ERIKA LOPEZ
Houston,TX
Summary
Experienced mental health specialist dedicated to supporting individuals in need of mental health assistance. Skilled in providing patient-centered care and implementing evidence-based interventions. Proficient in utilizing knowledge of mental health and behavioral sciences to help individuals manage their mental health challenges.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Qualified Mental Health Specialist
The Harris Center For Mental Health And IDD
06.2022 - Current
- Under the direction of the licensed clinical social worker, perform clinical assessments for children in a fast-paced environment and able to determine service needs and progress with consumer treatment goals of a caseload of 35-50 clients per month or more, and provide skills training services that address the severe and persistent mental illness and symptom-related problems that interfere with the individual's functioning coordinates access to necessary care and services based on individual needs
- Able to discharge clients and do intakes to the clinic
- Provide training/education on the nature of the mental illness, the importance of medications, and other medication-related information as outlined in The Harris Center curricula
- Utilizes CMBHS and Epic systems and utilizes different mental assessments for treatment plans such as GAD-7, CSSRS, PHQ-9, PHQ-A, CANS, ANSA, DSM-5, NICHQ Vanderbilt, DLA-20, amongst other behavioral health assessments
- Documented client progress in confidential files.
- Provided clients with recommendations to community resources.
- Monitored client progress and provided feedback to families and treatment team members.
- Implemented crisis intervention plans to support client safety.
- Collaborated with medical and clinical personnel to coordinate and implement client services.
- Administered psychological tests and assessments to determine client needs.
- Built partnerships with community agencies and service providers to remove access gaps.
- Developed and implemented activities to help clients develop social and independent living skills.
- Provided case management services to monitor client access to resources and services.
- Educated clients and families about mental health issues, treatments, and resources.
- Revised individual treatment plans for clients with mental health concerns to obtain the best possible outcomes.
- Assessed mental health needs to determine nature and extent of clients' emotional, behavioral or mental health issues.
- Adhered to ethical and legal standards for confidentiality, protecting clients' privacy.
- Documented clients' progress to keep detailed notes on each client's treatment progress and changes in mental health status.
- Provided comprehensive case management services, created treatment plans, and connected clients and families to appropriate resources.
- Observed and monitored client behavior and responses to treatment.
- Consulted with other staff members regarding treatment plans as deemed appropriate by team leader.
Social Work Intern
Your New Beginnings
08.2023 - 05.2024
- Anger Management, Parenting, Parenting for Divorcing Parents, Decision Making, Shoplifting Anti-Theft, Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), Supportive Outpatient Program (SOP), Alcohol & Drug Evaluations.
- The intern assists with facilitating Zoom classes for drugs and alcohol and assists with intakes and the classes above.
- Facilitated group therapy sessions to help clients develop coping skills and improve communication.
- Facilitated psychoeducational classes to help clients develop life skills.
- Evaluated clients' social, emotional and psychological needs to create treatment plans.
- Collaborated with other professionals to plan and coordinate care for clients.
- Participated in interdisciplinary team meetings to coordinate care for clients.
- Provided crisis counseling and intervention services to clients in emergency situations.
- Utilized evidence-based practices to provide effective interventions for clients.
- Facilitated peer support groups to help clients connect with others.
- Participated in professional development and training opportunities to enhance clinical skills.
- Maintained client reports to track client progress, record interventions and provide relevant data for analysis.
- Performed client screenings and accurately recorded data in case files to facilitate clinical case coordination services and case management duties.
Bilingual Personal Assistant
The MindCare Center
05.2022 - 07.2023
- Assist the Licensed professional counselor with submitting and transcribing claims for his clients utilizing CPT codes, ICD codes, and modalities for the session according to the LPC direction
- Also, do other duties such as typing letters for the clients and calling clients to confirm appointments or answer appointment-related questions
- Assist the LPC with office duties such as filing, setting up accounts, and other office-related duties
- Provided multifaceted services to career professionals by running errands, managing mail, scheduling daily appointments, and arranging transportation.
- Responded to emails and other correspondence to facilitate communication and enhance business processes.
Bilingual Eligibility Counselor & Community Health Worker & Screener
Harris Health System
06.2015 - 06.2022
- Responsible for obtaining patient registration, interviewing homeless clients, and gathering demographics, employment, and insurance information in Epic; verified Medicaid TMHP, Medicare FISS, or EMDEON for medical coverage; Processed all eligibility applications. navigating through healthcare systems such as Medicaid, Medicare, QMB, and SSI, among others, to assist our homeless patients. Work independently with no supervision on site.
