Brenda Whitfield
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Social Science Specialist, GS:11- Full-Time 40hrs
Department of Veterans Affairs
06.2019 - Current
- Works as a Crisis Responder taking calls and text transfers for Veterans, Active-Duty Personnel, as well as their friends and family
- Applies formal crisis management and intervention techniques, including engagement, assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation
- This includes assessing suicide, homicide, substance abuse, and domestic violence
- Works collaboratively with other members of the VCL to identify appropriate services and/or to locate individuals in need of emergency services
- Strong ability to multi-task in high-risk situations that require attention to all details that will specify the status of the emergency
- Completes clinically significant documentation in Medora per VCL policy in a concise and organized manner, following established guidelines to ensure the safety of callers
- Implements suicide and mental health crisis prevention strategies utilizing assessment tools to assess emotional, functional and/or psychological condition to determine current level of functioning and care needed
- Identifies risk-factors and buffers, completes safety plans and assists in planning the intervention; completes SPCs consult follow-up paperwork
- Provides psychoeducation and resource options to Veterans and other callers with issues regarding suicide, mental health issues, referrals, benefits, support groups and other needs
- Relays real time information to the Social Science Assistant and the supervisory team immediately if there are any barriers to providing emergency services to those in crisis and/or during active or failed rescues
- Prepares and maintains records and reports in accordance with program guidelines
- Knowledge of pertinent laws, regulations, or policies related to current role
- Assist Callers with Complex Needs (CWCN) in a professional and empathetic manner
- As well as provide guidance and support to callers facing challenging situations
- Follows protocol to ensure the CWCN Caller needs are met and supported.
Intake Assessment Counselor, Full-Time 40hrs
Tanner Medical Center
10.2016 - 06.2019
- Provided clinical assessments on patients with mental illness and/or substance abuse issues by evaluating, collecting data via collateral contacts and interviews
- Conducted face to face and telephonic assessments to identify appropriate level of care for mental health patients in the emergency department or on medical floors of hospitals
- Provided disposition based on clinical judgment and criteria within the DSM-V
- Managed daily caseload of six hospitals and referral resources for appropriate disposition and level of care
- Completed precertification, single-case agreements, authorizations, and benefit verification with insurance companies for individuals within inpatient hospitalization care
- Prepared and maintains records and reports in accordance with company guidelines
- Worked closely with assessment staff, Psychiatrists, and nurse practitioners to identify appropriate services for all levels of care- inpatient, PHP, IOP, and outpatient therapy
- Provided crisis counseling as requested for children, adults, and families.
Social Service Case Manager, Full-Time 40hrs
Carroll Co. DFCS
12.2014 - 10.2016
- Assessed the level of risk to children by conducting face to face interviews with the alleged child victims and their caregivers
- Collaborated with law enforcement when children are physically removed from caretakers when the child is determined by the courts to be at risk in the home
- Testified in court as to the level of risk to children placed in the agency's legal custody
- Reviewed cases once assigned and responded to ensure response time is met, whether immediately or within 24 hours
- Coordinates the placement for children to ensure that they are placed in permanent stable families within as short of time as possible
- Supervised visits between children and parents; testified regarding the status of the agency and/or parent's progress towards the court approved placement
- Linked clients with services within the agency, depending on the client's needs
- Documented in a timely manner and to ensure all documentation is clear, specific, and precise.
Assertive Cmty Treatment Case Mgr, Full-Time 40hrs
Pathways Center For Learning & Behavioral Health
04.2014 - 11.2014
- Responsible for assessing needs, identifying adequate resources, discussing these resources with client, and making the connection to meet the client's needs
- Assisted Consumer's by advocating, teaching, demonstrating, monitoring, and/or role modeling new functional skills
- Provided community linkage to various resources, education, and advocacy
- Coordinated with internal and external entities such as therapists, doctors, schools, and the legal system
- Responsible for discharge and transition planning.
Community Support Individual, Full-Time 40hrs
Twin Cedars Youth & Family Services, Inc.
08.2009 - 09.2014
- Offered support to the youth and families
- Planned proactively to assist youth and family in managing or preventing crisis situations
- Assisted in the development of interpersonal, community coping and functional skills; Assist with personal development and school performance
- Enhanced social and coping skills that alleviate life stresses resulting from the child's emotional disturbance
- Documentation of services using electronic data system (Kaleidacare).
Education
Master of Science in Clinical Psychology -
Troy University
Phoenix City, AL01.2016
Bachelor of Science in Human Services -
Troy University
Phoenix City, AL01.2008
CORE COMPENTENCIES
- Strong Oral and Written Communication Skills
- Advocacy/Policy setting and HIPAA Compliant
- Works well independently and as a collaborator.
- Suicide Prevention and Crisis Intervention Skills
- Extreme Adaptability to Organizational Change and Dynamic Situations
- Technical Competencies: Microsoft, SharePoint, Text Transfers/ CWCN
- Uses critical decision-making skills to quickly and accurately prioritize difficult situations.
- Exceptional ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a challenging
environment
Timeline
Social Science Specialist, GS:11- Full-Time 40hrs
Department of Veterans Affairs
06.2019 - Current
Intake Assessment Counselor, Full-Time 40hrs
Tanner Medical Center
10.2016 - 06.2019
Social Service Case Manager, Full-Time 40hrs
Carroll Co. DFCS
12.2014 - 10.2016
Assertive Cmty Treatment Case Mgr, Full-Time 40hrs
Pathways Center For Learning & Behavioral Health
04.2014 - 11.2014
Community Support Individual, Full-Time 40hrs
Twin Cedars Youth & Family Services, Inc.
08.2009 - 09.2014
Master of Science in Clinical Psychology -
Troy University
Bachelor of Science in Human Services -
Troy University
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