Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Personal Information
Additional Skills
Certification
Languages
Timeline
Generic

Sylvia Holterman

Kenosha

Summary

Dedicated Mental Health Specialist with a proven track record at Allendale Association, skilled in implementing mental health interventions and fostering client engagement. Proficient in documentation and case management, I excel in creating safe environments and promoting patient independence, ensuring exceptional care for vulnerable populations.

Overview

19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Mental Health Technician

Lake Behavioral Hospital
Waukegan
03.2019 - Current
  • Engaged patients in therapeutic activities designed to enhance mental wellness and social skills.
  • Tracked client movement on and off unit by documenting times and destinations.
  • Influenced patients' behavior with interaction, counseling or instruction.
  • Developed basic strategies to promote patient safety, wellness and independence.
  • Implemented therapeutic techniques such as art therapy, recreational therapy or music therapy.
  • Implemented stress-reduction techniques to promote patient relaxation and well-being.
  • Actively participated in continuing education programs related to mental health care delivery.
  • Aided patients in performing activities of daily living.
  • Supervised visitors entering the facility according to established security protocols.
  • Established trusting relationships with clients by demonstrating empathy and understanding towards them.

Mental Health Specialist

Allendale Association
Lake Villa
01.2017 - Current
  • Company Overview: Allendale Association's first ever 'non-verbal autism' residential unit dedicated to providing long-term residential care to autistic children (ages 5-10). Website: https://allendale4kids.org/allendale-offers-a-residential-program-for-children-with-autism/
  • I am currently working as a mental health specialist in an exclusive 6 person team at Allendale Association's first ever 'non-verbal autism' residential unit in the agency's 121 year history. This specialized unit officially opened in August 2019 and is dedicated to providing longterm residential care to autistic children (ages 5-10). Our current clients were all taken into DCFS custody and removed from their homes due to severe environmental neglect as well as particular hazardous family dynamics within their perspective previous households. Due to the severity of the neglect, paired with their cognitive delays and being under 7 years old, the needs and behaviors of these clients were deemed too profound to be placed into foster care at the immediate time of the home removal. Prior to the opening of this new autism unit, I worked on the campus in a 2-bedroom apartment, where our first 2 nonverbal autistic clients were placed in the fall of 2017. These 2 residents in my direct care are brothers who were brought to Allendale through DCFS as victims of environmental neglect. Both clients were denied placement by 11 different residential foster care agencies and were placed into an emergency foster home along with their 2 other brothers- the foster parent called for removal of all 4 siblings within 24 hours of the placement. These 2 clients were then considered 'un place-able' in foster care for both specialized and residential care at the immediate time of removal from the home until stabilization and treatment plans could be worked out. Allendale Association took the brothers into short-term emergency care until placements could be secured. Due to the great strides of success seen from both of the clients after 6 months in our care, Allendale then accepted them into long term residential care and our small team of Mental Health Specialists -along with the Senior Vice President of Residential Placement, began to develop an outline for an entire specialized unit for this population of children who are in desperate need of stabilization. The process of creating this new program was a year in the making and after being approved to house 6 residents, obtaining new licensure from DCFS and officially opening our doors in August 2019 we currently have 4 long-term residents in our care. Additionally, my current position requires strong daily communication (verbal and written) and documentation skills, Medicaid billing, filing appropriate paperwork and charts per client, direct weekly clinical consultations via phone with client's caseworkers and teachers.
  • Daily shift duties include: Provides direct supervision at all times to the residents within the unit, including one-on-one attention to residents based on their unique needs. This includes physically restraining residents who are a danger to themselves or others per safety and behavior management standards. Certified in 'Therapeutic Crisis Intervention'.
  • Teaching basic life skills such as dressing themselves, toilet training and learning how to eat with utensils. Preparing all meals, bathing and dressing the clients and putting them to bed each night.
  • Getting clients to and from their perspective specialized schools within the community. Providing stimulating and cognitively appropriate activities and community outings.
  • Working directly with nursing staff to provide basic health care needs, administering medication every morning/night.
  • Working on basic sign language skills and using assistive language technology, as the clients cannot currently communicate verbally.
  • Working weekly with an outside Board Certified Behavior Analyst who is providing the training to the Autism Program team of staff to be Registered Behavior Technicians. In conjunction with the treatment team and the BCBA, assists in the implementation of individualized programs plans and behavioral interventions procedures and documentation.
  • Working directly with the biological families of each client, supervising weekly family visits, involved in weekly clinical consultation meetings per client and maintaining accurate and detailed visitation records as needed for court dates, as well as transporting client's family members to and from weekly court ordered supervised visitations.
  • Ensure that my clients are safe and properly supervised.
  • Assure that a daily log is written and all paperwork is done appropriately.
  • Reassure that clients are given the appropriate medication in a timely manner.
  • Supervising/assisting with client visits or appointments.
  • Maintaining a clean and safe environment for clients.
  • Assist with making sure that the set program is being followed effectively.
  • Assist our clients with doing their daily hygiene routine and cleaning.
  • Make sure all necessary paperwork is available on the unit and up to date.
  • Assist with clients potty training needs when necessary.
  • Passing on program information to new or fill in staff about how the program is expected to run.
  • Accompanying my clients to the doctor for possible procedures and check ups when necessary.
  • Notifying and keeping supervisors and nurses up to date on whats going on with our clients.
  • Planning and carrying out activities to keep our clients active and engaged.
  • Partake in the necessary training's required to stay up to date and knowledgeable about the program.
  • Encouraging and supporting the clients to stay positive and on task.
  • Being empathetic for my clients and their situation.
  • Allendale Association's first ever 'non-verbal autism' residential unit dedicated to providing long-term residential care to autistic children (ages 5-10). Website: https://allendale4kids.org/allendale-offers-a-residential-program-for-children-with-autism/

