Angela Wilson

Highly qualified and passionate Mental Health/Substance Abuse Counselor with career-long record of dedication, empathy, and commitment to quality care leveraged to support diverse patient populations. Counseling & Therapy: Well-developed expertise spanning multiple facets of mental health, substance abuse, and dual diagnosis therapy with diverse patient populations. Success in individual and group settings. Strong skill set with established diagnostic/evaluative tools and treatment planning. Outstanding ability to address emergencies through effective intervention strategies. Case Management: Exceptionally organized and detail driven; solid ability to develop and maintain detailed patient charts and records using paper and electronic record systems. Highly collaborative and patient focused, consistently maintaining a broad referral base of community and partner resources to maximize patient outcomes. Client Relations: Outstanding capacity to forge and sustain rapport with patients, effective assessing needs, earning trust, and implementing quality care plans in line with client goals. Industry-recognized training in conflict resolution, mediation, de-escalation, and physical restraint. Key Strengths: Dedicated work ethic as well as unwavering confidence in the face of highly escalated individuals and situations. Experience working with transient/homeless populations, inpatient care environments, and integrated treatment providers. Determined Quality Assurance Specialist with dedication to quality and accuracy. Familiar with handling multiple projects in highly competitive environments. Solid interpersonal and collaboration skills. In-depth Quality Assurance Specialist with success in prioritization and multitasking. Exceptional communication and organizational skills. Committed to paying impeccable attention to reviews and auditing procedures. Detail-oriented team player with strong organizational skills. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy. To seek and maintain full-time position that offers professional challenges utilizing interpersonal skills, excellent time management and problem-solving skills. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.

• QM Specialist, Dallas Texas, 11/13/2023, Present, Collaborates with NTBHA Clinical team and upper management to identify and resolve quality of care concerns with contracted providers., Reviews all levels of complaints, incidents and quality of care concerns submitted by consumers, family members, provider staff and other stakeholders, to improve consumer outcomes and customer service., Serves as a liaison between consumers and their treatment providers., Researches and reviews clinical information/treatment records for various tasks and reports to management., Conducts with QM team contracted provider audits on a monthly basis to ensure compliance with organizational policies, contractual and mandated HHSC requirements., Assists QM team with compiling provider audit findings to determine corrective action plans to improve compliance., Assists in developing program and/or contract specific monitoring review tools and revise them as needed., Assist in death review process and attend death review committee meetings on a quarterly basis., Attends staff meetings as required., Assists and participates in provider training's as needed., Serves as liaison and resource to contracted providers regarding anything related to QM functions and/or program information., Provides information timely to relevant NTBHA staff or provider staff regarding any identified urgent concerns., Ability to analyze relevant data for significant trends, and stays current on best practices for behavioral health services and related health and social services as they affect NTBHA and our contracted providers., Skilled at research, data analysis and researching adequate conclusions. Make effective recommendations for plans of action, and assist in implementing them., Resourceful in finding effective solutions or alternatives., Constructively and efficiently work with other professionals and staff, community representatives, persons with disabilities, and family members., Completion of duties and various projects according to current business needs.
• Patient Care Coordinator, UT , FL, 09/2018, 07/1/2023, Provided geriatric care to patients who were diagnosed with chronic medical illness of either cardiac, parkinson’s or another subtype of dementia, and who also had a previous diagnosis of mood disorders and / or dual diagnosis in a residential long term care / home environment., Demonstrated ability to work with confused and angry patients in a reassuring calming manner that allowed for them to regulate emotions and self care during challenging mental, emotional, or physical challenges., Provided patients and families with emotional support that was individualized to specific individual needs., Extensive dealings with medicare, medicaid, private insurance, and home health agencies., Provided community referrals or services: home health nursing, elderly companionship, mental health, nutritional, durable medical equipment, pastoral care, and physician services., Documented Patients mental and physical health along with when medication was provided per direction of physician and treatment plan., Case Management -Organized and scheduled all activities for OT, speech therapy, PT, Home Health aides, physician appointments, medical procedures / tests., Provided grief support for the patient and family as progression of illness advances., Assisted Family with processing the changes seen in their loved ones personality or behaviors and the direct impact on the family dynamics., Helped patients and family set realistic expectations of patient and family., Encouraged patient and family to uphold a consistent schedule that was supportive of patient diagnosis, strengths, and limitations., Provided psychoeducation tools for the aging and family based on individual learning style and cognitive ability to process information., Provided all care needed for the comfort of the patient who suffered from progressive mental degeneration., Implemented group activities (movie night, game night, cooking, arts and crafts) and improved resident / staff engagement relations., Participated in patent / family / care team meetings for identification of short term and long term therapeutic goals and objectives., Maintained and updated all medical records, tracked, and distributed medications as directed., Direct communication with physicians, nurses, social workers etc for reporting of any change in patient signs and symptoms that were supportive of DX., Helped patients and family to form healthy strategies in patient’s responses to physical, psychological, or social stress in continued efforts to reduce chance of relapse.
