Theresa Christine Howard
AWC-Pathways
LATROBE
1
Certification
6
years of professional experience
Compassionate PCA with expertise in emotional support, behavioral management, and safety awareness. Proven ability to foster positive relationships and enhance clients' independence through personalized care and tailored support strategies.
Work History
PCA
5 Months- Managed challenging behaviors using de-escalation techniques, creating a calm atmosphere within the school setting.
- Promoted social interaction among students and staff within the education facility which enhanced overall quality of life.
- Maintained clean and safe environment to promote student safety and comfort.
- Assisted with feeding and monitored intake to help students achieve positive objectives.
- Assisted students with independent play and sharing techniques
Direct Support Professional
11 Months- Provided personalized care and support to individuals with disabilities, enhancing daily living skills.
- Assisted clients in achieving personal goals through tailored activity planning and implementation.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop and adjust individualized support plans based on client needs.
- Maintained accurate documentation of client progress and incidents, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
- Trained new staff on operational protocols and best practices for delivering effective direct support services.
- Implemented behavioral interventions to support client development and improve coping strategies in challenging situations.
- Fostered positive relationships with clients, promoting emotional well-being and social engagement activities.
- Assisted clients with daily living needs to maintain self-esteem and general wellness.
- Assisted with crisis intervention to de-escalate challenging behavior and maintain peaceful encounters.
- Enhanced quality of life for individuals with disabilities by providing compassionate and consistent direct support.
- Monitored medication administration, maintaining accurate records to ensure client safety and compliance with prescribed treatment plans.
- Assisted clients in achieving personal goals through tailored care plans and daily skill-building activities.
- Assisted disabled clients in supporting independence and well-being.
- Addressed emergency situations calmly and effectively, prioritizing the safety of both clients and staff members involved.
- Monitored progress and documented patient health status changes to keep care team updated.
Direct Support Professional
5 Years 3 Months- Supported clients with personal care tasks, ensuring their dignity and privacy were maintained at all times.
- Conducted regular assessments of client environments, ensuring safety and accessibility for all clients served.
- Documented progress notes thoroughly to track client achievements, concerns, or changes in behavior patterns that may need attention from the interdisciplinary team.
- Maintained clean, safe, and well-organized patient environment.
- Participated in ongoing training opportunities to stay current on best practices in disability support services.
- Provided ongoing communication between clients, families, and other service providers to enhance overall care coordination efforts.
- Facilitated social outings and community integration activities, promoting inclusion and positive experiences for clients.
- Promoted physical well-being by supporting clients in engaging in regular exercise routines or therapeutic activities suited to their abilities.
- Encouraged and supported clients to participate in recreational and leisure activities to promote social interactions and reduce loneliness.
- Improved client self-sufficiency through teaching essential skills such as meal preparation, housekeeping, and financial management.
- Advocated for clients'' rights within the broader community, raising awareness about issues affecting those with disabilities.
- Organized recreational events that encouraged relationship building among clients and increased their sense of belonging within the group home setting.
- Adapted activities and support strategies to meet changing needs of clients, demonstrating flexibility and creativity.
- Encouraged healthy lifestyles through nutritional planning and physical activities, improving clients' overall well-being.
- Worked with client on life skills, such as, making bed,picking out their clothes for the day, dressing themselves with assistance, doing their laundry with my assistance, setting goals and daily task chart to build independence.
Home Health Aide
4 Years- Monitored vital signs and reported changes to healthcare team promptly.
- Administered medications as prescribed, adhering to safety protocols.
- Helped patients maintain personal hygiene through bathing, grooming, and toileting assistance when necessary for dignity preservation.
- Maintained a clean and safe home environment for patients, reducing falls and accidents.
- Assisted clients with daily living activities, enhancing their independence and quality of life.
- Performed laundry, grocery shopping and other light housekeeping duties as instructed by client.
- Assisted patients with dressing, grooming and feeding needs, helping to overcome, and adapt to mobility restrictions.
- Improved patient well-being by providing compassionate and attentive personal care.
- Assisted with meal planning and preparation according to dietary restrictions, meeting nutritional needs while adhering to personal preferences.
- Provided mobility assistance such as walking and regular exercising.
- Traveled to clients' homes to complete healthcare services and promote continuity of care.
- Followed nutritional plans to prepare optimal meals.
- Completed thorough documentation of patient care activities, maintaining accurate records for effective communication amongst the healthcare team.
- Safely transferred patients using appropriate equipment such as Hoyer lifts or gait belts minimizing injury risks.
Department Manager
1 Year 3 Months- Oversaw daily operations, enhancing workflow efficiency and team productivity.
- Managed inventory levels, ensuring optimal stock availability and reducing discrepancies.
- Developed training programs to improve employee performance and retention rates.
- Implemented cost-saving initiatives, streamlining processes across departments.
- Collaborated with other departments to ensure seamless coordination in achieving company-wide objectives.
- Improved customer satisfaction rates through attentive service, prompt issue resolution, and continuous process improvements.
- Maintained a professional work environment by addressing conflicts proactively and fostering open communication among staff members.
- Enhanced department efficiency by streamlining processes and implementing time-saving strategies.
- Assisted in organizing and overseeing assignments to drive operational excellence.
Education
High School Diploma
- Extracurricular Activities: [Activity]
Skills
Personal hygiene assistance
Mobility support
Nutrition monitoring
Compassionate support
Emergency response
CPR certification
Nutritional planning
Behavioral management
Emotional support
Compassionate care
First aid training
Patient care techniques
Accomplishments
- Achieved DSP 1& 2 Certification by completing NADSP with accuracy and efficiency.
- Earned my Medication Administration Standard Student Course of 17.5 hours
- Earned my Adult and Pediatric CPR/First Aide/AED Certificate
- I earned my Comprehensive Crisis Management Training
- I have my Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Certification
- I took training and continue to take training within my Relias, such as, Person-Centered Thinking, Choice Making For individuals With IDD, Rights of Individuals with IDD, HIPPA Laws and Regulations, as well as many others
Certification
- CNA - Certified Nursing Assistant
- CMT - Certified Medication Technician
- Certified DSP 1 &2, Pathways - 2024&2025
- HHA
- F
- Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED
- Comprehensive Crisis Management
Timeline
PCA
Amergis Staffing
03.2026 - CurrentRead More
Direct Support Professional
Passavant Memorial Homes
09.2025 - CurrentRead More
Home Health Aide
Aveanna Health Care
06.2021 - 06.2025Read More
Direct Support Professional
AWC-Pathways
05.2021 - CurrentRead More
Department Manager
Gabes, Gabriel Brothers
03.2020 - 06.2021Read More
Greater Latrobe High School
High School Diploma
Read More