Melanie Burke
Redan,Victoria
Summary
Proven to enhance client well-being and independence, my tenure at Melba Support Services showcased my adeptness in daily living support and emotional resilience. Leveraging skills in documentation and active listening, I fostered significant client progress and community integration, achieving a notable increase in client satisfaction rates. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
Work History
Disability Development Support Worker
Melba Support Services
Ballarat, VIC
01.2018 - Current
- Assisted clients with daily living needs to maintain self-esteem and general wellness.
- Helped clients manage and reach individual goals, supporting independent progression and social skills.
- Enhanced the quality of care for clients by providing personalized support and assistance with daily living activities.
- Transported clients to appointments, shopping venues and entertainment events according to determined schedule.
- Established trusting relationships with clients and their families through empathetic communication and active listening.
- Kept clients engaged in social networks and communities for personal health and growth.
- Developed strong rapport with clients by consistently demonstrating respect, understanding, and genuine concern for their wellbeing.
- Safeguarded client well-being by monitoring health conditions, administering medications, and reporting any changes to appropriate medical professionals.
- Coordinated appointments for clients with healthcare providers to promote consistent access to essential medical services.
- Maintained detailed records of client progress, interventions, and outcomes to ensure continuity of care across service providers.
- Promoted independence among clients through skill-building exercises and goal-setting initiatives.
- Adapted quickly to changing work environments while maintaining high levels of productivity and professionalism under pressure.
- Provided crisis intervention services when necessary, effectively de-escalating challenging situations while maintaining client safety.
Support Worker
Wellways
Ballarat, VIC
01.2018 - 03.2018
- Assisted clients with daily living needs to maintain self-esteem and general wellness.
- Helped clients manage and reach individual goals, supporting independent progression and social skills.
- Enhanced the quality of care for clients by providing personalized support and assistance with daily living activities.
- Transported clients to appointments, shopping venues and entertainment events according to determined schedule.
- Established trusting relationships with clients and their families through empathetic communication and active listening.
- Developed strong rapport with clients by consistently demonstrating respect, understanding, and genuine concern for their wellbeing.
- Safeguarded client well-being by monitoring health conditions, administering medications, and reporting any changes to appropriate medical professionals.
- Kept clients engaged in social networks and communities for personal health and growth.
- Coordinated appointments for clients with healthcare providers to promote consistent access to essential medical services.
- Maintained detailed records of client progress, interventions, and outcomes to ensure continuity of care across service providers.
- Promoted independence among clients through skill-building exercises and goal-setting initiatives.
- Adapted quickly to changing work environments while maintaining high levels of productivity and professionalism under pressure.
- Provided crisis intervention services when necessary, effectively de-escalating challenging situations while maintaining client safety.
- Mentored new support workers by providing guidance, sharing best practices, and modeling effective client-centered care techniques.
- Promoted community integration by providing extensive physical, emotional and social support.
- Improved client satisfaction by promptly addressing concerns and implementing feedback in a timely manner.
- Assisted clients in accessing available resources such as housing options, financial supports, and healthcare services.
- Facilitated community integration for clients by organizing social outings, recreational activities, and educational opportunities.
- Advocated for client rights and preferences in interactions with external service providers to ensure equitable access to necessary supports.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop and implement individualized care plans for each client.
Disability Support Worker
Merrimu Services
Bacchus Marsh, VIC
10.2016 - 01.2018
- Drove clients safely to social activities and appointments.
- Developed strong interpersonal relationships with clients, earning their trust and respect through consistent empathy and understanding.
- Enhanced quality of life for clients with physical and intellectual disabilities through compassionate care and assistance.
- Delivered exceptional personal care services, including bathing, dressing, grooming, and feeding assistance.
- Kept detailed daily logs with care actions, patient behaviors, and incidents.
- Prepared nutritious meals to meet individual dietary needs for clients.
- Provided high level of physical support by lifting, adjusting, and moving clients.
- Provided emotional support to clients during challenging times, fostering resilience and coping skills.
- Communicated regularly with family members about client progress, addressing any concerns or questions promptly.
- Assisted clients in reaching personal goals through targeted skill-building activities and therapeutic interventions.
- Transported patients via wheelchair to and from rehabilitation and daily activities.
- Promoted a safe and inclusive environment for all clients by enforcing policies and procedures consistently.
- Implemented behavior management techniques when required for the safety of both clients and staff members involved.
- Coordinated transportation arrangements for clients to attend medical appointments or partake in social activities safely.
- Managed medications effectively for clients under strict supervision from healthcare professionals, ensuring adherence to prescribed treatment plans.
- Facilitated community integration for clients by organizing outings, social events, and other opportunities for engagement.
- Improved client independence by developing personalized support plans tailored to individual needs and goals.
- Kept accurate records for client files and handled related paperwork.
- Monitored client vital signs, administered medications, and tracked behaviors to keep healthcare supervisor well-informed.
- Maintained accurate records of client progress, adjusting support strategies as needed to maximize outcomes.
- Advocated fiercely on behalf of clients when necessary to ensure their rights were respected in various settings such as education or healthcare environments.
- Checked medication schedules and patient needs to enforce medication administration standards team-wide.
- Worked closely with therapists and other specialists to implement prescribed interventions consistently, leading to measurable improvements in client functioning.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices within the disability support field.
- Conducted regular assessments of client needs to identify potential areas of growth or improvement within their care plan structure.
- Worked with children and parents to closely monitor and record social, behavioral and academic growth.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive care plans, ensuring optimal client wellbeing.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on industry best practices.
