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BARBARA HALE
Sacramento,CA
Work Preference
Summary
Professional counselor with active licensure, specializing in behavioral health assessments and level of care determination in fast-paced settings. Effective and resourceful problem-solver in stressful situations, ensuring client needs are addressed through collaboration with treatment partners. Background includes outpatient mental health services, inpatient substance use disorder treatment, and behavioral health administration.
Overview
1
1
Certification
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Mental Health Program Coordinator
Sacramento County
Sacramento, CA
01.2023 - Current
- Managed high-volume and fast-paced referral activity, ensuring timely member access and enhancing customer service satisfaction.
- Coordinate access to withdrawal management and residential substance use disorder treatment services for Medi-Cal beneficiaries throughout Sacramento County.
- Conduct clinical screening, triage, and level-of-care determinations for individuals with complex substance use, behavioral health, and medical conditions.
- Collaborate with treatment providers, behavioral health professionals, healthcare organizations, and community partners to facilitate treatment access and continuity of care.
- Apply ASAM Criteria and clinical judgment to determine appropriate levels of care across ASAM 3.2, 3.5, 3.1, 2.1, and 1.0 services and addiction medication treatment programs.
- Resolve member concerns and barriers to treatment through problem-solving, de-escalation, and care coordination.
- Developed and maintained comprehensive treatment tracking system for 200+ active referrals, utilized by more than 70 staff to streamline care coordination.
- Train clinical and administrative staff on treatment placement procedures, system navigation, and level-of-care processes.
- Partnered with contracted providers to optimize treatment capacity utilization, resulting in improved placement outcomes for clients.
- Serve as a trusted subject matter expert regarding Sacramento County's behavioral health and substance use disorder continuum of care.
Senior Mental Health Counselor
Sacramento County
Sacramento, CA
10.2018 - 01.2023
- Conducted detailed and comprehensive ASAM assessments for Medi-Cal beneficiaries to determine medical necessity and appropriate levels of care for substance use disorder treatment.
- Educated clients on coping strategies and mental health resources available in the community.
- Provided consultation services to family members regarding their loved one's treatment plan.
- Evaluated clinical, psychosocial, and recovery support factors affecting treatment placement decisions.
- Coordinated services for court-involved individuals from Child Protective Services, DUI Court, and Sacramento County correctional facilities ensuring access to appropriate resources.
- Collaborated with county agencies, healthcare providers, treatment programs, and community organizations to enhance treatment access and streamline care coordination.
- Assisted the county residential placement team with management of treatment waitlists and treatment referrals.
- Completed advanced ASAM training and professional development programs, including seminars by Dr. David Mee-Lee and the ASAM Criteria.
- Provided counseling for relapse prevention, social issues and mental health problems.
Outreach Coordinator
U.S. Navy Psychological Health Outreach Program
Sacramento, CA
02.2018 - 10.2018
- Acted as the on-site psychological support clinician for military personnel at the Navy Operational Support Center in Sacramento.
- Provided Telehealth support services to Marines and Sailors throughout Northern California territory.
- Provided crisis intervention and coordinated resources and treatment referrals, supporting timely assistance for individuals in need.
- Conducted behavioral health assessments and referrals, enhancing access to care for military service members in the region.
- Delivered educational presentations at surrounding Navy Reserve Centerns promoting behavioral health awareness and stigma reduction.
Utilization Review Specialist
Valley Recovery Center
Sacramento, CA
06.2016 - 02.2018
- Acted as primary reviewer for privately insured patients in detoxification and residential services, influencing treatment decisions through thorough evaluations.
- Executed utilization review activities for detoxification and residential treatment services, ensuring compliance with clinical guidelines.
- Coordinated with insurance companies to secure timely treatment authorizations and continued stay approvals, facilitating uninterrupted patient care.
- Applied ASAM Criteria and clinical documentation to support medical necessity determinations.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary treatment teams to optimize treatment outcomes and authorization success.
- Collaborated with healthcare teams to assess patient utilization needs.
- Communicated with insurance providers regarding coverage and authorizations.
- Maintained accurate documentation of review findings and recommendations.
- Participated in interdisciplinary meetings to discuss patient care strategies.
- Participated in interdisciplinary team meetings to discuss complex cases or those requiring an alternative treatment plan or continued stay evaluation.
- Conducted concurrent reviews to monitor the ongoing appropriateness of services provided to members.
- Assessed patient's health needs and identified potential risk areas through review of records and interviews with providers.
- Worked with insurance companies and patients to determine best courses of action.
- Determined medical necessity and cost-effectiveness of services through utilization review processes.
- Contacted insurance carriers to obtain authorizations for services delivered to patients.
Program Coordinator / Service Coordinator
El Hogar Regional Support Team
Sacramento, CA
12.2014 - 06.2016
- Oversaw management of complex behavioral health cases and crisis situations, ensuring effective resolution and support.
- Facilitated coordination of services among community agencies, law enforcement, and healthcare providers to streamline client support.
- Delivered clinical services and program support for multidisciplinary behavioral health team, enhancing care for adults with serious mental illness.
- Assisted with daily program operations, ensuring smooth workflow and collaboration among staff.
- Diagnosis, treatment and case management of Medi-Cal beneficiaries with moderate to severe mental health disorders.
- Collaborated with medical and psychiatric staff as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Reviewed and approved clinical documentation of unlicensed clinicians and interns.
Education
Master of Arts - Clinical Counseling
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OhioBachelor of Arts - Psychology and Sociology
National Louis University
Chicago, IllinoisSkills
- Utilization management
- Multitasking ability
- Effective problem solving
- Concurrent review
- Level of care determination
- Project management
- Partnership building
- Maintaining patient records
- HIPAA compliance
- Customer service
- Database management
- Care Coordination
- Documentation review
- Health assessment
- Prior authorization
- Provider collaboration
- Advanced in Excel and Word
Certification
- Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) #4838, California Board of Behavioral Sciences
Timeline
Mental Health Program Coordinator
Sacramento County
01.2023 - Current
Senior Mental Health Counselor
Sacramento County
10.2018 - 01.2023
Outreach Coordinator
U.S. Navy Psychological Health Outreach Program
02.2018 - 10.2018
Utilization Review Specialist
Valley Recovery Center
06.2016 - 02.2018
Program Coordinator / Service Coordinator
El Hogar Regional Support Team
12.2014 - 06.2016
Master of Arts - Clinical Counseling
Xavier University
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology and Sociology
National Louis University