Debbie Smith
Elmore
Summary
Experienced and dependable general worker with a proven track record of efficiently completing tasks in various settings. Skilled in manual labor, equipment operation, and maintaining a clean and organized workspace. Safety-conscious with a strong work ethic and the ability to adapt to different environments. Ready to contribute to a dynamic team and make a positive impact. Highly-motivated employee with desire to take on new challenges. Strong work ethic, adaptability, and exceptional interpersonal skills. Adept at working effectively unsupervised and quickly mastering new skills.
Overview
42
42
years of professional experience
Work History
Community Living and Respite services
01.2018 - Current
- Currently supporting people with special needs in their residence on a casual basis
- Ensuring that everyone is supported in ways that are specific to their needs and requirements
- Displaying an understanding and respect of cultural and religious awareness
Customer service / Duty Manager
Elmore IGA
03.2015 - 07.2018
- Stocking of shelves and rotation of stock, restocking fruit and vegetables
- Supervising junior staff, locking up and emptying tills, cleaning and securing the building prior to shop closure
- These duties require the ability to be flexible in dealing with customer requests and confidence in dealing with conflict resolution
KIS worker (Elmore Pre-school)
Noah’s Ark
01.2015 - 12.2017
- Supporting a child with special needs adjust into the kindergarten environment and also prepare for commencement and transition to primary school
Attended Carer
Australian Homecare
01.1998 - 12.2016
- Provided personal help and support to elderly members of the local community;
- Assisted with house work and home maintenance;
- Provided respite care once a fortnight to families;
- Transport members to medical appointments
Personal Carer
Paraplegic and Quadraplegic Association of Victoria
01.1996 - 12.2016
- Provided personal care and support to people with varying degrees of spinal cord injury;
- Assisted individuals in achieving everyday activities, access services and specialist agencies;
- Supported and accompanied individuals on vacations, day activities and social outings
Retention Engagement officer
Goulburn Ovens Institute of Tafe – Seymour Campus
07.2013 - 12.2014
- Working in a welfare role to assist and liaise with students at risk of disengaging or discontinuing studies
- Advocating on behalf of students within the TAFE system as well as with generic agencies; speaking to professional and para professional staff
- Actively providing classroom support in VCAL classes, which also assisted me to build a rapport with students
- This lead to students feeling comfortable in seeking assistance from me
Adult Educator
Continuing Education Bendigo
07.2010 - 01.2012
- Researching, formulating course material and developing a program prior to conducting classes in the areas of Diploma of Community Services (Case Management) and Diploma of Community Services (Disabilities Studies)
Deb Smith Trainer/Educator
Transformations (currently Skills Training Australia)
01.2008 - 07.2010
- Worked as a consultant providing training in Certificate IV, Diploma and Advanced Diploma in Disabilities Studies throughout regional Victoria
Integration Aide
Elmore Primary School
01.2005 - 12.2007
- Supported the classroom teacher by translating set class room work into a format more easily understood and achieved by students with learning disabilities;
- Assisted students in personal, medical and individual development within the school setting;
- Liaised with parents and specialist staff;
- Introduced support equipment and aides in the development of the autonomy of the student;
- Educated and guided students in the development of acceptable interpersonal skills, for both the classroom and playground
Integration Aide
Elmore Pre-School
01.2004 - 12.2004
- Assisted and provided personal, medical and educational support to children with special needs
Consultant and Educator
DAS Developments
01.1996 - 12.2000
- Developed and delivered programs in the areas of Interpersonal Skills, Problem Solving, Conflict Resolution, Sexual Education and Health
Program Implementation Team Coordinator for the Statewide Forensic Program
Health and Community Services
01.1983 - 12.1996
- Management, coordination, and supervision of 4 staff members;
