Wendy Martin, Traverse City, MI, Certified Phlebotomist, co-owns Crystal Penny Inc. Home Healthcare Company with her mother who is an RN. She worked as a quality automotive engineer for years. Then the recession hit, she was laid off and not sure what to do next. Her mother proposed moving north to help her with the company, which is where she has been ever since. Drawing on her engineering background, Wendy handles the whole business side. She feels most comfortable with spreadsheets, billing, payroll, writing operation instructions, and scheduling but as clientele grew, so did her need to step in and do DCW work and she discovered a love for working directly with people. She learned the technical skills from her mother, seminars, and attending a comprehensive DCW training program, Building Training…Building Quality. She now serves on the IMPART Alliance Advisory Board.
Wendy has seen and dealt with just about everything, both good and bad, and has learned to stay calm and do creative problem solving to protect the DCWs as well as clients.
She understands that DCWs often go into unknown situations, are in the home alone, and need support. She says, “My phone’s on 24-7. Every employee knows if there’s a situation, to call. We have policies and procedures in place for certain situations where if any of my employees feel that they or the participant is unsafe, there are emergency plans that we set up with the families. The first thing I ask [a DCW] is are you safe? Do you feel safe?” She schedules DCWs so that there is consistency in the home, takes pride in providing person-centered care, and states it’s all about building good relationships, which allows DCWs to notice small changes and avert disaster.