Portia H.

About Portia

Professional caregiver with outstanding patience and a caring mindset with seasoned experience working with diverse populations of children, adults and elders in collaboration with their families to meet Care Plan needs. I am proud to have dedicated over 20 years of combined experience as an educator, an advocate for rescue service animals and also as a caregiver continuing to respond to the needs of care recipients in order to better their daily lives by improving and sustaining their self-determination and independent living capability. My personal passion is empowering others through service and in doing so living a purpose filled life. My expertise is in behavior modification strategies utilized in assisting clients challenged with neurological impairments including Dementia, Parkinson's (PD) and Autism (ASD) with anxiety reduction and increased ease of routine activities. Competent in assisting clients with limited mobility, speech and hearing deficits. I have experience using mechanical mobility equipment - including Hoyer lifts as well as adaptive communication devices and American Sign Language (ASL).

Caregiving Services & Expertise

Experience & Education

Caregiver

Apr 2021 - May 2021

Home Instead

Provide quality and competent in-home overnight care for clients diagnosed with terminal illness (hospice) or other medical condition requiring need of 24/7 care. Perform all tasks with compassion and professionalism to ensure respect and dignity is maintained for care recipient. Observe, monitor and conduct readings of vital statistics for recording on flow sheet and reporting any abnormal changes to supervisor and family; perform all tasks outlined in Care Plan including but not limited to medication reminders, repositioning, feeding, toileting (commode, urinal or catheter bag maintenance); physical therapy exercises; light housekeeping; companionship and respite for family. Adhere to COVID-19 safeguards as well as HIPAA and Physician's Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) guidelines in keeping with client's continuity of care for ensuring safety, personal rights and wishes.

Apr 2021 - May 2021

ABA Technician

Jan 2021 - Mar 2021

Center for Autism and Related Disorders (C.A.R.D.)

Worked under the direct supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) to implement 1:1 positive reinforcement behavioral intervention therapy primarily focused on Direct Trial Teaching (DTT) - on a schedule rotation for clients aged pre-k to teens diagnosed with Autism and related cognitive impairment, disabilities or challenges. Developed a personable and professional rapport with each client and their care circle to promote a safe learning environment build upon trust and dignity to facilitate various activities in different settings to promote skill acquisition in areas of ADL self care (personal hygiene, dressing and feeding), social interaction and language development; conducted electronic data collection and monitoring of daily progress for accurate reporting. Complied with HIPAA guidelines and Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) Code of Ethical Conduct for safeguarding client and family Personal Health Information as service recipients.

Jan 2021 - Mar 2021

ABA Technician

Jul 2019 - Jan 2020

Dreamship

Worked under the direct supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) to implement 1:1 positive reinforcement behavioral intervention therapy - primarily focused on Natural Environment Teaching (NET) - on a schedule rotation for clients aged pre-k to teens diagnosed with Autism and related cognitive impairment, disabilities or challenges. Developed a personable and professional rapport with each client and their care circle to promote a safe learning environment build upon trust and dignity to facilitate various activities in different settings to promote skill acquisition in areas of ADL self care (personal hygiene, dressing and feeding), social interaction and language development; conducted electronic data collection and monitoring of daily progress for accurate reporting. Complied with HIPAA guidelines and Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) Code of Ethical Conduct for safeguarding client and family Personal Health Information as service recipients.

Jul 2019 - Jan 2020

Caregiver

Jan 2016 - Dec 2019

Comfort Keepers

Provided compassionate care and meaningful engagement through companionship as a professional caregiver for seniors in various environments (in-home aide, assisted living, nursing home facilities and hospice care) in compliance with HIPAA and agency protocol as well as guidelines provided in accordance to the respective client Care Plan. Assisted clients with mobility transitions, transfers and repositioning as needed (using mechanical lifts, gait belts, walkers, strollers and/or wheelchairs); ADL self-care tasks (meal prep and personal hygiene) and medication reminders. Performed pharmacy errands and light housekeeping maintenance; provided transport to medical appointments - tracked and documented client's daily health condition and reported changes accordingly. Complied with safeguards to honor privacy and confidentiality of PHI and facilitated recreational and physical exercise activities that encouraged the overall well-being and independence of each client in keeping with their care plan and respecting the individual cultural traditions, values and personal wishes of care recipients.

