EDUCATION
Masters of Social Welfare – UC Berkeley
Management & Planning/Health Focus

B.A. Social Welfare – CSU Long Beach
Clinical/Multicultural Focus; Magna Cum Laude

CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
SOCIAL WORK CONSULTANT
Skilled Nursing Facilities - Social Work 98-Present
Provide clinical support for social workers including consultation on challenging cases, such as problem behaviors, psychiatric diagnoses, end-of-life issues, complex family dynamics and difficult discharge issues. Train new social work staff on the regulatory requirements, agency policy and procedures, specific job tasks and their role in the interdisciplinary team process. Provide on-going facility support to all levels of staff related to managing difficult behaviors with special attention to those with dementia, mood and psychiatric disorders and adjustment issues. Provide in-service trainings to administrative, professional, paraprofessional and others in the skilled nursing facilities on topics such as behavior management, resident rights, dignity, abuse response and prevention, end-of-life, theft and loss, etc. Collaborate with members of the interdisciplinary team (MD, Nursing, Social Work, Registered Dietician, Activity Director and Chaplain) as well as with the resident, family and other consultant/outside service providers (Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Pharmacy consultant) in developing plans of care and updating as needed. Review charts to insure the documentation is an accurate record of non-drug interventions attempted and the success of the approaches. Provide per diem Social Work services as needed including completion of: initial psychosocial assessments; Minimum Data Set (CMS assessment tool); plans of care; behavior management approaches; need for outside referrals; psychoactive medication review; and, other progress notes as needed.

INSTRUCTOR
Chabot Community College - Social Sciences Division 01-Present
Instruct a semester length class that results in a Social Services Designee certificate upon successful course completion. This certificate allows persons without a degree to work in a Social Services department of a SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility).

CLINICAL CONSULTANT
Hospice Preferred Choice - Hospice 01-03
Provide clinical oversight to the Social Work staff on an on-going basis to evaluate efficacy of interventions; help problem solve challenging cases; provide in-services to cover topical and regulation related issues as well as audit medical charts to insure regulatory and policy compliance.

DIRECTOR, SOCIAL SERVICES
Mercy Retirement & Care Center - Social Services 98-02
Responsible for Social Work assessments, on-going psychosocial support and discharge planning services for residents and families. Provide on-going emotional support related to adjustment to long term care, acute and chronic illnesses and death and dying. Identify needs and facilitate connection with resources. Advocate for resident rights and lead team in resident abuse allegation investigations. Present in-services for professional and paraprofessional staff on topics such as: dementia, resident rights, compassionate care of the dying, abuse, treating residents with dignity, confidentiality, theft and loss, and grief and loss. Work collaborating with physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, physical/occupational/speech therapists, dietician and nursing to insure resident needs are met. Led the QA team related to resident rights, behavior management and psychotropic medication management.

DIRECTOR, SOCIAL SERVICES
Sun Health/Vencor Corporation - Social Services 96-98
Completed initial Social Work assessment, provided on-going psychosocial support and discharge planning in skilled and sub-acute facilities. Facilitated connection with both community based resources and services provided within the SNF environment. Addressed goal of increasing cultural competency for dealing with diverse populations served, especially as related to long term care, medical treatment choices and end of life decision-making. Designed and presented in-services for professional and paraprofessional staff. Facilitated both a family support group and a group for younger residents. Worked collaborating with outside professionals and interdisciplinary team to insure resident needs were met. Led the QA team related to resident rights, behavior management and psychotropic medication management. Chair of the bioethics committee responsible for presenting cases and development of the agenda. Insured social service compliance with OBRA, Title 22 and JCAHO regulations. Supervised from 2-4 social service staff and two activity staff.

REGIONAL DIRECTOR
Community Residential Services of California - California Region 94-96
Helped design and set up new residential program for developmentally disabled adults with psychiatric diagnoses and behavioral problems. Leased office and homes; helped select appropriate residents; created business plan and program design; hired and trained staff; and established policy and procedures. Negotiated with State of California for reimbursement for service provision and on-going liaison with planning and licensing agencies for permits and contracts. Provided community outreach and educational information to neighborhood groups, and ensured regulatory compliance. Facilitated social services for individual clients with day treatment programs, transportation providers, educational institutions and case managers

MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKER
Kaiser Foundation Hospital
Social Work Services, S.F. Geary Campus 93-94
Provided medical social work services to patients in the hospital including discharge planning, referrals to community based agencies and psychosocial assistance to patients and families. Provided crisis intervention to patients and family members presenting in the Emergency Department and facilitated community referrals. Provided on-going support to patients through outpatient clinic, primarily related to crisis intervention and domestic violence. Wrote a successful grant application for a pilot project providing education and training intervention to increase awareness and service provision to victims of domestic violence. Assisted in evaluation of utilization review and department quality assurance.


PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Instructor, UC Berkeley Extension (04-05)

Client Advocate Intern
AIDS Services Foundation, a non-profit AIDS Services CBO (91-92).

Resident Manager/Counselor
Human Options, a non-profit battered women’s shelter (89-92).


PERSONAL
References Available