Erin Gora
Wilmington,NC
Summary
Highly organized and dependable team player with a proven track record of success in effectively managing multiple priorities and taking on additional responsibilities to achieve team goals. Maintains a positive attitude throughout.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Social Worker, Dementia Care and Palliative Care
Lower Cape Fear LifeCare
Wilmington, NC
06.2021 - Current
- Contribute to the development of the Memory Partners Program to support people living with dementia and their caregivers; contributions include development of support groups, writing and distributing a monthly newsletter, consulting with program manager and team members about next steps, and creation of a social work internship in the dementia care program, establish a weekly mediation practice offered to team members and program participants.
- Complete thorough assessments of client health and functional status and caregiver needs in order to provide tailored education and referrals to appropriate resources and partner programs.
- Provide professional counseling to people living with dementia or other serious, life-limiting illnesses and their caregivers via individual consultations and support groups
- Provide ongoing education to program participants regarding disease process and strategies for successful community-based caregiving and behavior management over the course of disease progression
- Facilitate therapeutic expressive arts interventions utilizing evidenced-based integrative methods to provide creative outlets for patients and caregivers.
- Help caregivers develop new coping mechanisms and techniques to drive behavior modification.
- Help clients and caregivers with recognizing and managing mental health concerns through evidence-based interventions.
- Facilitate group therapy sessions to build supportive, communicative client networks.
- Participate in professional development and training opportunities to enhance clinical skills.
- Facilitate psychoeducational classes to help caregivers develop skills for caring for someone with dementia.
Real Estate Broker
Dram Tree Realty
Wilmington. NC
02.2020 - Current
- Interview clients to assess real estate goals and devise plans for attaining them
- Counsel clients through complex transactions
- Build relationships within the industry to ensure competent service providers and smooth transactions
- Utilize social media, and other online marketing outlets to reach an expansive target audience to ensure a continuing influx of business
- Communicate with sphere of influence to convey current market trends, incentives and other industry related information
- Research market trends and statistics to stay current and offer clients the most up to date services and information.
- Advised clients on mortgage and housing conditions to identify successful properties and promote customer satisfaction.
- Negotiated real estate contracts to navigate transactions between buyers and sellers.
- Conducted competitive market analysis to determine optimal pricing for properties.
Director of Social Services
Trinty Grove Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation
Wilmington, NC
12.2015 - 05.2021
- Assessed and monitored psycho-social health for geriatric residents in 100 bed skilled nursing facility
- Provided counseling to residents and their families as they work through end-of-life issues and related difficulties, utilizing strategies from Solution Focused, Cognitive Behavioral and Motivational Interviewing therapeutic models
- Facilitated safe discharges for patients transitioning back into the community by collaborating with patients’ support networks, determining needs and connecting patients with vital resources
- Worked with interdisciplinary team to ensure comprehensive plans of care that address all aspects of bio-psycho-social-spiritual health
- Maintained organized systems to ensure continuity of care in a fast-paced work flow environment
- Collaborated with other members of management team to provide 5-star level of care to both long term care residents and short-term rehab patients
- Established and oversaw BSW/MSW intern program, supervising interns while providing guidance and real work experience in the dynamic field of medical social work in a geriatric care setting
- Maintained current working knowledge of Medicare benefits as related to inpatient rehabilitation and after-care
- Served as Grievance Officer, receiving all official grievances, assigning resolution duties to appropriate staff, monitoring resolutions and maintaining log
- Served as chair-person of hospitality committee - developing solutions to recurring hospitality issues, streamlining admission process and working with staff to ensure residents are satisfied with services
- Served on QAPI governing board
- Served as Communications Officer on Emergency Response Team.
Real Estate Broker
Intracoastal Realty Corp
02.2008 - 02.2020
- Interview clients to assess real estate goals and devise plans for attaining them
- Counsel clients through complex transactions
- Build relationships within the industry to ensure competent service providers and smooth transactions
- Utilize social media, and other online marketing outlets to reach an expansive target audience to ensure a continuing influx of business
- Communicate with sphere of influence to convey current market trends, incentives and other industry related information
- Research market trends and statistics to stay current and offer clients the most up to date services and information.
