Elizabeth Barnett Velazquez

I deliver behavioral health care to patients from diverse backgrounds, completing thorough psychosocial evaluations with the goal of creating therapeutic treatment plans catered to a patient's specific strengths and needs. These treatment plans include measurable achievements, encouraging feedback from patients, families, providers, and community members. I prioritize patient safety and well-being, making necessary referrals within the DHA organization, Military, and community. I participate in monthly on-call shifts to support ER patients in crisis across all ages. I consistently complete all required documentation on time with no missed deadlines. I am regularly seeking opportunities to improve clinic processes and support team efficiency. I am a member of the ATAMMC Ethics Committee and I advocate for equitable patient-centered care while also championing my colleagues' needs for support and recognition.

While employed at WRNMMC, I spent time in multiple clinics, including but not limited to the Pediatric Unit, PICU, Cardiology, Limb Preservation, OBGYN/Maternal/Infant/Child Unit, Outpatient Palliative Care, and the ICU. The majority of my time at WRNMMC was spent in the Emergency Department and the Inpatient Neuropsychiatry/TBI/ABI Program. I assessed each patient for individual identified psychosocial needs and made the necessary referrals to connect to services both within Walter Reed and within the community; to include, but not limited to: CPS, APS, FAP, CAPS Clinics, Skilled Nursing Facilities, Polytrauma Rehabilitation Programs, Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities. I frequently coordinated continuation of care for patients both within the Tricare System and other local and non-local Military Healthcare Systems. I also frequently provided medical crisis counseling and services within a multidisciplinary setting, while coordinating and assisting with facilitating appropriate discharge planning services.

I spent over 10 years of my life working as a Renal Social Worker in dialysis. I spent 5 years working in a small, rural community with Davita, and then 6 years in the DC Metro area with US Renal Care. My roles included completing comprehensive psychosocial assessments, determining areas in need of support and education, developing treatment goals based on those identified needs, managing insurance coverage for medical treatment and medications, and facilitate referrals to the community along with private state & federal agencies. A large part of my role included educating patients and families on treatment modalities; including but not limited to modes of dialysis and transplant processes. I developed an extensive amount of knowledge related to Medicare, Medicaid, and Commercial insurance coverage, with the goal of ensuring patient treatments and medications are affordable. I regularly coordinated and participated in meetings with the multidisciplinary team and ensured timely and appropriate communication with patients and their families. Prior to my transition out of Renal Social Work, I was a member of the USRC Social Work Advisory Board and had become a preceptor for newly hired social workers.

While working towards earning my Clinical Social Work License, I was employed at For All Seasons, Inc., which is a community outpatient mental health and victim services clinic. During my time there I provided mental health services for children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families with issues related to grief, divorce, domestic violence, sexual abuse, and marital/family problems and challenges. I completed psychosocial/cognitive status evaluations, while evaluating patients' physical, emotional, and mental health. I utilized screening tools for substance/alcohol abuse and assessed patients' available support systems. I worked with a qualified Social Work Supervisor who would provide helpful collaboration and consider my time at For All Seasons as valuable to my growth as a Clinician.

My first job once completing Graduate School and earning my LGSW was through the State of Maryland's Department of Mental Health & Hygiene. In this role I performed home visits throughout the county, completing Psychosocial Assessments of clients and determining level of safety in homes. By the end of each visit, each client's needs were assessed, and clients were referred to appropriate state and local community agencies as needed. Required working with a multidisciplinary team including but not limited to a Nurse and a Social Worker. Cultivated relationships with outside resources, including but not limited to: Department of Social Services, Adult Protective Services, Maryland Home Nursing Waiver Program, and assisting clients and families with Nursing and Assisted Living Home placement.