• Director / Service Coordinator, Specialcare Hospital Management, 6/2013, 9/2018, The Service Coordinator ia responsible for the management of the New Vision office, which includes the oversight of the intake and referral process. The Service Coordinator is also responsible for planning activity and initiating contacts in the community to enhance the visibility of the service and hospital. The service Coordinator works collaborate with hospital administrators, the nursing leadership, and the direct Director of Clinical services to coordinate a continuum of care for the addicted patient., Management of service, Management of compliance, Functions as a liaison between the contracted hospital and Specialcare Hospital Management, Functions as a liaison between the service and the community., Functions as immediate supervisor of Intake Coordinators, Ensures staff and service meets performance standards, Maintaining and expanding knowledge and understanding of the field of chemical dependency and social service., Utilizing necessary verbal and non-verbal skills necessary to support the success of an efficient and effective site.
• Substance abuse counselor, Spectrum Health Systems, 4/2012, 6/2013, Completed individual counseling with incarcerated women., Instructed psych educational groups to assist in relapse prevention skills, identification of addictive thinking patterns, identification of individual triggers, positive coping skills etc., Had a caseload of 35 clients and constructed therapeutic treatment plan, and oversaw the progress of that client., Completed assessments/ biopsychosocial upon admission into the program., Delivered group training in life skills in efforts to provide tools prior to release of inmate., Managed a therapeutic milieu environment.
• Intake Coordinator, Specialcare Hospital Management Corporation, 10/2011, 4/2012, Served on point to screen inquiries regarding social services from potential adult patients. Utilized active listening to assess needs, respond to questions, and explain services; completed patient inquiry form with required information., Assessed withdrawal/toxicity scales to confirm admission criteria., Verified payer and insurance coverage; secured pre-approval/authorization for treatment., Provided instructions and directions to new patients to facilitate intake., Assisted with case management to include compiling clinical data for appeals processing., Initiated discharge planning and established aftercare plans to support post-discharge outcomes., Supported community outreach, chart auditing, and data management.
• Discharge Planner, CompCare, 1/2011, 6/2011, Supported delivery of outstanding care for patients of this integrated behavioral and medical health provider. Facilitated admissions, to include documenting/verifying member information and responding to member questions., Researched in-network providers/facilities; coordinated initial referrals to outpatient services and community resources., Maintained discharge planning database; fielded and directed emergency calls to Care Manager.
• Mental Health Counseling Master's Candidate, Nova Southeastern University, 8/2004, 8/2010, Merged multifaceted psychology, corrections, and mental health background to complete rigorous preparatory program in counseling and therapy., Researched and applied established and emerging principals of substance abuse, family violence, divorce, aging, and general emotional therapy, to include prevention of dysfunction, professional collaboration, and direct service., Honed expertise in case administration, patient intake/assessment, and care planning., Metropolitan Ministries (Tampa, Florida): Completed one-year end-of-program internship with non-profit intervention organization serving homeless/transient individuals and families. Completed intake interviews and assessments (including biopsychosocial) to guide diagnosis. Managed up to 15 cases at once, including documentation of diagnoses, treatments, and client interactions. Utilized play therapy for pediatric populations., Structured and delivered counseling and therapy plans for individuals and groups to address post-traumatic stress (PTSD), depression/bipolar disorders, anxiety, and eating disorders., Utilized dual diagnosis, carefully structured treatment plans, and recovery groups to effectively care for clients with substance abuse issues., Delivered group training in practical life skills and coping techniques related to individual diagnoses to maximize functionality in the absence of formal treatment., Fort Lauderdale Hospital (Fort Lauderdale, Florida): During five-month internship, leveraged excellent clinical skills to conduct assessments and diagnoses for patients of diverse backgrounds. Completed biopsychosocial evaluations, individual/group therapy, group/family sessions, and crisis interventions within multiple hospital units., Commended by supervisor for strong attention to detail and outstanding clinical impressions drawn from critical theoretical principals.
• Juvenile Corrections Officer, Johnson County Department of Corrections, 11/2002, 7/2003, Ensured safety and security for detainees, colleagues, and visitors., Conducted intake and assessment., Planned and implemented programs and activities for detainees on life skills, decision-making, and positive relationships., Responded to and resolved escalated situations, including retraining aggressive individuals when necessary.
• Mental Health Tech, Crittenton Hospital, 5/2002, 11/2002, Supported mental health therapy for individual patients through diligent support of intake, treatment, and discharge planning., Monitored patients and reinforced positive behaviors., Completed charting of treatments, activities, and behaviors as well as shift reports., Provided input to treatment reviews., Assisted with treatment/issue groups., Conducted security checks.