Kate Merchant
Gold Coast,Queensland
Summary
Knowledgeable and dedicated professional with extensive experience in engaging with a diverse range of clients across industries including healthcare, community services and justice. Bringing a high standard of communication skills with an empathetic, caring demeanour and resilience under pressure. Strong foundations in professional conduct and analytical problem-solving skills, with a genuine passion for helping others. Extensive experience in time management and prioritising workloads to achieve goals and confident working in a team or independently. Committed to maintaining professional relationships to
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Professional Dog Groomer
Self-employeed
10.2022 - Current
- Owner and operator of mobile dog grooming business.
- Contributed to client retention by consistently providing outstanding customer service to both clients and pets.
- Successfully built a large client base.
- Responsible for all aspects of business management and day to day running.
- Trained and managed staff of one.
- Greeted pet owners and went over available services, outlined costs, and determined special needs of animals under care.
Child Protection Caseworker
Department Of Communities & Justice
04.2017 - 02.2022
- Managed caseloads of 11 children and families, requiring complex problem solving to achieve positive resolutions.
- Worked in collaboration with 15 internal and external multi-disciplinary teams systems to deliver services and supports for children, young people and families within legislative framework.
- Identified best permanency goals for 7 children and successfully oversaw and completed processes to have their orders changed.
Allied Health Assistant, Sub-Acute Program
NSW Health
04.2017 - 08.2018
- Key role in implementing pilot Sub-Acute inpatient program, working with a team of 10 Allied Health professionals developing treatment plans inpatients.
- Achieved positive outcomes for over 80 patients that included improved functional and cognitive capacity, shorter hospital stays and safer transitions home.
Sleep Technician
Port Macquarie Chest & Sleep Clinic
08.2016 - 08.2018
- Solely responsible for managing sleep clinic and conducting overnight sleep studies for 3 patients per night, requiring investigation, problem solving and resolution.
Early Childhood Development Teacher
Gymbaroo Canberra
01.2013 - 12.2015
- Engaging classes of 22 children and parents ranging in ages 9 weeks to 7 years to learn key skills for early childhood development.
- Collaborating with a team of 5 education professionals to create class programs and activities that were structured to enrich positive development outcomes.
- Developing and incorporating strategies for children with disabilities and learning difficulties to enhance outcomes.
Raising a Family
Self employed
09.2009 - 12.2012
Registered Nurse
National Capital Private Hospital
01.2008 - 08.2009
- Specialising in neurosurgery, working as an integral part of a team of 8 medical and health professionals to establish a state of the art cranial surgery program at National Capital Private Hospital,
- Managing several different roles within the surgical team to achieve successful outcomes in high pressure environments across numerous specialities.
Raising a Family.
Self Employed
07.2004 - 01.2008
Dental Receptionist
Manuka Dental Care
01.2004 - 06.2004
- Supporting a team of 8 practitioners in busy dental practice providing customer service to clients, use of various computer programs and payroll systems and sterilisation of instruments.
Education
Professional Development Program - Child Protection
Department Of Communities & Justice
Sydney NSW2019
Bachelor of Clinical Practice (Paramedic) - Paramedicine
Charles Sturt University
Port Macquarie03.2017
Bachelor of Paramedic Science - Health Sciences
Central Queensland University
Rockhampton QLD2016
Bachelor of Nursing - Health And Medical
University Of Technology
Sydney NSW12.1999
Executive Business Certificate - Business
June Dally-Watkins Business Finishing College
Sydney NSW12.1995
Skills
- Articulate verbal and written communication
- Ability to multitask
- Accurate information Documentation
- Composed and adaptable under pressure
- Complex problem-solving
- Managing workload priorities
- Attention to Detail
- Computer proficient
- Client needs assessment
- Training development aptitude
Accomplishments
- Collaborated with team of 10 in the development of a Sub-Acute Care Program for NSW Health
- Collaborated with a team of 8 to implement cranial surgery at a major private hospital.
- Achieved successful outcomes for over 80 clients through documenting, analysing and resolving issues within a health care setting.
- Supervised team of 4 staff members.
Timeline
Professional Dog Groomer
Self-employeed
10.2022 - Current
Allied Health Assistant, Sub-Acute Program
NSW Health
04.2017 - 08.2018
Child Protection Caseworker
Department Of Communities & Justice
04.2017 - 02.2022
Sleep Technician
Port Macquarie Chest & Sleep Clinic
08.2016 - 08.2018
Early Childhood Development Teacher
Gymbaroo Canberra
01.2013 - 12.2015
Raising a Family
Self employed
09.2009 - 12.2012
Registered Nurse
National Capital Private Hospital
01.2008 - 08.2009
Raising a Family.
Self Employed
07.2004 - 01.2008
Dental Receptionist
Manuka Dental Care
01.2004 - 06.2004
Professional Development Program - Child Protection
Department Of Communities & Justice
Bachelor of Clinical Practice (Paramedic) - Paramedicine
Charles Sturt University
Bachelor of Paramedic Science - Health Sciences
Central Queensland University
Bachelor of Nursing - Health And Medical
University Of Technology
Executive Business Certificate - Business
June Dally-Watkins Business Finishing College