Vanessa Cervantes
Yoakum,TX
Summary
Dedicated personal care assistant with a solid track record in assisting patients with diverse disabilities. Expertise in evaluating patient needs and implementing safety measures for convalescent individuals. Acknowledged for high-quality, individualized care that enhances patient well-being. Experienced Youth Care Professional adept at offering emotional support and supervision to at-risk youth, with a focus on behavior management and crisis resolution.
Youth care professional with focus on delivering impactful support and guidance to young individuals. Expertise in creating nurturing environments and addressing emotional and behavioral needs. Highly collaborative team player, adaptable to changing circumstances, and committed to achieving positive outcomes through effective communication and empathy.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Youth Care Professional
Devereux Advanced Behavioural Health
Victoria, TX
10.2023 - Current
- Mentored and supported young people through collaborative activities and social programs.
- Attended regular trainings related to mental health issues such as trauma-informed care or child abuse recognition.
- Provided emotional support to clients during difficult times while maintaining professional boundaries.
- Supported and encouraged academic performance to help youth achieve educational goals.
- Maintained cleanliness of youth facilities and rooms.
- Provided crisis intervention and support during emotional or behavioral incidents.
- Monitored activities and maintained safe living and learning environment for youth to thrive.
- Documented child progress, reporting extreme changes in behavior.
- Encouraged positive social skills development through role modeling and guidance.
- Supervised daily activities and ensured a safe environment for all youth.
- Assisted youths in developing personal goals and plans for future independence.
- Transported youth to appointments or recreational activities as needed.
- Created a safe environment by enforcing rules while using therapeutic approaches when necessary.
- Encouraged positive behaviors through role modeling, mentorship, and reward systems.
- Worked with care team to assess client needs and discuss collaborative treatment efforts.
Caregiver
Daybreak Community Services
Victoria, TX
09.2019 - 10.2023
- Monitored health and well-being of clients and reported significant health changes.
- Observed changes in behavior or physical condition that may require medical attention and reported them promptly to supervisor.
- Encouraged independence while promoting self-care skills such as bathing, grooming and toileting needs.
- Planned and prepared healthy meals and snacks for clients and provided assistance with eating when necessary.
- Transported clients to doctor appointments and other errands using wheelchair accessible vehicles.
- Created safe and positive living situations for clients by communicating with family and other staff about concerns or challenges.
- Improved patient outlook and daily living through compassionate care.
- Followed care plan and directions to administer medications.
Private Caregiver
Self-employeed
Yoakum, TX
04.2017 - 08.2019
- Supervised medication administration, personal hygiene and other activities of daily living.
- Assisted with physical therapy exercises designed by a physical therapist or occupational therapist.
- Monitored vital signs and medication use, documenting variances, and concerning responses.
- Transported patient to medical, dental and personal care appointments.
- Administered prescribed medications according to physician instructions and monitored for adverse reactions.
- Maintained clean and well-organized environment for client happiness and safety.
- Planned and prepared nutritious meals and snacks to meet diabetic, low sodium and high protein diets.
- Collaborated with physicians, nurses, family members and other healthcare professionals to ensure quality patient care.
Activity Assistant
Yoakum Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
Yoakum, TX
11.2014 - 04.2017
- Provided assistance to residents with physical limitations during recreational activities.
- Helped organize special events such as birthday parties or holiday gatherings.
- Organized and maintained activity supplies and materials.
- Coordinated transportation arrangements for off-site excursions.
- Conducted one-on-one activities with residents who require special attention.
- Coordinated musical guests, movies and other types of resident entertainment.
- Organized game nights with board games or trivia competitions.
- Monitored resident behavior during recreational activities to ensure safety.
- Helped participants enjoy activities while ensuring adherence to protocol.
- Developed events and programs in consideration of needs, abilities and interests of participants.
- Assisted in the planning and implementation of activities for residents.
Education
High School Diploma -
Yoakum High School
Yoakum, TX05-2015
Skills
- Crisis intervention
- Trauma-informed care
- Behavior management
- Documenting progress
- Mentoring youth
- Team collaboration
- Activity planning
- Conflict resolution
- Positive reinforcement
- Emotional support
- Goal setting
- Communication skills
- Behavioral specialist
- Youth advocacy
- Multitasking
- ADL assistance
- Verbal and written communication skills
- Direct care aide (DCA)
- CPR/AED
Affiliations
I love staying home and reading a good mystery book on my free time. I also love being around family, family gatherings are very important to me.
Certification
- CPR
- AED
Languages
Spanish
Full Professional
Education and Training
other
Timeline
Youth Care Professional
Devereux Advanced Behavioural Health
10.2023 - Current
Caregiver
Daybreak Community Services
09.2019 - 10.2023
Private Caregiver
Self-employeed
04.2017 - 08.2019
Activity Assistant
Yoakum Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
11.2014 - 04.2017
High School Diploma -
Yoakum High School