- Maintained detailed records of patient progress, documentation of services and case notes.
- Conducted in-home visits to provide supportive services.
- Assessed risk factors of patients and made referrals for further services.
- Assisted patients in accessing housing, financial assistance and other community resources.
- Collaborated with healthcare providers to drive continuity of care.
- Worked with medical teams, patients and families to implement effective treatment plans.
- Provided crisis intervention services to individuals facing medical, emotional and mental health challenges in hospital setting.
- Facilitated family meetings to discuss patient care plans.
- Completed psychosocial evaluations and needs assessments.
- Developed partnerships with community organizations to expand services and referrals.
- Updated treatment plans on monthly basis with latest intervention strategies and progress notes.
Personal Care Assistant
Carer
Ballarat, VIC
06.2014 - 10.2016
- 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 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.
- Adapted quickly to new client situations, building rapport through active listening skills and an empathetic approach towards individual needs.
- Supported clients with mental support and physical activities to accomplish quality of life and sustain needs.
- Supported clients'' mental health by actively listening to concerns and offering compassionate companionship during challenging times.
- Transported individuals to events and activities, medical appointments, and shopping trips.
- Ensured timely medication administration, managing accurate records of dosages and schedules for multiple clients.
- Collaborated with healthcare professionals to develop individualized care plans addressing each client''s specific needs.
- Developed creative strategies for overcoming obstacles related to mobility or cognitive limitations while promoting maximum functionality in daily tasks.
- Empowered clients by providing education on self-care strategies and encouraging them to take an active role in their own health management.
- Built and maintained rapport with clients and family members to facilitate trusting caregiver relationship.
Chef
Various Restaurants
Melbourne
02.1990 - 01.2014
- Oversaw grill, stove, and oven, and cleaned equipment after every shift.
- Checked freezer and refrigerator prior to each shift to verify correct temperatures.
- Maintained well-organized mise en place to keep work consistent.
- Placed orders to restock items before supplies ran out.
- Trained kitchen staff to perform various preparation tasks under pressure.
- Inventoried food, ingredient, and supply stock to prepare and plan vendor orders.
- Cultivated a positive work culture among kitchen staff through open communication lines and mutual respect within the team.
- Successfully met dietary requirements for diverse clientele by providing customized meal options upon request.
- Upheld stringent food safety regulations, ensuring compliance with all relevant health department guidelines.
- Continually improved kitchen safety by enforcing strict hygiene protocols and staff training on equipment usage.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by consistently delivering high-quality culinary creations.
- Monitored line processes to maintain consistency in quality, quantity, and presentation.
- Adapted menus seasonally, incorporating fresh produce to create visually appealing and flavorful dishes.
- Managed food costs, sourcing ingredients from local suppliers to support community partnerships and sustainable practices.
- Collaborated effectively with front-of-house team for seamless dining experience and positive customer feedback.
- Developed innovative recipes, attracting new clientele and increasing overall sales.
- Mentored junior chefs in culinary techniques, fostering a collaborative and learning-focused work environment.
- Negotiated with vendors for better pricing on high-quality ingredients, balancing costs without compromising standards.
- Improved kitchen safety, conducting comprehensive training on proper equipment use and emergency procedures.
- Boosted team morale and productivity with regular training sessions on culinary techniques and customer service standards.
- Instituted mentorship program for junior chefs, providing guidance and support to nurture their professional development.
- Achieved consistent on-time service, optimizing kitchen workflows and staff scheduling.
- Streamlined kitchen operations for increased efficiency, implementing new inventory management system.
- Disciplined and dedicated to meeting high-quality standards.
Education
Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management - Family And Community Services
New Futures Training
Coburg, VIC05.2024
Graduate Diploma - Community Services
Partners In Training
Ballarat, VIC03.2023
Certificate IV - Disability Studies
Ashley Institute of Training
Ballarat, VIC04.2017
Trade Qualification - Cookery
Frankston Institute of TAFE
Frankston, VIC03.1993
Skills
- Daily living support
- Housekeeping tasks
- Health and safety awareness
- Emotional Support
- Confidentiality and Privacy
- Behavioral support
- Meal Planning and Preparation
- Transportation Assistance
- Life Skills Development
- Documentation abilities
- Professional boundaries
- Cultural Sensitivity
- Clean Driving Record
- Mobility support
- Skill Development
- Community Integration
- Budgeting and financial management
- Troubleshooting
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Multitasking
- Problem-Solving
- Excellent Communication
- Time Management
- Active Listening
- Relationship Building
- Organizational Skills
- Client Advocacy
- Decision-Making
- Written Communication
- Emergency response training
- Case Documentation
- Knowledge of medical and psychiatric terminology
- Treatment Planning
- Team building
- Administrative Management
- Trauma Informed Care Framework
- Interpersonal Communication
- Task Prioritization
- High-Risk Populations Identification
- Analytical Thinking
- Referral Coordination
- Reliability
- Team Collaboration
- Adaptability and Flexibility
- Self Motivation
Timeline
Disability Development Support Worker
Melba Support Services
01.2018 - Current
Support Worker
Wellways
01.2018 - 03.2018
Disability Support Worker
Merrimu Services
10.2016 - 01.2018
Personal Care Assistant
Carer
06.2014 - 10.2016
Chef
Various Restaurants
02.1990 - 01.2014
Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management - Family And Community Services
New Futures Training
Graduate Diploma - Community Services
Partners In Training
Certificate IV - Disability Studies
Ashley Institute of Training
Trade Qualification - Cookery
Frankston Institute of TAFE