ZORORO. V NDORO
Poughkeepsie
Summary
A dedicated and strategic-thinking Mental Health Professional with over 5 years of experience in clinical, private, and government sectors. Currently based in New York, specializing in intensive support for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Expert in administering neurocognitive tests, implementing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, and managing complex behavioral intervention plans. Passionate about community health, disability advocacy, and improving outcomes for patients with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Direct Support Professional
Anderson Center for Autism
05.2025 - Current
- Provide high-level individualized support for persons with ASD, focusing on daily living, hygiene, and routines.
- Implement Positive Behavior Support (PBS) strategies and execute complex Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs).
- Utilize assistive communication tools (PECS) and visual aids to enhance social interaction for non-verbal residents.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams (doctors, therapists, teachers) to ensure continuity of care and safety.
- Assist individuals in developing communication and social interaction skills using tools such as visual aids, PECS, or assistive communication devices.
- Support emotional regulation and provide calm, reassuring responses during behavioral challenges or sensory overloads.
- Collect and document behavioral, progress, and incident data accurately.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including therapists, teachers, and healthcare professionals to ensure consistent care.
- Facilitate skill-building activities related to academic, vocational, and community participation.
- Maintain a safe, clean, and supportive environment at all times.
- Advocate for the rights, dignity, and inclusion of individuals with developmental disabilities.
- Participate in ongoing staff training and professional development related to autism care and crisis intervention.
- Encourage and model positive social behaviors during community outings and group activities.
- Support individuals in achieving personalized goals outlined in their care or behavior plans.
Field Officer
Sober Life Mentorship Society
01.2024 - 02.2025
- Developed comprehensive treatment plans and provided individual/group counseling for clients with disabilities.
- Managed fieldwork resources and inspected delivery sites to ensure appropriateness of care conditions.
- Advocated for the rights of people with mental disabilities to live and work within the community.
- Collecting samples, where possible, for subsequent inspection.
- Inputting data into suitable software and then arranging this to facilitate analysis. ∙ Extracting and reporting on data-driven conclusions for each salient undertaking.
- Provide individual and group counseling to help clients adjust to their disability ∙ Evaluate clients’ abilities, interests, experiences, skills, health, and education
- Develop a treatment plan for clients, in consultation with other professionals, such as doctors, therapists, and psychologists
- Arrange for clients to obtain services, such as medical care or career training
- Help employers understand the needs and abilities of people with disabilities, as well as laws and resources that affect people with disabilities
- Help clients develop their strengths and adjust to their limitations
- Maintain client records and monitor clients’ progress, adjusting the rehabilitation or treatment plan as necessary
- Advocate for the rights of people with mental disabilities to live in a community and work in the job of their choice
Psycho-social Support Officer
Regional Psycho-Social Support Initiative
03.2023 - 03.2024
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Delivered person-centered care that promotes dignity, choice, independence, and wellbeing.
- Supported clients with activities of daily living (ADLs), including personal care, hygiene, mobility, meals, and household tasks.
- Applied positive behavior support and de-escalation strategies to manage challenging behaviors safely and effectively.
- Assisted with medication support in accordance with individual care plans and organizational policies.
- Maintained health and safety standards, including risk management, infection control, and incident reporting.
- Communicated effectively with clients, families, and multidisciplinary teams to ensure continuity of care.
- Completed accurate documentation, including progress notes, care records, and incident reports.
- Provided emotional and social support, encouraging community participation and independence.
- Worked collaboratively within residential support teams to achieve individual goals and service outcomes.
- Demonstrated cultural awareness and professionalism, delivering
Research Assistant
Silverspring Psychology Counseling & Wellness Centre
01.2018 - 12.2020
- Assisted clinicians in screening stroke and ABI patients using Mini-Mental State Examinations (MMSE).
- Managed data capturing and administrative compliance for new research assistants and patient intake.
- Generating offer letter and other related documents.
- Conducting the New Orientation Program for all the new research assistants.
- Validating & checking the necessary documents & ensuring that all the documents are as per company compliance standards.
- Screening of stroke patients
- Assisting clinicians in testing patients with ABI and TBI (stroke)
- Data capturing and administering screening test like Mini Mental examination and the Patient health questionnaire.
- Follow up of patients and home visits
- Clerical work
- Screening clients via telephonic interview.
- Documentation and filling of related documents.
- Assisting in Admin related work if required.
- Attending meetings to do monthly budgets
- Translation of research tools
- Data collection
Psychology Intern
Parirenyatwa Psychiatric Unit (Annexe)
07.2016 - 07.2017
- Supported a Registered Child Clinical Psychologist in delivering ABA therapy in an in-patient ward.
- Facilitated lectures on mental disorders and conducted history-taking for new patients.
- Complete administrative tasks including, but not limited to, maintaining case records, documenting all clients contacts, and meeting deadlines, responding to outside agency queries regarding client information.
- Develop and implement follow-up studies to determine program effectiveness
- Coordinate with appropriate parties on client’s treatment (that is, schools, Social Services, probation department)
- Provide clients with information and educational community activities to combat substance abuse, mental health issues
- Create a treatment plan for clients, modify on an ongoing basis in reflection of their progress in therapy and prepare them for the completion of their treatment
Education
BSc Honours Degree - Psychology
Midlands State University
01.2018
DIPLOMA IN MENTAL HEALTH, RECOVERY AND COMMUNITY - Mental Health
World Health Organization
Online Certificate 01-2023
Skills
- Behavioral intervention strategies
- Crisis intervention and counseling expertise
- Webinar and workshop facilitation
- Health and safety documentation management
Certification
- Diploma in Mental Health, Recovery and Community Inclusion – World Health Organization (2023)
- Care Certificate – Florence Academy (2022)
- Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) Certification – Alison (2023)
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS & STRENGTHS
Languages: Fluent in English, Shona, and Xhosa.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS & STRENGTHS
- Adaptability: Proven ability to work in multi-cultural environments (Zimbabwe and USA).
- Technical: Skilled in data analysis software and digital communication for healthcare delivery.
Timeline
Direct Support Professional
Anderson Center for Autism
05.2025 - Current
Field Officer
Sober Life Mentorship Society
01.2024 - 02.2025
Psycho-social Support Officer
Regional Psycho-Social Support Initiative
03.2023 - 03.2024
Research Assistant
Silverspring Psychology Counseling & Wellness Centre
01.2018 - 12.2020
Psychology Intern
Parirenyatwa Psychiatric Unit (Annexe)
07.2016 - 07.2017
BSc Honours Degree - Psychology
Midlands State University
DIPLOMA IN MENTAL HEALTH, RECOVERY AND COMMUNITY - Mental Health
World Health Organization