Katina is a CNA 2 and has been with Quest for 22 years! As a CNA 2, she is a Direct Support Professional (DSP) with a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certificate. She works closely with the clients each day. Katina mainly helps the clients get dressed, enjoy their meals and participate in different activities. “We pretty much hang out and enjoy the day with them,” says Katina.
Katina enjoys forming connections with the clients and that’s one of the main reasons she has stayed for over two decades. “I really enjoy seeing their faces and once they get to know you, they enjoy seeing you too,” says Katina. “You know that they know who you are, so that makes you feel good. It makes you stay. You don’t want to be in and out of their life.”
Katina takes comfort in knowing that she does everything in her power to make their lives better. She often delays her own lunch breaks because she is making sure that everyone is comfortable and they have what they need. She doesn’t mind going the extra mile either. “They’re like your family,” says Katina. “To me, they’re just my extended family. You wouldn’t leave your family like that.”
Katina is also appreciated by the clients. “Our clients love her,” says Rie Brown, Cluster Staffing Coordinator. “She’s always communicating with them, having fun, making them laugh. She has a very strong relationship with the clients, just like me.” Katina thrives at Quest because she is a very strong and trustworthy person. “I really depend on her a lot,” says Rie.
For this job, wanting to help people is important, but according to Katina, you have to have your heart in it. “I like helping people, but you have to want to be there for them for everything,” says Katina. “Everybody always asks me, ‘You still at Quest?’ And I tell them, ‘Yes, I’m still at Quest.’ It has ups and downs, but I really enjoy my job and I feel like I make a difference in the people I serve.”