Andrea M. Dinardo
Mesa,AZ
Summary
Enthusiastic, compassionate and strengths-based social worker with a passionate commitment for children and families mental health and well-being. Results-oriented, high energy, hands-on professional, with a successful record of accomplishments in crisis intervention, grief/bereavement support, mental health counseling, critical thinking, and collaboration with multi-disciplinary medical teams.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Pediatric Medical Social Worker
Phoenix Children's Hospital
06.2023 - Current
- Completed clinical comprehensive psychosocial assessments to determine patient/ family needs and problem-solve barriers to medical/mental health treatment.
- Created collaborative therapeutic treatment goals to help improve family functioning, increase self-sufficiency and assist in improvement of medical adherence.
- Provided crisis intervention services to patients and families facing medical, emotional and mental health challenges in hospital setting.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to facilitate effective patient care, resource allocation and develop tailored care coordination/plans through regular care conferences and communication.
- Provided ongoing emotional support/counseling to patients and families during critical health diagnoses/situations (including bereavement/grief support) while promoting self-care, coping mechanisms and resilience.
- Provided therapeutic crisis intervention services to address urgent concerns related to mental health, suicide risk, substance abuse, or domestic violence/child abuse issues.
- Connected patients with targeted community resources, ensuring access to essential services such as housing, mental health agencies and financial assistance.
- Ensured continuity of care by coordinating seamless transitions from hospitals to care facilities that include both behavioral health and eating disorders.
- Timely completion of detailed clinical documentation including patient progress and resources referrals.
- Knowledge and experience with handling mandated reporter responsibilities including collaboration/communication with DCS, PD and other government authorities.
Elementary School Counselor
Horizon Honors Schools
07.2021 - 06.2023
- Developed and implemented individualized counseling plans to support student emotional and social development.
- Facilitated conflict resolution sessions among students, promoting positive peer relationships and communication skills.
- Conducted classroom guidance lessons on topics such as bullying prevention and conflict management, fostering a safe environment.
- Collaborated with teachers/administration to identify students in need of additional support, providing tailored counseling services.
- Conducted small group sessions on topics such as stress management, self-esteem building, and goal setting to empower individual growth.
- Managed crisis situations effectively, providing timely intervention and referrals to outside agencies when necessary.
Pediatric Oncology Social Worker
Banner Pediatric Specialty Clinic
07.2018 - 06.2021
- Provides direct patient advocacy, assistance, support, counseling and crisis intervention to children and families in clinic as well as hospital setting. Provides/coordinates end of life care, grief bereavement counseling.
- Functions as liaison between oncology community resources and pediatric families in making supports available as needed. Completes Medicaid/SSDI/FMLA paperwork.
- Conducts psycho-social assessments of pediatric oncology patients and families, educational counseling for patient specific chronic illness/diagnosis, need for care, behavioral/medical responses to treatment, and adjustment to care. Facilitates Interdisciplinary Meetings, coordinates care, provides support to medical staff.
Pediatric Hospital Social Worker
Banner Desert Samaritan/Cardon Children's Medical Center
06.2016 - 07.2018
- Assessment of functional/psychological needs of patient, social and emotional factors related to patient's illness taking in consideration families home situation, finances and availability of community resources.
- Provides direct pediatric mental health consultation, crisis intervention and counseling. Creates intervention plans with families, coordinating care within the treatment team.
- Provides community resources related to a patient's individual needs. Timely and accurate documentation of interventions/engagement with patients and families. Assessing patient (both adult/pediatric) safety for discharge, DCS reporting, referrals for substance abuse treatment for teens/adult pregnant moms.
Infant/Toddler Mental Health Clinician
Arizona's Children Association
06.2015 - 06.2016
- Provides direct behavioral support, counseling and intervention for Birth to Five families
- Psycho-social assessments of children in the Birth-17 population.
- Facilitates trauma-informed educational/support groups for families
- Provides classroom support and intervention strategies to educators
Prevention Specialist
Kyrene School District
04.2014 - 05.2015
- Provides behavioral support and intervention for students and teachers
- Facilitates educational support groups for students based on classroom assessments
- Provides classroom presentations for anti-bullying, conflict resolution, and character education.
CPS Stabilization
La Frontera Empact
02.2012 - 04.2014
- Stabilization of children in CPS custody
- Assessments and Play Therapy
- Intervention and Support/Crisis Counseling
Crisis Specialist-Mobile Team
La Frontera Empact
06.2011 - 02.2012
- Intervention and Support to victims and families of crisis
- Crisis Counseling
- Transport clients to higher level of care
Education
MSW - Social Work
Arizona State University
05.2015
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Kyrene School District
05.2015
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Banner Desert Samaritan
10.2014
BSW - Social Work, Child Development
Arizona State University
05.1992
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Arizona State University
05.1992
Skills
- Grief/Bereavement support
- Anxiety management
- Assessing needs
- Individual/Group/Family counseling
- Eating Disorder treatment
- Crisis intervention
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Attention to detail
- Multitasking
- Excellent communication
- Active listening
Certification
- LMSW #16212 Issued 7/2016
- School Counselor PreK-12 #4310932 Issued 6/12/2020
- School Social Worker PreK-12 #4310932 Issued 10/22/2020
Timeline
Pediatric Medical Social Worker
Phoenix Children's Hospital
06.2023 - Current
Elementary School Counselor
Horizon Honors Schools
07.2021 - 06.2023
Pediatric Oncology Social Worker
Banner Pediatric Specialty Clinic
07.2018 - 06.2021
Pediatric Hospital Social Worker
Banner Desert Samaritan/Cardon Children's Medical Center
06.2016 - 07.2018
Infant/Toddler Mental Health Clinician
Arizona's Children Association
06.2015 - 06.2016
Prevention Specialist
Kyrene School District
04.2014 - 05.2015
CPS Stabilization
La Frontera Empact
02.2012 - 04.2014
Crisis Specialist-Mobile Team
La Frontera Empact
06.2011 - 02.2012
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Kyrene School District
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Banner Desert Samaritan
BSW - Social Work, Child Development
Arizona State University
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Arizona State University
MSW - Social Work
Arizona State University