Denise West
Wood River,IL
Summary
Multi-faceted social work professional with an abundance of experience in the areas of substance use disorders, care coordination/discharge planning, mental health services, and leadership. Adept at using critical thinking skills to provide outstanding services to patients, families, community partners, and colleagues. Passionate about helping people manage medical/mental health and improve quality of life.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Travel Social Worker-Mental Health Therapist
American Medical Services
06.2023 - Current
- Performed client assessments and developed treatment plans.
- Developed treatment plans.
- Provide group and individual counseling.
- Participated in multidisciplinary team meeting on Restorative Housing Unit.
- Monitored and reported medication compliance to psychiatrist.
- Worked collaboratively with other mental health professionals to provide consistent care and minimize diversion.
- Completed one-on-one counseling with broad range of clients suffering from schizophrenia and bipolar diseases and issues.
Care Coordination Services Senior Program Manager
Optum/SSM Health
05.2022 - 03.2023
- Manage daily operations/performance for team of 24 case managers and office staff.
- Facilitate tiered huddles with direct reports and executive leaders.
- Generated reports and tracked data to identify and improve outcomes for discharge planning.
- Established and maintained effective communication with staff, physicians and community organizations to promote high quality patient care.
- Recruited, hired and trained all staff, providing direct supervision, ongoing staff development and continuing education to employees.
- Participated in planning and implementation process to reduce long length of stay.
- Liaised with other healthcare professionals to develop comprehensive patient care plans and provide highest quality of care.
Lead Social Worker
SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital
01.2021 - 05.2022
- (Promotion) Assist VP of Care Coordination with oversight of social workers across five hospitals.
- Oversee daily operations to ensure regulatory compliance by social workers, interview/onboard new hires,
- Assist patients/families with accessing community resources.
- Supported patients and families with empathy and compassion during difficult times.
- Nurture relationships with community liaisons, programs, and skilled nursing facilities and social welfare agencies to secure needed services for patients and families.
- Participate in leadership meetings and providing daily/weekly/quarterly reports to VP of Care Coordination.
Medical Social Worker
SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital
07.2018 - 01.2021
- Completed psychosocial evaluations and needs assessments.
- Worked with medical teams, patients and families to implement effective treatment plans.
- Coordinated individualized discharge plans to manage safe transition back into community and home environments.
- Coordinated patient care with nurse case managers, insurance providers, medical providers, and EMS providers in bi-state area (MO/IL)
- Explained medical care options to help families make informed healthcare decisions.
- Maintained medical record by entering documentation, communication, and updates using Epic software.
- Worked with Palliative and Hospice teams to counsel patients/families facing end of life planning.
Behavioral Health Social Worker
SSM Health DePaul Hospital - St. Louis
04.2016 - 06.2018
- Conducted biopsychosocial assessments, individual, and group counseling on locked adult behavioral health unit.
- Participated in cross-disciplinary treatment team meetings.
- Linked patients/families with community mental health follow up services.
- Conducted patient/family meetings to provide fundamental education on complexities of mental health diagnoses, treatment, and outcomes.
- Participated in de-escalation and intervention planning to address mental health emergencies.
- Collaborated with community partners to ensure safe discharge planning.
Director of Social Services
Guardian Angel Settlement Association
06.2012 - 08.2015
- Established preliminary and comprehensive assessment for social service needs of consumers.
- Constructed short- and long-term planning to improve client programs.
- Delegated authority and responsibility to department personnel.
- Collaborated with department managers to correct and improve services.
- Developed and created programs and monitored effectiveness against individual participant needs.
- Recruited, interviewed, and hired staff members offering exceptional talent and brought great skills to team.
- Conducted community workshops, promoting various programs and educating public on available services.
Assistant Director of Substance Use Programs
Gateway Foundation Rehab Centers
12.2008 - 05.2012
- Responsible for overseeing operation of three state, DMH-funded state corrections and four federal corrections-based substance use/co-occurring programs; managing 34 employees.
- Trained and mentored new employees on industry practices and business operations.
- Managed client services and initiated corrective actions necessary to ensure contractual compliance.
- Developed and facilitated in-service training for clinical staffs.
- Assisted senior leadership in managing all aspects of operations.
- Partnered with educators to instruct and mentor students pursuing advanced degrees.
Clinical Supervisor
Gateway Foundation Rehab Centers
09.2006 - 12.2008
- Lead and directed team of 12 clinical personnel and support staff, developing and adjusting schedules.
- Facilitate hiring of qualified substance abuse counselors by interviewing applicants and making recommendations for employment.
- Responded to substance use crisis situations with calm and professional approach to optimize support.
- Facilitated clinical case conferences with probation/parole.
- Partnered with community programs to enhance and promote viable client resources.
- Developed and implement strategic plans for program improvement and staff retention.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Grambling State University
Grambling, LAMaster of Social Work - Social Work
Washington University in St Louis
St Louis, MOSkills
- Complex Problem-Solving
- Community Resource Management
- Community Mental Health Programs
- Treatment Planning
- Discharge Planning
- Group Counseling
- Electronic Medical Record Software
- Substance Abuse Treatment
- Developing Relationships
- Psychosocial Assessments
- Crisis Intervention
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Certification
Qualified Mental Health Professional-Trainee (VA)
#0734009420, expire on 06/30/2028
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Quote
" If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded.
Maya Angelou
Timeline
Travel Social Worker-Mental Health Therapist
American Medical Services
06.2023 - Current
Care Coordination Services Senior Program Manager
Optum/SSM Health
05.2022 - 03.2023
Lead Social Worker
SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital
01.2021 - 05.2022
Medical Social Worker
SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital
07.2018 - 01.2021
Behavioral Health Social Worker
SSM Health DePaul Hospital - St. Louis
04.2016 - 06.2018
Director of Social Services
Guardian Angel Settlement Association
06.2012 - 08.2015
Assistant Director of Substance Use Programs
Gateway Foundation Rehab Centers
12.2008 - 05.2012
Clinical Supervisor
Gateway Foundation Rehab Centers
09.2006 - 12.2008
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Grambling State University
Master of Social Work - Social Work
Washington University in St Louis