Jan 2016 - Dec 2019

Yoga Teacher | Adaptive Chair Yoga for Seniors

Apr 2019 - Dec 2019

Preston Pointe | Retirement Community

Provided weekly 45-minute gathering of Chair Yoga for Seniors to promote community connection; physical health (balance, flexibility, strength and increased circulation). Offered a 30-minute guided class of Yoga for participants to socialize with fellow residents and have inclusive access to wellness adapted for the needs of adults 65 and older. Each class provided a sequence of movements geared for ease and comfort that built upon the foundations of intentional breathing exercises to build momentum of movements with mindfulness in performing body mechanics focused on alignment of toes facing forward, feet hip width apart, weight balanced between both feet and observing body signals for ease and adjustments when conducting movements in class and throughout the day. Classes began with a warm-up sequence of flexion and extension exercises for the upper and lower body. Guided participants in an awareness of breath, basic alignment, gentle stretches of modified poses for focus on posture and to strengthen joint muscles specifically. Each class ended with a 10 minute guided meditation with 5 minutes for questions or socializing afterward.

Apr 2019 - Dec 2019

Front Desk Receptionist

Aug 2014 - Aug 2016

Evolve Movement Yoga & Pilates Studio

Provided welcoming greeting to guests; maintained clean environment (light housekeeping - sweeping, dusting and laundry); provided tours of facility; managed multiple line phone system answering inquires about services, classes and retail merchandise; updated client database with health history records and class subscriptions. Followed policy and procedures to protect the privacy of client ePHI.

Aug 2014 - Aug 2016

North Carolina State University

Jan 2016 - Jan 2016

Raleigh, NC

Jan 2016 - Jan 2016

Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health

Jan 2016 - Jan 2016

Stockbridge, MA

Jan 2016 - Jan 2016

School Librarian

Aug 2003 - Jun 2014

Public and Private School Systems

Began my career as a School Media Specialist (Librarian) at The Parkside School in NYC from 2003-2006; Las Cruces Public School System from 2006-2007; Wake County Public School System from 2008-2014.

Aug 2003 - Jun 2014

Student

Aug 2002 - Dec 2003

Long Island University -C. W. Post Campus

Completed Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) | Graduating with Honors | 3.83 GPA

Aug 2002 - Dec 2003

Long Island University - C W Post Campus

Jan 2002 - Jan 2003

Brookville, NY

Jan 2002 - Jan 2003

Student

Sep 1998 - May 2001

New York University - School of Professional Studies

Completed Bachelor of Arts in Humanities | Graduating with Honors | 3.5 GPA

Sep 1998 - May 2001

New York University

Jan 1998 - Jan 2001

New York, NY

Jan 1998 - Jan 2001

Stay-at-Home Mom

May 1995 - Sep 1998

Family Caregiver

I took a leave of absence from the workplace to care for my daughter after she was born. While caring for her, I continued my ASL training as an on-call employee with Beacon of Hope House. Once my daughter was hold enough to attend pre-school, I went back to school to complete my Bachelors and Master's degree.

May 1995 - Sep 1998

Caregiver| Residential Facility Case Manager

Apr 1994 - Apr 1996

Beacon Of Hope House

Provided competent case management in adherence to NY State Office of Mental Health and the CCCS policy and procedures for deaf adult residents with cognitive challenges in a group resident facility. Collaborated with case managers and care team in following the comprehensive service plan for working with residents to attain or improve self care tasks involving Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and community life skills for developing and maintaining independence. Acted as advocacy liaison and ASL interpreter within the community when escorting clients to/from services that included medical, psychiatric and day programs. Distributed meals, medication, performed light housekeeping and ensured the cleanliness of a multiple bed facility and overall safety of residents. Maintained records and documentation of health history and progress reports for clients as assigned.

Apr 1994 - Apr 1996

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