Work History
Education
Skills
Client Assessment
Vocational Planning
Professional Licenses And Certifications
Military Training
Professional Summary
Patient Assessment
Treatment Plans
Patient Services
Social Work Internships
Previous Experience
Client Services
Military Experience
Awards
References
Timeline
Generic

DEREK HOWARD

Augusta,United States

Work History

Sergeant

U.S. Army
11.2011 - 04.2020
  • Deliver a broad spectrum of educational, vocational, career development, and Department of Veterans Affairs benefits counseling to a 127-person Army Reserves unit
  • Provide clinical counseling, crisis intervention, disaster relief, critical event debriefing, teaching and training, supervision, research, administration, consultation, and policy development services to clientele.

Social Work Intern

Oceanside Counseling Center
10.2016 - 06.2017
  • Counselled and empowered substance and alcohol abuse clients who sought to break free from their addictions.

Social Work Intern

Sheltering Arms/Safe Space
03.2016 - 08.2016
  • Counselled and empowered mental health patients who sought shelter from volatile environments.

Voluntary Service Assistant

Department of Veterans Affairs
02.2013 - 11.2014
  • Assisted veterans and their dependents/survivors with pursuing available benefits, services, and assistance as provided by the U.S
  • Government
  • Served as an administrator for the MyHealtheVet website; responded to client inquiries received via email and telephone.

Senior Financial Services Representative

Principal Financial Group
06.2007 - 08.2008

Client Development Consultant—Client Services

Direct Plans, Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association
09.1993 - 05.2007

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

Department Of Veteran Administration
04.2020 - 01.2022
  • Implemented evidence-based practices in counseling sessions, fostering growth and positive change in clients'' lives.
  • Developed strong rapport with clients by demonstrating empathy and understanding of their unique challenges.
  • Conducted labor market research to better inform clients of potential career opportunities.
  • Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams for comprehensive client support and improved outcomes.
  • Supported clients during both pre-employment preparation and post-placement adjustment periods for long-term success in the workforce.
  • Advocated for reasonable accommodations, supporting clients in overcoming workplace barriers.

Education

Master’s Degree - Social Work

Adelphi University
NY, 11530
05.2017

Master’s Degree - Public Administration

Metropolitan College of New York
NY, 10006
08.2013

Bachelor’s Degree - Political Science

State University of New York at Oswego
NY, 13126
05.1992

Skills

  • Disability Knowledge
  • Collaborative Partnerships
  • Caseload Management
  • Documentation skills
  • Assessment skills

Client Assessment

Collect information about individuals or clients, using interviews, case histories, observational techniques, and other assessment methods. Document patient information, including session notes, progress notes, recommendations, and treatment plans. Analyze gathered data to identify symptoms and to diagnose the nature of clients’ problems. Evaluate results of counseling methods to determine the reliability and validity of treatments. Counsel individuals, groups, or families to help them understand problems, deal with crises, define goals, and develop realistic action plans. Advise clients on how they could be helped by counseling.

Vocational Planning

Collaborate with clients regarding employment resource development and placement. Liaise with medical personnel as authorized by clients to review medical records and other relevant information. Refer clients to specialists or to other institutions for advanced services outside of areas of expertise.

Professional Licenses And Certifications

Licensed Master Social Worker, State of New York, 11/2017

Military Training

  • Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense Officer Basic Training, 2009
  • Hazardous Materials (HAMZAT) Waste Handling, 2009
  • Primary Leadership Development Course, 2009

Professional Summary

More than 8 years of combined experience and education in social work practices. Acquired expertise in the practice and application of accepted counseling theories and techniques. Proactively review laws and statutes affecting client case management, and adapt practices and approaches to conform accordingly. Conduct patient assessments, develop treatment and intervention plans, facilitate individual and group counseling, and orchestrate educational classes and workshops on social issues. Exhibit highest ethical standards regarding patient confidentiality, as well as adherence to federal and state laws.

Patient Assessment

Identify the proper assessment method based on patients’ exhibited behaviors. Establish a level of trust with patients to alleviate feelings of hostilities, lack of trust, or indifference in order to reach the core root of a patent’s issue and work toward establishing an action plan. Able to quickly recognize emotional and behavioral disorders and their levels as a first step toward developing comprehensive treatment plans.

Treatment Plans

Create proactive patient treatment based on initial assessments, patient observation, statistical research, and other information relevant to patient’s diagnosis. Evaluate and adjust plans based on patient progress or lack thereof. Collaborate with medical professionals authorized to treat patients.

Patient Services

Develop and deliver group counseling, role-playing, seminars, and presentations, as well as other forms of therapeutic counseling and education, to help patients and their families gain a better understanding of their conditions.

Social Work Internships

  • Sheltering Arms/Safe Space, Far Rockaway, NY, 03/2016, 08/2016, Counselled and empowered mental health patients who sought shelter from volatile environments.
  • Oceanside Counseling Center, Oceanside, NY, 10/2016, 06/2017, Counselled and empowered substance and alcohol abuse clients who sought to break free from their addictions.

Previous Experience

  • Department of Veterans Affairs, Brooklyn, NY, 02/2013, 11/2014, Assisted veterans and their dependents/survivors with pursuing available benefits, services, and assistance as provided by the U.S. government. Served as an administrator for the MyHealtheVet website; responded to client inquiries received via email and telephone.
  • Principal Financial Group, Charlotte, NC, 06/2007, 08/2008, Senior Financial Services Representative
  • Direct Plans, Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association, Charlotte, NC, 09/1993, 05/2007, Client Development Consultant—Client Services

Client Services

Provide numerous counseling services to staff members and their dependents. Deploy a variety of treatment modalities to arrive at the root of client issues and to determine the best treatment course of action. Schedule confidential appointments, orchestrate any applicable billing with insurance companies, and facilitate outsourcing to trusted partners and third-party services deemed appropriate for clients’ specific needs. Conform to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) directives.

Military Experience

  • U.S. Army Reserves, 04/2012, Present, SGT, E-5, Chemical Operations Specialist, 74D2O
  • U.S. Army, 09/28/2008, 02/2012, Honorable Discharge, SPC, E-4, Chemical Operations Specialist, 74D10

Awards

  • Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/Campaign Star
  • Army Commendation Medal
  • Army Achievement Medal
  • National Defense Service Medal
  • Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

References

  • Yvette Cintron
  • Veterans Administration, Chief of Voluntary Services, 718 630-3614, Yvette.Cintron@va.gov
  • Rafael Duran
  • Army Reserve, Staff Sergeant, 917-607-8251, Radunu@msn.com

Timeline

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

Department Of Veteran Administration
04.2020 - 01.2022

Social Work Intern

Oceanside Counseling Center
10.2016 - 06.2017

Social Work Intern

Sheltering Arms/Safe Space
03.2016 - 08.2016

Voluntary Service Assistant

Department of Veterans Affairs
02.2013 - 11.2014

Sergeant

U.S. Army
11.2011 - 04.2020

Senior Financial Services Representative

Principal Financial Group
06.2007 - 08.2008

Client Development Consultant—Client Services

Direct Plans, Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association
09.1993 - 05.2007

Master’s Degree - Social Work

Adelphi University

Master’s Degree - Public Administration

Metropolitan College of New York

Bachelor’s Degree - Political Science

State University of New York at Oswego

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