Darren Gionson
Summary
Problem-solving Clinical Director qualified to manage health regulations, perform patient care and further motivate talented staff. Enthusiastic professional with background affecting positive patient outcomes, finding creative solutions to administrative issues and interacting with diverse personalities. Focused Clinical Director with a background spent overseeing budget, personnel, and regulatory concerns. A highly collaborative leader with skills in assigning caseloads, participating in meetings with clinical staff and ensuring that facility policies are observed. Offering exemplary communication and organizational skills.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Clinical Director
Gino Behavioral Health
08.2020 - 08.2023
- Managed and Reviewed all Service Authorization Request of patients for initial and continued care of behavioral health services.
- Provides outpatient therapy within the office setting and via tele-health to address mental health needs.
- Learned adaptive measures during pandemic that included learning new ways to provide effective services via tele-health options to a variety of population. Became creative with interventions via tele-health that were engaging and effective ways to provide treatment.
- Introduced new departmental policies and oriented staff to facilitate adoption of changes.
- Devised training programs to close gaps in clinical staffs' competencies.
- Provided onboarding and coaching to new hires to help each feel comfortable in job positions and prepared to handle various responsibilities.
- Improve policies and procedures through development, implementation, revision and evaluation of new protocols.
- Utilized active listening and interpersonal communication skills to build professional relationships with patients, clinical staff and other stakeholders.
- Engaged with other members of community at local events by answering questions and giving informative presentations.
- Recruited individuals bringing talent, well-developed skills sets and passion for helping others, effectively building exceptionally gifted team of personnel.
- Drove attainment of optimal outcomes through case management focused on appropriate treatment, clinical quality assurance and service utilization.
- Created and maintained facility documents and records, maintaining accuracy while managing sensitive data.
Clinical Director
Salvation Army ATS
06.2018 - 07.2020
- Provided clinical supervision, case assignments, and managed phases of treatment with direct care staff to determine when patients met criteria for termination of services provided.
- Completed intakes to identify medical need of services and then recommended appropriate services to meet the need of the patient.
- Provided inpatient therapy to a variety of ages and variety of treatment focus areas and diagnoses.
- Provided crisis services to clients.
- Provided on-call staffing with direct care staff to determine needs of the patient to include determining if crisis evaluation was needed, creating safety plan in collaboration with the client to establish safety.
- Developed, implemented, revised, and evaluated policies and procedures.
- Interacted effectively with clinical staff and patients by using active listening and interpersonal skills.
- Developed and implemented strategic plans enabling facility to meet budgetary and quality assurance goals.
- Provide ongoing case management to patients to implement appropriate treatment plan, adhere to quality models and maximize utilization of services needed to achieve optimal outcomes.
- Coached and trained newly hired employees so that each understood job responsibilities and requirements of positions.
- Monitored, analyzed, and corrected staff performance and worked with nurse manager and clinical staff to raise standards of practice.
- Implemented new policies and educated staff on changes.
- Interviewed and hired highly talented individuals bringing great skills and passion to daily jobs.
- Developed and adjusted work schedules for clinical staff.
- Facilitate hiring of qualified Detox personnel by interview applicants and making recommendations for employment.
- Conducted routine facility inspections, identifying areas needing improvement and eliminating hazards posed to staff and residents for continued compliance with associated regulations.
- Recruited, hired and trained all staff, providing direct supervision, ongoing staff development and continuing education to employees.
- Established and maintained effective communication with staff, physicians and community organizations to promote high quality patient care.
Clinical Director
Hope Inc.
09.2017 - 06.2018
- Developed and optimized treatment plans to help clients continue to progress.
- Assessed mental and physical conditions of clients by consulting with professionals, conducting interviews and completing assessments.
- Met with 4-8 clients weekly.
- Enhanced counseling services with multifaceted approach incorporating multiple disciplines.
- Facilitated weekly group sessions focused on various issues to help groups and individuals.
- Helped clients deal with substance abuse, mental illness and other concerns by delivering personalized counseling support.
- Referred clients to external resources for additional support.
- Educated family members and helped each support clients by improving coping techniques.
- Collaborated closely with treatment team to appropriately coordinate client care services.
- Referred clients to other programs and community agencies to enhance treatment processes.
- Taught clients anger management techniques, relaxation skills, impulse control, social skills, emotional coping skills and functional living skills.