Certified Nurses Aide

Assured Healthcare
Gurnee
05.2010 - 01.2017
  • Able to perform tasks for patients Activities of Daily Living to promote comfort and safety for the residents.
  • Able to provide total care to the patients.
  • Able to operate Hoyer lift and stand up lift.
  • Able to communicate with resident and family members to meet their expectations as best as possible.
  • Able to act quickly in emergency situations.
  • Able to report to Nurse any abnormal conditions about resident.
  • Assisted clients with grooming and hygiene care.
  • Able to reposition.
  • Assisted the clients to take a shower/bath and help them get dressed.
  • Able to perform range and motion exercises.
  • Able to change and make bed with resident in bed.

Certified Nursing Assistant

Society's Assets
Kenosha
06.2009 - 02.2011
  • Able to perform tasks for patients Activities of Daily Living to promote comfort and safety for the residents.
  • Able to provide total care to the patients.
  • Able to operate Hoyer lift and stand up lift.
  • Assist Nurse in selected procedures.
  • Able to communicate with resident and family members to meet their expectations as best as possible.
  • Able to act quickly in emergency situations.
  • Able to report to Nurse any abnormal conditions about resident.
  • Assisted clients with grooming and hygiene care.
  • Able to reposition.
  • Assisted the clients to take a shower/bath and help them get dressed.
  • Able to perform range and motion to any needed resident.
  • Able to change and make bed with resident in bed.

Waitress

Travel Center of America
Pleasant Prairie
08.2006 - 05.2008
  • Kept my area clean at all times.
  • Waitress.
  • Take orders and bust tables.

Poll Taker / Interviewer

Travel Center of America
Kenosha
09.2006 - 12.2007
  • Able to follow written and verbal instructions and meet deadlines on task.
  • Able to communicate effectively with customers.
  • Handle a variety of operational duties as assigned (i.e. cleaning duties, Interviewing, etc.).

Education

Some College (No Degree) - Nursing

Gateway Technical College
Kenosha, WI

Skills

  • Microsoft Office
  • CPR Certified
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Documentation
  • Powerpoint
  • Case Management
  • Hoyer lift operation
  • Stand-up lift operation
  • Manual wheelchair operation
  • Electric wheelchair operation
  • Initiative
  • Strong work ethics
  • Pride in performance
  • Ability to lift 150lbs
  • Ability to carry 120lbs
  • Speed and accuracy in work
  • Typing speed (30 wpm)
  • First Aid Certificate
  • Caring attitude
  • Sense of urgency
  • Patient care
  • Client engagement
  • Safety protocols
  • Anger de-escalation
  • Self-care promotion
  • Record keeping
  • Employee training
  • Mental health interventions
  • Active listening
  • Safety procedures

Personal Information

Work Permit: Authorized to work in the US for any employer

Additional Skills

  • Takes initiative, strong work ethics, pride in performance.
  • Able to hold up to 150lbs and carry 120lbs.
  • Speed and accuracy in work.
  • 30 wpm.
  • Earned First Aid Certificate.
  • Good caring and loving attitude.
  • Demonstrates a sense of urgency.

Certification

  • CPR certified
  • TCI & CPI intervention
  • CNA certified

Languages

English
Professional
Spanish
Limited
Creole
Professional

Timeline

Mental Health Technician

Lake Behavioral Hospital
03.2019 - Current

Mental Health Specialist

Allendale Association
01.2017 - Current

Certified Nurses Aide

Assured Healthcare
05.2010 - 01.2017

Certified Nursing Assistant

Society's Assets
06.2009 - 02.2011

Poll Taker / Interviewer

Travel Center of America
09.2006 - 12.2007

Waitress

Travel Center of America
08.2006 - 05.2008

Some College (No Degree) - Nursing

Gateway Technical College

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Sylvia Holterman