Obtained a Certified Community Health Worker
and a Certified Counselor for Marketplace
Healthcare certification; I also assisted
management with training new hires and
developed training material for employees. With
the new pandemic, I have been performing
COVID-19 screenings.
Social Work Intern
The Bridge Over Troubled Waters
07.2021 - 01.2022
- Crisis Hotline calls, sanitations process, intake for services, crisis intervention, and translation services in Spanish language, documentation, grant compliance documentation, counseling for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, children/teenagers' assessments, shelter services data research, sexual assault advocacy, sexual assault hospital accompaniment, emergency shelter operations, and assistance with fundraiser benefits while networking
- Mediated between family members to facilitate conflict resolution and build healthy family relationships.
- Responded to crises and emergency situations to provide immediate assistance to persons in need.
Patient Benefit Advisor
The Outsource Group a Parallon Company- The CSI companies
06.2014 - 02.2015
- Conducted Medicaid eligibility screenings and evaluated patients calculating income for federal and state assistance programs such as Medicaid, CHIP, CHIP Perinatal, SSI, A&D or hospital charity application at hospital bedside using MAGI chart; Also, verified insurance and served as a liaison between the patient, hospital and governmental agencies posted Medicaid payment approvals, complete and file applications and use correct TP-codes for Medicaid
- Assisted Doctors and medical staff with medical interpretation from Spanish speakers
- Marketplace Certified Navigator: Assist management-trained new hires; Complete census log daily, and reports to financial counselors, and management
Bilingual Patient Appointment Scheduler
Harris County Hospital District
08.2008 - 01.2011
- Assisted patients, nursing staff, and physicians with scheduling, updating, and cancellations to different clinics and hospital appointments utilizing EPIC scheduling system: Scheduled adult, pediatric, and specialty appointments; Obtained patient demographics, employment, insurance, and financial responsibility information to ensure complete and accurate registration; also responsible for eligibility appointments
- Helped management train new hires, following HCHD policies and scheduling guidelines
- Handled complaints and questions and re-directed calls to other team members.
Education
Master of Social Work - Social Work
Prairie View A & M University
Prairie View, TX05.2024
Bachelor of Social Work - undefined
Indiana Wesleyan University
Marion, IN12.2022
Associate of Arts - Social and Behavioral Science
San Jacinto College
Pasadena, TX05.2018
Associate - Business Administration
San Jacinto College
Pasadena, TX12.2012
Skills
- Quick learner
- Translate and interpret
- Bilingual
- Care Coordinator
- QMHP-CS
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Excel
- Clinical documentation
- Behavioral assessment
- Patient evaluations
- Confidentiality
- Safety and risk assessments
- Goal development
- Building rapport
Certification
- CPR Certification BLS Provider, 06/22
- Mental Health First Aid, 06/22
- Qualified Mental Health Professional, 06/22
- Medication Training and Support, 06/22
- Nurturing Parenting skills for families, 06/22
- Trauma-Informed care, 06/22
- DLA-20 AMH Trained, 06/22
- DLA-20 Youth Trained, 06/22
- DLA-20 IDD Trained, 06/22
- ANSA/CANS Certification, 07/22
- DBT Skills Trained, 08/24
- Battering Intervention Program BIPP
- Anger Management
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Social Work Intern
Your New Beginnings
08.2023 - 05.2024
Qualified Mental Health Specialist
The Harris Center For Mental Health And IDD
06.2022 - Current
Bilingual Personal Assistant
The MindCare Center
05.2022 - 07.2023
Social Work Intern
The Bridge Over Troubled Waters
07.2021 - 01.2022
Bilingual Eligibility Counselor & Community Health Worker & Screener
Harris Health System
06.2015 - 06.2022
Patient Benefit Advisor
The Outsource Group a Parallon Company- The CSI companies
06.2014 - 02.2015
Bilingual Patient Appointment Scheduler
Harris County Hospital District
08.2008 - 01.2011
Bachelor of Social Work - undefined
Indiana Wesleyan University
Associate of Arts - Social and Behavioral Science
San Jacinto College
Associate - Business Administration
San Jacinto College
Master of Social Work - Social Work
Prairie View A & M University
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