- Whilst being actively involved in the following service delivery;
- Case Management;
- Group and Individual Work;
- Client Transition and integration back into their district of origin;
- Regional Education;
- Support and Counseling of employees/clients/relatives and other associated professionals
- Client Education in; anger management, human relations, personal growth and development/sexual health and safety, substance abuse, protective behaviors, law in relation to self and others, accessing and liaising with generic agencies, visit and support clients in custody, devise, co-ordinate and facilitate/ co-facilitate programs specific to women’s programs needs
Mental Retardation Nurse
Kingsbury Center
01.1983 - 12.1985
- Worked with all the residential units, caring for, supporting and managing clients’ varying needs and behaviors;
- Direct care worker;
- Assisted with personal hygiene;
- Provided training in all areas of daily living skills;
- Provided entertainment and recreational activities;
- Managed challenging and aggressive behaviours;
- Communicated with clients who had a visual and/or auditory impairment
Unit and Deputy Unit Manger
Kingsbury Center (Secure Services Unit)
08.1983 - 11.1985
- Company Overview: This Unit was the first Program in Australia to provide a residence that addressed offending behaviors in a rehabilitation context
- Maintained a secure residential environment;
- Devised staff rosters;
- Managed unit and client funds;
- Monitored health and hygiene issues;
- Assisted clients in daily living skills;
- Dispensed medication and ordered pharmacy supplies;
- Formulated reports and assessments;
- Liaised with the Judicial System;
- Maintained communication and supported client’s families;
- Maintained programs and liaised with para-professionals regarding Antisocial Behavioral Services;
- Addressed human relations issues
- This Unit was the first Program in Australia to provide a residence that addressed offending behaviors in a rehabilitation context
Education
Certificate IV - Small Business Management
Continuing Education Bendigo
01.2010
Advanced Diploma - Disability Studies, Community Sector Management
Goulburn Ovens Institute of Tafe – Seymour Campus
01.2009
Graduate Diploma - Healing Therapies
01.1996
Mental Retardation Nursing Certificate -
Office of Corrections
01.1989
State Enrolled Nurse -
01.1987
Skills
- Training & Development
- Excellent communication
- Active listening
- Cultural awareness
- Organization and time management
- Analytical and critical thinking
- Supervision and leadership
- Attention to detail
- Analytical thinking
- Problem resolution
- Decision-making
- Data entry
- Customer relations
Hobbies and Interests
- Travel
- Camping
- Cooking/Baking
- Gardening
- Photography
- Reading
- Crafts
- Home Renovating and Decorating
Community Service
- President, Primary School Parent Club, 2010
- Member, Bendigo Blaze committee, 2009-2018
- Respite Foster Parent
References
- Kate Walley
- Statwide Clinical Nurse Consultant
- Victorian Paediatric Rehab Service
- The Royal Childrens Hospital
- 0438792628
Timeline
Community Living and Respite services
01.2018 - Current
Customer service / Duty Manager
Elmore IGA
03.2015 - 07.2018
KIS worker (Elmore Pre-school)
Noah’s Ark
01.2015 - 12.2017
Retention Engagement officer
Goulburn Ovens Institute of Tafe – Seymour Campus
07.2013 - 12.2014
Adult Educator
Continuing Education Bendigo
07.2010 - 01.2012
Deb Smith Trainer/Educator
Transformations (currently Skills Training Australia)
01.2008 - 07.2010
Integration Aide
Elmore Primary School
01.2005 - 12.2007
Integration Aide
Elmore Pre-School
01.2004 - 12.2004
Attended Carer
Australian Homecare
01.1998 - 12.2016
Personal Carer
Paraplegic and Quadraplegic Association of Victoria
01.1996 - 12.2016
Consultant and Educator
DAS Developments
01.1996 - 12.2000
Unit and Deputy Unit Manger
Kingsbury Center (Secure Services Unit)
08.1983 - 11.1985
Program Implementation Team Coordinator for the Statewide Forensic Program
Health and Community Services
01.1983 - 12.1996
Mental Retardation Nurse
Kingsbury Center
01.1983 - 12.1985
Certificate IV - Small Business Management
Continuing Education Bendigo
Advanced Diploma - Disability Studies, Community Sector Management
Goulburn Ovens Institute of Tafe – Seymour Campus
Graduate Diploma - Healing Therapies
Mental Retardation Nursing Certificate -
Office of Corrections