Sherry Candler-Polk Candler
Chicago Heights,Illinois
Summary
Accomplished Occupational Therapist with a proven track record at Harmony Legacy Healthcare, enhancing patient quality of life through innovative therapeutic techniques and interdisciplinary collaboration. Expert in geriatric treatment and patient evaluations, I've led teams to streamline service delivery, significantly improving patient outcomes. Skilled in both direct patient care and effective family education, my approach has consistently resulted in high satisfaction rates and efficiency improvements.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
OccupationalTherapist
Harmony Legacy Healthcare
03.2023 - Current
- Documented patient progress accurately and efficiently, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Provided interventions and treatments to improve patient abilities to perform daily activities, manage symptoms and prevent injury.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members for comprehensive patient care and optimal results.
- Participated in continuing education opportunities to stay current with industry trends and best practices in occupational therapy.
- Provided education to empower patients and families to understand conditions, treatments and treatment options for managing symptoms.
- Promoted independence in activities of daily living through task analysis, environmental adaptations, and compensatory techniques.
- Coordinated discharge planning efforts alongside case managers to ensure seamless transitions between care providers upon leaving facility.
Occupational Therapist
Promedica Healthcare Palos Heights West
02.2021 - 03.2023
- Documented patient progress accurately and efficiently, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Provided interventions and treatments to improve patient abilities to perform daily activities, manage symptoms and prevent injury.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members for comprehensive patient care and optimal results.
- Participated in continuing education opportunities to stay current with industry trends and best practices in occupational therapy.
- Improved patient outcomes by implementing individualized treatment plans and monitoring progress.
- Coordinated discharge planning efforts alongside case managers to ensure seamless transitions between care providers upon leaving facility.
- Provided education to patients and families on coping strategies, adaptive equipment, and safety modifications.
- Established compassionate and caring relationships with patients.
- Performed assessments during treatment to determine progress according to goals.
- Conducted thorough evaluations to assess patient needs, functional limitations, and potential for improvement.
- Developed customized home exercise programs, enabling patients to maintain progress outside of therapy sessions.
- Enhanced patient functionality through evidence-based therapeutic interventions and exercises.
- Consulted with direct-care staff to implement best methods to achieve therapy goals.
- Meticulously reviewed records and referrals to determine and implement best treatment methods.
- Recommended equipment to use in-home to maximize opportunities for wellness.
- Helped patients with cognitive and mental health conditions to improve ability to think, learn and memorize.
- Promoted independence in activities of daily living through task analysis, environmental adaptations, and compensatory techniques.
- Enhanced overall quality of life for patients with chronic conditions by addressing physical, cognitive, psychosocial, and sensory impairments.
- Streamlined therapy processes to enhance service delivery efficiency, ensuring timely patient care.
- Streamlined documentation processes, ensuring accurate and timely records while maintaining patient confidentiality.
- Led team of occupational therapy assistants, overseeing their work and facilitating professional development through mentoring.
- Evaluated patient conditions, histories, and goals.
Occupational Therapist
Manor Care Rehabilitation Services Palos West
08.2005 - 01.2021
- Provided interventions and treatments to improve patient abilities to perform daily activities, manage symptoms and prevent injury.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members for comprehensive patient care and optimal results.
- Participated in continuing education opportunities to stay current with industry trends and best practices in occupational therapy.
- Provided education to patients and families on coping strategies, adaptive equipment, and safety modifications.
- Enhanced overall quality of life for patients with chronic conditions by addressing physical, cognitive, psychosocial, and sensory impairments.
- Performed assessments during treatment to determine progress according to goals.
- Conducted thorough evaluations to assess patient needs, functional limitations, and potential for improvement.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure cohesive approach to patient care, optimizing overall outcomes.
- Evaluated patient conditions, histories, and goals.
- Led team of occupational therapy assistants, overseeing their work and facilitating professional development through mentoring.
Director of Rehabilitation
Aegis Therapies
08.2007 - 07.2011
- Promoted and followed facility infection control policies, procedures and OBRA guidelines to improve quality of care for health and safety of residents.
- Developed programs appropriate to needs of residents in facility to achieve highest feasible level of functioning.
- Increased staff retention through effective training, mentorship, and performance evaluation systems.
- Promoted a safe working environment by enforcing proper use of equipment, maintaining cleanliness standards, and conducting regular safety audits.
- Maintained appropriate and adequate staffing and scheduling of residents on caseloads.
- Improved patient satisfaction rates by actively addressing concerns and implementing feedback-driven improvements.
- Developed strong relationships with referring physicians, leading to increased referrals and revenue growth.
- Ensured compliance with state and federal regulations by maintaining accurate documentation and timely reporting.
- Conducted regular performance reviews of staff members, offering constructive feedback and setting clear expectations for ongoing improvement.
- Contributed to the success of multidisciplinary team meetings by facilitating open communication between providers about patient progress and care plan adjustments.
- Performed or oversaw initial patient assessments and evaluated response to treatment interventions.
- Supervised, oriented, trained and counseled department employees to improve job performance and maintain high standards of patient care.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Occupational Therapy
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS08-1979
Skills
- Family and patient education
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Direct patient care
- Goal setting experience
- Therapeutic technique
- Discharge planning
- Documentation
- Patient evaluations
- Geriatric treatment
- Wheelchair seating
- Group therapy
- Patient positioning
Certification
- Licensed Occupational Therapist (varies by state) - Illinois and Indiana Board of Occupational Therapy.
Timeline
OccupationalTherapist
Harmony Legacy Healthcare
03.2023 - Current
Occupational Therapist
Promedica Healthcare Palos Heights West
02.2021 - 03.2023
Director of Rehabilitation
Aegis Therapies
08.2007 - 07.2011
Occupational Therapist
Manor Care Rehabilitation Services Palos West
08.2005 - 01.2021
Bachelor of Science - Occupational Therapy
University of Kansas
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