Melissa Harrison
Bethlehem
Summary
Compassionate professional with 3 years of direct support and production lead experience at Associated Production Services. Proven ability to enhance client well-being through effective communication and teamwork. Skilled in Senior care with meal preparation, companionship, and running errands while fostering community participation with both Aps clients and Homecare. I excel in supportive environments that lead with compassion and Integrety and also ones that promote growth and stability for individuals with diverse needs.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Volunteer Homeless Outreach
Calvary Chapel Lehigh Valley
01.2015 - Current
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Proven ability to learn and adapt to new situations.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Feed, Cloth and Minister to the needs of others
Production Lead/Direct Care Worker
Associated Production Services
06.2022 - 07.2025
- Worked with a team of efficient production workers, ensuring timely completion of tasks and adherence to safety protocols.
- Maintained safe work areas by keeping pathways and stations free of hazards and excess waste or materials.
- production efficiency with streamlining processes .
- Trained clients on new jobs
- Set up workstations to ensure clients had consistent work throughout the day
- Deescalating triggers and emotional meltdowns
- Monitored workers on site during production activities for safety procedures compliance.
- Community Participation
- Making sure the clients are safe and goals are being met during Community Participation
- Participated in safety training programs to maintain a thorough understanding of best practices
- Monitored client activities to verify consistent use of good principles.
- Operated equipment such as an electric pallet jack to safely move heavy loads.
- Open communication between team members, fostering a positive work environment
- Made sure that products were produced on time and are of good quality.
Volunteer Music Therapy and Comfort for Hospice
Eileen Aupaul
03.2021 - 07.2021
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Would provide Hospice patients with Music, singing and conversation.
Personal Care Assistant
Right At Home Care
08.2019 - 12.2020
- Assisted clients with daily living needs to maintain self-esteem and general wellness.
- Assisted with feeding and monitored intake to help patients achieve nutritional objectives.
- Assisted with positioning clients, ensuring proper body mechanics to reduce the risk of injury for both parties.
- Built strong relationships with clients to deliver emotional support and companionship.
- Improved client comfort by providing exceptional personal care and maintaining a clean, safe environment.
- Engaged patients in meaningful conversation, socialization, and activity while providing personal care assistance.
- Assisted with dressing guidance, grooming, meal preparation, and medication reminders.
- Transported individuals to events and activities, medical appointments, and shopping trips.
Foster Care Provider
Northampton County
04.2014 - 06.2019
- Maintained open communication with caseworkers and support teams to ensure that the needs of each child were being met effectively.
- Managed daily routines and schedules, fostering consistency and stability in the life of foster child
- Established clear boundaries within the home environment that promoted respect for themselves and others.
- Reduced problem behaviors with positive reinforcement and supportive techniques.
- Helped reunify birth families through coordinated visitation strategies.
- Transported child to extracurricular activities and medical appointments.
- Supported education of children under care through consistent attendance to school and attentiveness to homework assignments.
- Improved children's health by preparing healthy meals and snacks.
Assistant Teacher Volunteer
School of Creative Arts
08.2016 - 06.2018
- Established a positive preschool classroom environment that fostered mutual respect and collaboration among students.
- Served as a mentor to new volunteers, modeling effective teaching strategies and providing guidance throughout their onboarding process.
- Provided one-on-one support to preschoolers struggling with coursework, resulting in significant improvement in their academic performance.
- Worked with teacher to identify and target opportunities for instructional improvements.
- Worked with teachers to design lesson plans and coordinate activities for classes.
Personal Care Assistant
Saucon Valley Manor
01.2005 - 09.2006
- Assisted clients with daily living needs to maintain self-esteem and general wellness.
- Assisted with transferring and positioning clients, ensuring proper body mechanics to reduce the risk of injury for both parties.
- Built strong relationships with clients to deliver emotional support and companionship.
- Enhanced client well-being by assisting with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and grooming.
Education
High School Diploma -
Catasauqua High School
Catasauqua, PA06-1997
Skills
- Direct Support experience
- High functioning Autism/IDD experience
- Community Participation
- Meal Prep
- Senior care
- Companion
- Teacher Assistant experience
- Childcare in home
- Friendly, positive attitude
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Customer service
- Dependable and responsible
- Multitasking Abilities
- Organizational skills
- Verbal communication to deesculate
Timeline
Production Lead/Direct Care Worker
Associated Production Services
06.2022 - 07.2025
Volunteer Music Therapy and Comfort for Hospice
Eileen Aupaul
03.2021 - 07.2021
Personal Care Assistant
Right At Home Care
08.2019 - 12.2020
Assistant Teacher Volunteer
School of Creative Arts
08.2016 - 06.2018
Volunteer Homeless Outreach
Calvary Chapel Lehigh Valley
01.2015 - Current
Foster Care Provider
Northampton County
04.2014 - 06.2019
Personal Care Assistant
Saucon Valley Manor
01.2005 - 09.2006
High School Diploma -
Catasauqua High School
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