Tara McDonald
Peekskill
Summary
Recent graduate of Occupational Therapy with foundational knowledge in education and hands-on experience gained through academic projects and internships. Experienced in applying knowledge of learning styles, human development, motor skills, and sensory processing to create client-centered approaches and goals. Passionate about adopting a holistic approach and building strong relationships with clients. Excelled in creating intervention plans and modifications to adapt to diverse client needs. Eager to start career and make meaningful contributions with commitment to lifelong learning.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Companion Caregiver
09.2023 - Current
- Assisted clients with daily living needs to maintain self-esteem and general wellness.
- Assisted with dressing guidance, grooming, meal preparation, and medication reminders.
- Engaged patients in meaningful conversation, socialization, and activity while providing personal care assistance.
- Provided safe mobility support to help patients move around personal and public spaces.
- Transported individuals to events and activities, medical appointments, and shopping trips.
Occupational Therapist Student
Ivy Rehab for Kids
05.2024 - 08.2024
- Performed evaluations and assessments to develop client-centered goals and interventions for individual patients.
- Provided interventions and treatments to improve patient abilities to perform daily activities, manage symptoms, and prevent injury.
- Established compassionate and caring relationships with patients.
- Provided education to caregivers and families to understand conditions and promote carryover at home.
- Adapted environmental and task-specific factors to meet individual abilities and needs.
- Managed time by completing documentation efficiently.
Occupational Therapist Aide
New York Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital
01.2023 - 05.2023
- Answered telephones and performed clerical duties to maintain smooth operations.
- Protected patient and personnel safety by cleaning work areas and disinfecting equipment after treatments.
- Created client and caregiver educational handouts on home exercise programs and safety precautions.
- Supported and built caring relationships with patients and staff.
Teacher
Coventry High School
09.2022 - 05.2023
- Developed lesson plans that incorporated mandated topics and included immersive activities for student engagement.
- Cultivated positive relationships with administration, teaching staff, parents, and students.
- Monitored student progress to provide feedback on assignments and guidance on areas requiring improvement.
- Promoted positive and productive learning environment to increase engagement and rapport with students and teachers.
- Facilitated group activities and one-on-one instruction to meet individual student needs.
- Adapted teaching methods and materials to meet students' varying needs.
- Communicated frequently with parents, students, and faculty to provide feedback and discuss instructional strategies.
Student Teacher
Coventry High School
09.2021 - 05.2022
- Created and implemented different learning activities to meet needs of different types of learners.
- Encouraged critical thinking and problem solving skills to enable students to step out of comfort zone.
- Created lessons and online testing materials to facilitate remote learning.
- Shifted between formal and informal methods of teaching to keep students engaged.
- Helped students explore concepts with engaging, learning-focused activities.
- Completed student progress reports mid-term to notify students and parents of strengths and areas of improvement.
Student Teacher
Charette High School
01.2021 - 05.2021
- Collaborated with classroom teacher to plan and implement personalized lesson plans to achieve instructional goals and objectives.
- Assisted in creating and administering tests and other assessments to evaluate student progress.
- Assisted with management of classroom rules, procedures and expectations..
Education
Master of Science - Occupational Therapy
Ithaca College
Ithaca, NY08-2025
Bachelor of Arts - English
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI05-2022
Bachelor of Arts - Secondary Education
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI05-2022
Skills
- Goal setting
- Client-centered
- Creative and resourceful
- Empathetic and compassionate
- Collaboration
- Patient rapport building
- Family and patient education
- Case management
- Problem-solving
Certification
- Licensed Occupational Therapist - New York Board Certification in Occupational Therapy: Expected August 2024
- Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT): Grades 7-12 (5624)
- Praxis English Language Arts: Content Knowledge (5038)
- American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED
- Alzheimer's Association Community Representative
Timeline
Occupational Therapist Student
Ivy Rehab for Kids
05.2024 - 08.2024
Companion Caregiver
09.2023 - Current
Occupational Therapist Aide
New York Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital
01.2023 - 05.2023
Teacher
Coventry High School
09.2022 - 05.2023
Student Teacher
Coventry High School
09.2021 - 05.2022
Student Teacher
Charette High School
01.2021 - 05.2021
Master of Science - Occupational Therapy
Ithaca College
Bachelor of Arts - English
University of Rhode Island
Bachelor of Arts - Secondary Education
University of Rhode Island
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