Desiré Rukundo

Behavioral health and psychiatric technician with 8+ years of progressive direct-care experience in secure inpatient psychiatry, behavioral-health treatment, therapeutic school programs, and residential care. Skilled in trauma-informed communication, crisis prevention, verbal de-escalation, safety observation, behavioral documentation, therapeutic-milieu support, and ADL assistance. Collaborates effectively with multidisciplinary clinical and education teams to promote safety, stability, dignity, and independence.

Fluent in English, Luganda, and Swahili.

Mental Health Therapy Technician at Oregon State Hospital (2025-12 – Present)

Provide direct therapeutic care, safety observation, and ADL support for patients in a secure, locked inpatient psychiatric setting while maintaining a structured, recovery-oriented milieu.

• Use trauma-informed communication, crisis intervention, and verbal de-escalation to support emotional regulation and maintain patient and staff safety.
• Observe and document behavioral changes, mood fluctuations, and emerging safety concerns; promptly communicate updates to charge nurses and the interdisciplinary team.
• Complete routine safety checks, monitor patient movement, and escort patients to appointments, programming, meals, and approved activities according to hospital safety protocols.
• Prepare accurate behavioral charting, incident reports, and shift-to-shift handoffs in compliance with hospital policy and HIPAA requirements.
• Collaborate with nurses, psychiatrists, social workers, and therapists to support individualized treatment goals and discharge planning.

Behavioral Health Professional at Central School District 13J (2024-07 – 2025-12)

• Conducted functional behavior assessments for students with autism spectrum disorder and developmental disabilities to guide individualized support.
• Developed, implemented, and monitored behavior plans, safety plans, bus plans, and IEP behavioral goals using regular data collection and progress review.
• Delivered ABA-informed interventions, including DTT, natural environment teaching, PECS, visual schedules, social narratives, video modeling, and pivotal response training.
• Provided individual and group instruction in social skills and self-advocacy; supported skill generalization across school, home, and community settings.
• Consulted with teachers, paraprofessionals, and district teams on reinforcement systems, communication supports, prompting hierarchies, and behavioral strategies.
• Participated in IEP, Section 504, and multidisciplinary eligibility meetings; maintained confidential records in accordance with IDEA, OAR, and FERPA.

Mental Health Therapy Technician at Trillium Family Services (2024-02 – 2024-06)

• Implemented individualized behavior treatment plans for clients with intellectual, mental, emotional, and developmental disabilities.
• Facilitated structured therapeutic groups focused on behavior modification, social skills, and emotional regulation.
• Collected behavioral data, contributed to functional behavior assessments, and adjusted intervention approaches with the clinical team based on progress.
• Supported ADLs, nutrition, medication routines, and community access while reinforcing independence, coping skills, and treatment goals.
• Used agency-approved crisis-prevention, verbal de-escalation, and physical-intervention protocols when necessary; completed post-incident documentation.

Psychiatric Technician at Sequoia Behavioral Health (2022-03 – 2023-12)

• Provided direct therapeutic support and safety observation for clients receiving behavioral-health treatment in a structured care environment.
• Applied trauma-informed communication, behavioral-support strategies, and verbal de-escalation to promote regulation, safety, and treatment engagement.
• Observed, documented, and reported changes in client behavior, mood, and safety status to clinical staff in a timely manner.
• Supported ADLs, therapeutic programming, and approved client activities while encouraging independence and respectful participation.
• Maintained confidential documentation and collaborated with the treatment team to support individualized care plans.

Caregiver at Springs at Sunnyview (2018 – 2022)

• Provided hands on personal care and ADL support, including bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, mobility, meals, and hydration.
• Monitored residents' physical and emotional well-being, documented care and observations, and reported changes in health status, behavior, or mood to nursing staff.
• Supported individualized care routines and therapeutic activities that promoted dignity, comfort, socialization, and independence.

Diploma in Mental Health Studies (2024)

High School Diploma