A Week in the Life of Nicole Worman, Operational Manager (Minnesota)

Nicole Worman knows the drill. Having started her career as a direct support staff in 1997, she worked her way up to a Residential Program Coordinator. Then she spent approximately nine years as a Program Manager (known as an “OPD” – Operational Program Director – in Minnesota) before taking the next step to a new position, Operational Manager, in 2023. Now she oversees a tight-knit team of three Program Managers in Minneapolis. 

Recently, she introduced us to her team – and to the valuable role they play ensuring the highest level of service to the people Dungarvin supports. The responsibilities of these leaders are broad and varied and can include everything from covering an open shift themselves to approving payroll for the Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) on their teams. “OPDs are not just sitting in an office somewhere,” shares Nicole. “Our offices are often at the kitchen tables in Dungarvin (group) homes, working with the staff and individuals we support to ensure their independence and safety. Problem solving is actually what a typical day is all about, and that might include fixing housing issues, visiting those homes and always supporting teamwork to get the job done.” 

Get to know more about the critical role of a Program Manager in A Week in the Life with Nicole Worman:

Theresa Pruse is a Program Manager on my team. She supervises four programs with varying needs, from supporting individuals through complete care to those with high functioning mental health needs. Her duties change on daily – sometimes hourly – basis. Leading an annual team meeting; discussing ways to help a person served achieve their goals; driving individuals to Doctor’s appointments; ensuring staff training; completing payroll; taking calls at 10 pm because a staff member did not show up and having to cover that shift; to providing an ear to both persons served and staff alike. Building a strong team ensures the best possible care of the people that we serve. 

Me and staff from our home ‘Girard North’ at a memorial service for a person served. (Several of these staff attended this service on their day off from work.) These same staff along with some of their co-workers also planned a different service for another individual who sadly passed away just weeks earlier at this same home. I think it is important for supervisors to be there to support our staff, and the people we serve, in both good and hard times.

Theresa and I update on a weekly basis to ensure ongoing training and completion of time sensitive tasks. Being a daily support for those you supervise also helps to create an atmosphere of trust and support. While I meet with the program managers weekly, the program manager spends one day at each site weekly to create that same level of respect.

Program Manager Alex Trenary conducting a fit test for a N95 mask with a staff that will be working with a person served that tested positive for Covid. This required Alex to go in during the evening as well to ensure all staff on each shift were fit tested for the N95 masks. 

Celebrating staff marking their 10-year milestone working with Dungarvin. We are so grateful for our team members who demonstrate their commitment to our mission to respect and respond to the choices of those in need of supports.

Stopping in at our Dungarvin Minnesota headquarters in Mendota Heights for a recent team meeting with Program Managers Alex Trenary and Lonny Fabunmi.

Jumping online for a technology information meeting. Keeping informed on new and emerging technology options is important because it may help the individuals we serve live more independently.

And sometimes our responsibilities extend to setting up a room to warmly welcome a new person served!

If you are interested in joining the Dungarvin team, please see open career opportunities at Employment – Dungarvin.