- Interacted effectively with clinical staff and patients by using active listening and interpersonal skills.
- Monitored, analyzed, and corrected staff performance and worked with clinical staff and interns to raise standards of practice.
- Coached and trained newly hired employees so that each understood job responsibilities and requirements of positions.
- Interviewed and hired highly talented individuals bringing great skills and passion to daily jobs.
- Developed and updated policies and procedures, maintaining compliance with guidelines relating to HIPAA, benefits administration and general liability.
- Conducted routine facility inspections, identifying areas needing improvement and eliminating hazards posed to staff and residents for continued compliance with associated regulations.
- Monitored and inspected staff processes to eliminate hazards posed for both residents and staff while ensuring continuous compliance with regulations.
Substance Abuse Counselor
Hoomaukeola
01.2016 - 08.2017
- Provided counseling and support to clients with drug and alcohol abuse issues.
- Developed individual treatment goals based on history and diagnosis.
- Supported and assessed clients struggling with addiction or relationship issues and devised strategies based on client needs.
- Facilitated group and individual therapy in outpatient setting.
- Provided comprehensive case management services, created treatment plans, and connected clients and families to appropriate resources.
- Developed goal-oriented psychoeducational and activity therapy groups to improve clients' level of functioning.
- Completed required documentation for continued therapy coverage by insurance companies to meet deadlines.
- Used knowledge of different treatment modalities to provide clients with individualized options for successful outcomes.
- Taught substance abuse classes to help clients understand consequences of drug and alcohol use.
- Supported aftercare planning for continued recovery after treatment.
- Coordinated care with other professionals to provide clients with comprehensive support.
- Kept accurate and detailed records to track and document client progress.
- Provided crisis intervention to address clients' immediate needs and prevent harmful behaviors.
- Monitored client progress to make necessary adjustments for client success.
- Coordinated referrals for addiction services based on individual client needs and preferences.
- Displayed sensitivity to cultural and linguistic needs of clients and families served.
- Guided clients in effective therapeutic exercises integrated from Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
Managed Care Counselor, Substance Abuse Counselor
Hina Mauka
11.2013 - 12.2015
- Communicated closely with other counselors to ensure authorization approval for 150 to 200 clients.
- Conducted insurance checks twice monthly to validate or modify funding sources for accurate authorizations and billing.
- Used cognitive behavior therapy to assist clients in recognizing and redirecting poor habits.
- Developed and expanded referral system of service providers to assist clients in attaining services.
- Implemented evidence-based therapeutic interventions to promote positive behavior change.
- Acted as client advocate to coordinate required services or resolve emergency problems in crisis situations.
- Developed individualized counseling plans for clients to incorporate short-term and long-term goals.
- Engaged clients in conversation to determine feelings and apprehensions.
- Facilitated weekly group sessions to encourage self-reflection and problem-solving.
- Collaborated with other professionals to coordinate comprehensive care for clients.
- Managed patients with substance dependence and co-occurring Axis I and Axis II disorders.
- Educated clients on dangers of substance abuse and prevention techniques.
- Kept accurate and detailed records to track and document client progress.
- Taught substance abuse classes to help clients understand consequences of drug and alcohol use.
- Supported aftercare planning for continued recovery after treatment.
- Monitored client progress to make necessary adjustments for client success.
- Completed required documentation for continued therapy coverage by insurance companies to meet deadlines.
- Coordinated care with other professionals to provide clients with comprehensive support.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Demonstrated leadership skills in managing projects from concept to completion.
Substance Abuse Counselor
Action With Aloha
06.2013 - 11.2013
- Provided counseling and support to clients with drug and alcohol abuse issues.
- Developed individual treatment goals based on history and diagnosis.
- Supported and assessed clients struggling with addiction or relationship issues and devised strategies based on client needs.
- Facilitated group and individual therapy in outpatient setting.
- Provided comprehensive case management services, created treatment plans, and connected clients and families to appropriate resources.
- Developed goal-oriented psychoeducational and activity therapy groups to improve clients' level of functioning.
- Completed required documentation for continued therapy coverage by insurance companies to meet deadlines.
- Used knowledge of different treatment modalities to provide clients with individualized options for successful outcomes.
- Taught substance abuse classes to help clients understand consequences of drug and alcohol use.
- Supported aftercare planning for continued recovery after treatment.
- Coordinated care with other professionals to provide clients with comprehensive support.
