactions, returning coin, currency, payment cards, and receipts to customers.
- Collaborated with team members to improve overall store performance, sharing best practices, and offering support as needed.
Daycare Teacher
Loy Norrix High School Day Care
Kalamazoo, MI
09.1993 - 06.1996
- Developed engaging lesson plans tailored to diverse learning styles and developmental stages.
- Implemented daily routines enhancing children's social, emotional, and cognitive skills.
- Fostered a nurturing environment promoting positive behavior and conflict resolution among children.
- Collaborated with parents to support child development and address individual needs effectively.
- Mentored new staff in best practices for early childhood education and classroom management.
- Evaluated children's progress through assessments, adapting instructional strategies accordingly.
- Sanitized toys and play equipment each day to maintain safety and cleanliness.
- Provided a safe and nurturing environment for children, regularly monitoring indoor and outdoor spaces for potential hazards.
- Actively encouraged children to develop their communication, problem-solving and social skills.
- Maintained tidy environment to comply with cleanliness and sanitation standards.
- Developed strong relationships with parents through regular communication about their child''s progress and needs.
- Assisted in preparation of meals and snacks to provide children with proper nutrition.
- Oversaw daily transitions between various activities such as snack time, outdoor playtime, naptime ensuring smooth operation of daily schedule.
- Instructed children in health and personal habits, such as eating, resting, and toileting.
- Utilized positive reinforcement strategies to encourage appropriate behaviors among students while minimizing disruptions or conflicts.
- Gathered materials and resources to prepare for lessons and activities.
- Engaged with children on individual basis to build positive relationships and promote learning.
- Guided students through daily routines, instilling a sense of responsibility and independence within each child.
- Improved classroom management by implementing clear expectations, consistent routines, and age-appropriate rewards systems.
- Promoted language acquisition in young learners with engaging storytelling, songs, and word games.
- Intervened in disruptive behavior, using positive reinforcement strategies to redirect and calm children.
- Documented behavior, development and learning of children to enable tracking history and maintain accurate records.
- Enhanced children''s emotional development through empathetic communication and active listening techniques.
- Increased daycare students'' social skills by incorporating group activities and cooperative play into daily routines.
- Collaborated with fellow daycare teachers to create a cohesive educational experience across all classrooms within the center.
- Maintained accurate documentation of student progress, behavior incidents, and parent-teacher conferences for review as needed.
- Implemented creative art projects to encourage self-expression and fine motor skill development among young children.
- Consulted with parents to build and maintain positive support networks and support continuing education strategies.
Education
No Degree - Early Childhood Care And Education
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MIBachelor of Science - Library Science
Ashford University
San Diego, CA2018
Skills
- Time management
- First aid and safety
- Behavior redirection
- Client support
- Compassionate caregiving
- Medication administration
- Behavioral management
- Client documentation
- Housekeeping tasks
- Decision-making support
- Health and safety requirements
- Relationship building
- Direct patient care
- Transportation
- Appointment scheduling
- Disability awareness
- ADL support
- Goal setting
- Team collaboration
- Social skills development
- Crisis management
- Patient management
- Progress documentation
- Individualized support planning
- Patient assessments
- Safety monitoring
- Community integration
- Multitasking and organization
- Daily living support
- Empathy and patience
- Self-care promotion
- Charting and documentation
- Certified in CPR/AED
Certification
- Licensed CNA - 2020-current
- Hipaa
- emergency Preparedness
- Mandt Intermediate
- Mandt Basic
- Recipient Rights
- Bloodborn Pathogens
- Corprate Compliance
- Person Centered Planning
- Cultural Diversity
Timeline
Direct Support Professional
Residential Opportunities
04.2003 - Current
Custom Framer
Michaels Arts and Crafts
03.2002 - 03.2003
Sales Associate
Meijer
01.1995 - 03.2002
Daycare Teacher
Loy Norrix High School Day Care
09.1993 - 06.1996
No Degree - Early Childhood Care And Education
Western Michigan University
Bachelor of Science - Library Science
Ashford University