Director of Social Services
Autumn Care of Myrtle Grove
Wilmington, NC
08.2013 - 12.2015
- Assessed and monitored psycho-social health for geriatric residents in 100 bed skilled nursing facility
- Provided counseling to residents and their families as they work through end-of-life issues and related difficulties, utilizing strategies from Solution Focused, Cognitive Behavioral and Motivational Interviewing therapeutic models
- Facilitated safe discharges for patients transitioning back into the community by collaborating with patients’ support networks, determining needs and connecting patients with vital resources
- Worked with interdisciplinary team to ensure comprehensive plans of care that address all aspects of bio-psycho-social-spiritual health
- Maintained organized systems to ensure continuity of care in a fast-paced work flow environment
- Collaborated with other members of management team to provide 5-star level of care to both long term care residents and short-term rehab patients
- Established and oversaw BSW/MSW intern program, supervising interns while providing guidance and real work experience in the dynamic field of medical social work in a geriatric care setting
- Maintained current working knowledge of Medicare benefits as related to inpatient rehabilitation and after-care
- Served as Grievance Officer, receiving all official grievances, assigning resolution duties to appropriate staff, monitoring resolutions and maintaining log
- Served as chair-person of hospitality committee - developing solutions to recurring hospitality issues, streamlining admission process and working with staff to ensure residents are satisfied with services
- Served on QAPI governing board
- Served as Communications Officer on Emergency Response Team.
Graduate Assistant
UNCW
08.2011 - 06.2013
- Conducted research related to building resilience in adolescent students
- Facilitated resilience group with at-risk adolescents at DC Virgo Preparatory Academy
- Researched and brainstormed for Innovation Committee as part of University Planning initiative
- Organized monthly policy roundtable in which speakers from various backgrounds spoke with UNSW MSW students regarding current social policy issues.
Intern
A Helping Hand of Wilmington
01.2012 - 05.2013
- Provided individual therapy for pro bono clients, utilizing MI, CBT, SFBT models to provide integrated approach to therapy
- Facilitated 2 psychotherapy groups, one focused on maintaining sobriety and the other on coping with ongoing mental health issues
- Assisted new clients with intake process
- Conducted bio/psycho/social assessments for new clients to determine appropriate diagnoses and treatment plans
- Shadowed CST, Drug Court, SAIOP and IIH services
- Completed case notes utilizing Alphaflex system.
Case Manager
Cape Fear Volunteer Center Big Buddy Program
10.2010 - 04.2011
- Recruited, interviewed and oriented program participants
- Matched mentors to Little Buddies based on profile information
- Organized monthly social events for mentors and their Little Buddies to enhance sense of community and belonging
- Compiled data to show benefits of mentorship for use in grant writing
- Developed and implemented new mentor training program to facilitate enriched mentor relationships
- Maintained regular contact with all relevant parties to encourage ongoing active and effective participation.
Real Estate Broker
Carolina Residential Realty
03.2006 - 02.2008
- Interview clients to assess real estate goals and devise plans for attaining them
- Counsel clients through complex transactions
- Build relationships within the industry to ensure competent service providers and smooth transactions
- Utilize social media, and other online marketing outlets to reach an expansive target audience to ensure a continuing influx of business
- Communicate with sphere of influence to convey current market trends, incentives and other industry related information
- Research market trends and statistics to stay current and offer clients the most up to date services and information.
Clinical Coordinator/Qualified Developmental Disabilities Professional
Community Living-Wilmington/ United Cerebral Palsy of NC
08.2000 - 10.2003
- Supervised 3 direct care staff teams directly, and provided supportive supervision for an additional 5 teams
- Oversaw daily operations of assigned residential facilities for adults with dual mental health and developmental disability diagnoses
- Coordinated medical and psychiatric care for clients
- Linked clients with appropriate resources and services through state and local agencies
- Monitored services to ensure compliance with DFS and OSHA regulations as well as company policies.
Education
MSW -
UNC Wilmington
05.2013
BA Psychology -
UNC Wilmington
05.1999
Skills
- Motivational enhancement therapy
- Records Management
- Client Needs Assessment
- Resource Navigation
Certification
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate (Full licensure Pending)
Timeline
Social Worker, Dementia Care and Palliative Care
Lower Cape Fear LifeCare
06.2021 - Current
Real Estate Broker
Dram Tree Realty
02.2020 - Current
Director of Social Services
Trinty Grove Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation
12.2015 - 05.2021
Director of Social Services
Autumn Care of Myrtle Grove
08.2013 - 12.2015
Intern
A Helping Hand of Wilmington
01.2012 - 05.2013
Graduate Assistant
UNCW
08.2011 - 06.2013
Case Manager
Cape Fear Volunteer Center Big Buddy Program
10.2010 - 04.2011
Real Estate Broker
Intracoastal Realty Corp
02.2008 - 02.2020
Real Estate Broker
Carolina Residential Realty
03.2006 - 02.2008
Clinical Coordinator/Qualified Developmental Disabilities Professional
Community Living-Wilmington/ United Cerebral Palsy of NC
08.2000 - 10.2003
MSW -
UNC Wilmington
BA Psychology -
UNC Wilmington