- Kept accurate and detailed records to track and document client progress.
- Provided crisis intervention to address clients' immediate needs and prevent harmful behaviors.
- Monitored client progress to make necessary adjustments for client success.
- Coordinated referrals for addiction services based on individual client needs and preferences.
- Displayed sensitivity to cultural and linguistic needs of clients and families served.
- Guided clients in effective therapeutic exercises integrated from Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
Adolescent and Adult Substance Abuse Counselor
Bisac
08.2010 - 05.2013
- Provided comprehensive case management services, created treatment plans, and connected clients and families to appropriate resources.
- Provided counseling and support to clients with drug and alcohol abuse issues.
- Developed individual treatment goals based on history and diagnosis.
- Facilitated group and individual therapy in outpatient setting.
- Supported and assessed clients struggling with addiction or relationship issues and devised strategies based on client needs.
- Developed goal-oriented psychoeducational and activity therapy groups to improve clients' level of functioning.
- Monitored client progress to make necessary adjustments for client success.
- Completed required documentation for continued therapy coverage by insurance companies to meet deadlines.
- Taught substance abuse classes to help clients understand consequences of drug and alcohol use.
- Provided crisis intervention to address clients' immediate needs and prevent harmful behaviors.
- Kept accurate and detailed records to track and document client progress.
- Used knowledge of different treatment modalities to provide clients with individualized options for successful outcomes.
- Coordinated care with other professionals to provide clients with comprehensive support.
- Supported aftercare planning for continued recovery after treatment.
- Coordinated referrals for addiction services based on individual client needs and preferences.
- Displayed sensitivity to cultural and linguistic needs of clients and families served.
- Guided clients in effective therapeutic exercises integrated from Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
Board Member, Judges, Magistrate Judges
State Of Hawaii Attorney Generals Office
01.2006 - 12.2010
- Monitored court proceedings for adherence to legal procedures and rules by attorneys and litigants.
- Heard oral debate and testimony before court to establish case facts and litigants' arguments.
- Reviewed legal documents and memos to make determinations on pre-trial issues, motions, and final rulings.
- Reviewed pleadings, motions and evidence to assess admissibility and relevance to case.
- Determined proper sentencing, monetary fees and damages to be paid on basis of case facts and established guidelines.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
Education
Master's in Social Work - Social Work And Mental Health
University of Hawaii At Manoa
Honolulu, HI08.2010
Bachelors Degree - Psychology
University of Hawaii - West Oahu
Kapolei, HI12.2008
Certificate of Completion For Substance Abuse Coun - Substance Abuse Counseling
Leeward Community College
Pearl City, HI08.2007
Associates Degree - Psychology
Leeward Community College
Pearl City, HI08.2006
Skills
- Unit supervision
- Managing caseload management
- Clinical standards
- Unit leadership
- Treatment service implementation
- Compliance with regulatory guidelines
- Exemplary communication skills
- Clinical education
- Client records administration
- Developing training programs
- Employee performance evaluations
- Complying with regulatory guidelines
- Improving clinical quality outcomes
- Staff development
- Patient Care
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Clinical Research
- Patient Relations
- HIPAA
- Shift Scheduling
- Collaborative Skills
- Community Outreach Programs
- Effective Communication
- Staff Development
- Patient Education
- Exemplary Communication Skills
- Case Management
Timeline
Clinical Director
Gino Behavioral Health
08.2020 - 08.2023
Clinical Director
Salvation Army ATS
06.2018 - 07.2020
Clinical Director
Hope Inc.
09.2017 - 06.2018
Substance Abuse Counselor
Hoomaukeola
01.2016 - 08.2017
Managed Care Counselor, Substance Abuse Counselor
Hina Mauka
11.2013 - 12.2015
Substance Abuse Counselor
Action With Aloha
06.2013 - 11.2013
Adolescent and Adult Substance Abuse Counselor
Bisac
08.2010 - 05.2013
Board Member, Judges, Magistrate Judges
State Of Hawaii Attorney Generals Office
01.2006 - 12.2010
Master's in Social Work - Social Work And Mental Health
University of Hawaii At Manoa
Bachelors Degree - Psychology
University of Hawaii - West Oahu
Certificate of Completion For Substance Abuse Coun - Substance Abuse Counseling
Leeward Community College
Associates Degree - Psychology
Leeward Community College