Service Home Health

Kristin Ruda

Email: *********@********.***

Address: *** **** **

City: Wilmington

State: IL

Zip: 60481

Country: USA

Phone: 815-***-****

Skill Level: Management

Salary Range: $55,000

Primary Skills/Experience:

See Resume

Educational Background:

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Job History / Details:

Kristin Ruda

833 Judy Dr. Wilmington IL 60481

H) 815-***-**** C) 815-***-****

*********@********.***

Overview

Nineteen years of experience working with geriatric population on both a rehabilitation unit and a not for profit agency directing a volunteer program. Emphasis on direct personal contact with clients, volunteers, and families. Strong communication and leadership skills. Strong background in customer and public relations as well as advocacy. Created effective summary of senior program that expressed effective cost savings to the state of Illinois for utilization of volunteers. Led Advocacy team in educational opportunity to promote the cost savings of over $1,000,000,000 to political representatives.

Experience

VCP Home Health Agency

Marketing Specialist

July 2012-Present

Responsibilities include hosting wellness events to promote home health services of the agency to homebound clients. Assesses clients to see if services are needed. Attains consent from client stating that services are requested. Provides health information to the office so information can be faxed to doctors offices. Delivers health presentations and activities to senior groups attending wellness events. Topics include: Hoarding, Falls Prevention, Home Safety, Dehydration, and Cognition Trivia. Visits doctors offices to introduce self to staff and explain need of service request to the nurse, doctor, or office staff. Plans new wellness events with senior buildings and centers. Manages flu shot events. Manages events with administrative staff for weekly events and activities. Monitor clients for start of service and care.

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet

Senior Companion Program Director 2000-July 2012

Responsibilities include supervising 50 volunteers who visit homebound clients needing respite, transportation, and socialization. Manages 200 clients serviced by 80 volunteers. Replies to volunteer and client issues daily by phone and in person. Develops weekly work schedules for volunteers and clients. Manages schedules for bi-weekly payroll. Calculates timesheets for volunteers payday. Plans and organizes monthly education in-services for volunteers, annual recognition banquets and trips for volunteers. Recruits senior citizens throughout Kankakee, Iroquois, Grundy, and Will Counties to become volunteers for the Senior Companion Program. Schedules and coordinates pre-interview sessions, interviews and orientation for potential and new volunteers. Coordinates initial meeting between volunteer, client and director. Schedules meeting and follow-up interviews with families to ensure quality service. Promotes public relations by giving presentations to senior groups in senior centers, senior high-rises, churches, libraries, and hospitals. Actively participates in local events such as fairs, festivals, and health events to display and distribute information regarding the program. Partners with Illinois State Library Talking Book and Braille Service to promote the National Library Service Blind and Physically Handicapped free mail order library program at conferences, fairs, programs, and to individuals eligible for the program. Utilizes local media to promote the program and recruit volunteers. Actively promotes program through mass mailings to local organizations as well as through newspapers. Prepares Quarterly reports for the national sponsor documenting the progress of the program and the use of grant money. Prepares yearly grant application documents. Provides and tallies quarterly satisfaction surveys for clients and volunteers to assess personal progress. Prepares client and volunteer data reports for the United Way to ensure funding.

Committees Illinois Association of Foster Grandparents and Senior Companions for Corporation for National Service (IAFGSCPD). Served as Vice President for 2 years. Member of Older Adult Services Sub-Committee Member of Continuous Quality Improvement Committee Catholic Charities Staff Enrichment Committee Advocacy Committee

Riverside Medical Center, 350 N Wall St., Kankakee, IL 60901

Certified Therapeutic Recreational Therapist 1993-2000

Duties and Responsibilities

Supported and guided recreational activities and projects for individual and group sessions for orthopedic, stroke, quadriplegic, traumatic brain injured and spinal cord injured patients. Duties included initial evaluations, program planning and goal setting for recovery process, planning community outings and working with patients on community re-entry goals. Recreational activities included music, art, horticulture, relaxation, meditation and aroma therapies, cooking groups, fishing, golf, reminiscence, orientation, computer and directional activities and intergenerational programs. Actively participated in public relations for the rehabilitation program by representing the department at local festivals, career days, community affairs and health events to display and distribute information about the rehabilitation unit. Evaluated and assessed all patients on the rehabilitation unit. Determined and assigned short and ling term goals to each patient on the unit. Documented daily progress of patients in the Affinity computer system. As a member of an interdisciplinary team, assessed patients and reported to the physiatrist on the unit. Received referrals from physiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and therapists for individual treatment of patients. Created a newsletter for staff and doctors. Prepared physician release forms for all patients participating in community outings. Utilized computer system Lotus Notes to communicate with hospital staff. Created policy and procedure manual for rehabilitation unit van. Assisted with chart preparation for CARF and JCAHO (accrediting agencies for the rehabilitation unit) Organized and directed The New Beginnings Stroke Club This support group enabled stroke survivors and their spouses to share experiences of dealing with strokes and caregiver burnout. Planned and organized educational and recreational trips for members of the stroke club. Instituted and organized yearly Rehabilitation Reunion for 400+ people. Initiated, researched and assisted in preparation of grant that enabled Riversides Rehabilitation Department to buy a handicapped accessible van. Organized a grant funded trip to Disney World for ventilator-dependent quadriplegic patient on Rehabilitation Unit. Redesigned gazebo for accessible gardening activities. Created mini-library for patients and families and utilized the Illinois State Library Talking Book System for visually impaired patients. Developed Stroke Information Library for patients and families. As Certified Therapeutic Recreational Specialist, consulted at Miller Healthcare Nursing Home. Evaluated goals and reviewed charts to ensure requirements were met. Provided Activity Director with information pertinent to residents. Suggested alternatives for senior activity planning schedule for groups and individual treatment.

Hospital Committee Assignments Senior Task Force-developed interdisciplinary teams Patient Satisfaction-surveyed patients during and post treatment W.H.A.T. Committee (We Help Achieve Tomorrow)-raised funds for hospital growth projects Christmas Basket-raised funds for needy seniors and disabled area residents

Presentations In-service training for all employees approved to drive rehabilitation van Riverside Hospitals New Beginnings Stroke Club Parkinsons Support Group Riverside Hospitals Rehabilitation Symposium Riverside Healthplex Symposium W.H.A.T. Committee Nursing technician educational seminars Tours and speeches to school groups and potential patients

Education

St. Josephs College, Rensselaer, IN B.S. Psychology B.S. Physical Education

Aurora University, Aurora, IL M.S. Recreation Administration

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