Chad Nelson

Experience

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  Golden LivingCenters

  Jun 2012 - Apr 2014

  Certified Nursing Assistant

  Provided direct patient care in a 60 bed long-term care facility, which additionally housed 20 assisted living patients in a separate wing. Assisted residents with activities of daily living, and promoted a compassionate physical and psychosocial environment. Measured vital signs and weights. Observed, recorded, and reported changes in patient behavior or physical/cognitive condition to the Charge Nurse. Documented patient care electronically. Trained new employees as assigned. Worked 1st, 2nd, and 3rd shifts, over this time-frame. Show less

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  South Mississippi Regional Center

  Jul 2014 - Apr 2020

  Supervised and administered prescribed therapy treatment programs and behavior support plans of 12 or more individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, psychiatric disorders, and severe physical disabilities, in a long-term mental health facility.Conducted ongoing observation for changes in residents' behavior and/or physical condition. Reported on and wrote nontechnical behavior reports in compliance with documentation and record-keeping requirements.Trained new employees in daily tasks and proper procedures. Updated and expanded on the existing "Wheelchairs and Wheelchair Saftey" Orientation Class Materials and frequently assisted Department Supervisor in presenting the material to oncoming orientation classes. Inspected, performed basic repairs/cleaning and replacement of adaptive and safety equipment, including wheelchairs, helmets, bed rail padding, splints/braces, adaptive utensils for eating assistance, and other equipment. Completed daily spot check and weekly thorough inspection documentation. Completed inventory forms for replacement equipment distributed for use throughout the facility. Assisted patients and Direct Care staff with incontinence care as necessary. Occasionally tasked with providing additional Direct Care support in the cottage on an as-needed/directed basis. Show less Provided supervision and worked one-on-one in a structured classroom setting, with 7 to 9 individuals with intellectual disabilities, psychiatric disorders and severe physical disabilities, including individuals with vision and hearing impairment, and individuals who are nonverbal, using their customized care programs.Instructed and assisted individuals with increasing their independent living skills, by: teaching how to communicate verbally or non-verbally using ipads, sign language, and pointing at pictures to communicate wants/needs, making choices regarding food/activity preferences, and how to perform personal hygiene tasks. Programs are adapted to each individuals developmental level and are designed to improve different areas of development, some include: coordinating visual and motor skills, communicating and understanding communication, imitation, play skills, and independent living skills. Activities include tasks such as using a communication device to greet the class or to indicate choice of snack, sorting blocks into shaped slots, sorting objects by color, putting numbered pages in a binder in order, rolling silverware, and wiping area after snack time. Assisted individuals with incontinent care and/or toileting assistance as necessary.Maintained up to date knowledge of and implemented individuals Behavior Support Plans, including restraint use if warranted by instances of aggressive actions, conducted ongoing observation for changes in residents' behavior and/or physical condition, reported on and wrote nontechnical behavior reports in compliance with documentation and record keeping requirements. Utilized conflict prevention and deescalation strategies to prevent escalation to aggressive acts against classmates and staff, to maintain a safe and healthy psychosocial environment for all. Show less Provided direct care and supervision appropriate to the cognitive, physical, emotional, and chronological maturation needs of individuals with intellectual disabilities, psychiatric disorders and severe physical disabilities in a 24-bed cottage on the campus of a long-term care mental health facility. Established therapeutic relationships with residents and provided an emotionally supportive environment to promote the residents' optimal level of independent functioning. Worked to help residents improve independent living skills, including: learning how to communicate verbally, or non-verbally using ipads, sign language and use of communication boards (pointing at pictures to communicate wants/needs), making choices regarding food/activity preferences, and performance of personal hygiene tasks, by working one-on-one instructing and assisting residents, using their care programs. Assisted individuals with activities of daily living.Maintained up-to-date knowledge of individuals Behavior Support Plans, implementing when appropriate. Behavior supports programs sometimes include use of various restraints, when deescalation attempts are unsuccessful. Conducted ongoing observations for changes in residents' behavior and/or physical condition.Wrote nontechnical behavior reports.Planned and coordinated with other DCW's for indoor and outdoor group activities, ie: basketball, throwing footballs, watching movies in the dayroom.Trained new employees in daily tasks and proper procedures as directed. Show less

  • OTPT Aide

    Nov 2016 - Apr 2020

  • Education Assistant

    Dec 2015 - Oct 2016

  • Direct Care Worker

    Jul 2014 - Nov 2015
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  Encompass Health

  May 2020 - now

  Rehabilitation Nursing Technician

  Patient-focused role, emphasizing compassionate care and an emotionally supportive environment for patients' path to recovery. Facilitates the rehabilitation process by preparing patients for therapy sessions. (11-17 patient assignments). Assists patients with various neurological and/or physical impairments with ADLs, focusing on progressing toward the highest attainable level of independence. Works closely with Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapists, as well as COTAs, PTAs, Therapy Techs, and RNs/LPNs, including assisting with dressing, transfers to wheelchairs, and communication of changes in physical/cognitive/medical status, including abnormal vital signs, glucose levels, or patient concerns. Measures patient vital signs (including orthostatic B/P, as instructed), weight, and blood glucose levels. Updates patient communication board to current level of required transfer assistance (1 assist, 2 assist, Slideboard, Mechanical Lift usage). Assists RNs/LPNs with wound care/performs minor dressing changes when approved. Monitors wounds and reports concerns/changes. Ensures patient adherence to/educates them about post-surgical precautions (sternal, pacemaker, hip, and spinal). Assists patients with vehicle transfers upon initial admission, and during the discharge process. Conducts initial patient evaluation upon admission, assessing level of assistance required for upper/lower body dressing, footwear management, showering, eating, mobility (chair to bed, chair to chair, sit to stand, roll left and right, lying to sitting, and sitting to lying). Documents ADLs (including level of assistance provided), mobility assistance, patient intake and output, behavioral concerns, vital signs, and patient rounding (ensuring prescribed fall prevention protocols are in place). Trains new orientees and leads shadow shifts for potential hires. Show less

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  The University of Southern Mississippi

  Jan 2025 - now

  Undergraduate Research Assistant

  Data collection for ongoing studies conducted in the Biomechanics Lab. Use of motion capture technology, force plates, VO2max measurements. Upon completion of studies, will assist with data and statistical analyses. CITI Program training for research with Human Subjects. Reading scientific literature within the field. Manuscript writing.