CARRIE TESTER
Hendersonville
Summary
Community-centered professional with a foundation in nonprofit behavioral health and experience spanning healthcare, hospitality, arts, and wellness. Known for translating vision into action through collaboration, clear communication, and resource coordination, with a people-centered approach to systems-building and creative problem-solving. Career includes intentional pauses for medical recovery and treatment, now fully resolved, during which leadership, creative, and wellness skill sets were further developed, resulting in work as a certified yoga instructor, published author, commissioned artist, and community herbalist. Now fully functional, medically cleared, with new certificate in hand, seeking roles aligned with community impact, strategic support, and meaningful, care-centered work.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Front Desk Receptionist
Salt of the Earth
08.2023 - 09.2024
- Delivered warm, efficient guest intake while coordinating complex service schedules to ensure seamless client experience
- Served as primary communication hub between practitioners, guests, and leadership
- Managed inquiries, feedback, and problem-solving with discretion and professionalism
Head Server
Bloom Restaurant
08.2022 - 03.2024
- Entrusted with leadership responsibilities including training new hires and supporting staff development
- Managed advanced POS access, payments, and operational troubleshooting
- Supported events and high-volume service while maintaining quality and team cohesion
Children’s Case Manager & Therapeutic Day Treatment Counselor
Highlands Community Services
10.2014 - 10.2018
- Delivered coordinated behavioral health services for children and families through individualized care planning and ongoing assessment
- Served as primary liaison between families, schools, service providers, and community resources
- Facilitated group and individual interventions focused on pro-social skills, emotional regulation, academic support, and life skills
- Utilized trauma-informed behavioral techniques, positive reinforcement, and crisis de-escalation strategies
- Maintained detailed documentation and compliance with Medicaid, HIPAA, and agency standards
- Built strong, trust-based relationships through clear communication and advocacy
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of Tennessee
Knoxville05.2012
Skills
- Community & Program Skills
- Community Resource Navigation
- Case Coordination
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Group Facilitation
- Event Coordination
- Volunteer Management
- Documentation & Compliance
- Leadership & Collaboration
- Cross-Functional Communication
- Staff Training & Mentorship
- Relationship Building
- Conflict De-Escalation
- Inclusive & Equity-Centered Practice
- Strategic Brainstorming
- POS Systems
- Data Entry & Reporting
- Customer Experience Design
- Time & Priority Management
- Creative & Wellness
- Certified Yoga Instructor
- Published Author
- Commissioned Artist
- Community Herbalism
- Curriculum Support
- Mind-Body Practices
Certification
- Community Herbalist Certificate – Blue Ridge School of Herbal Medicine (4/25-11/25)
- 130 classroom hours completed + 45 hours independent study
- Certified Yoga Instructor 2019
Timeline
Front Desk Receptionist
Salt of the Earth
08.2023 - 09.2024
Head Server
Bloom Restaurant
08.2022 - 03.2024
Children’s Case Manager & Therapeutic Day Treatment Counselor
Highlands Community Services
10.2014 - 10.2018
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of Tennessee