Rosemary Fitzgerald-Shuster
Addictions Counselor
Morse Bluff,NE
Summary
I am passionate about investing in the lives of individuals and helping each person to grow and gain their own personal strength. I believe people need to be encouraged to say what they feel and think; this allows the opportunity for the deepest understanding of themselves and their experiences. I believe people should be given the opportunity to improve and expand all areas of their life as they wish. I also believe empathy is my greatest strength. Only when acting out of empathy can I understand other people. When I empathize with those in need, I can understand their pain and circumstances, and so I am obligated to help them, to comfort them and understanding their struggles.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Substance Abuse Counselor Intern
Cultivating Paths Counseling Services
Omaha, NE
09.2021 - 03.2022
- Led supportive group discussions and education sessions with alcohol and drug users and families.
- Supported and assessed clients struggling with addiction or relationship issues and devised strategies based on client needs.
- Developed goal-oriented psychoeducational and activity therapy groups to improve clients' level of functioning.
- Provided comprehensive case management services, created treatment plans and connected clients and families to appropriate resources.
LifeSkills/Workforce Development Coordinator
LifeHouse, Inc
Fremont, NE
01.2018 - 01.2020
- Establish and maintain confidential client database.
- Provide Client centered education, life skills and behavioral health programs, transition services, and community programs.
- Assure accuracy and timeliness of reports, claims and bills, - Professional interpersonal communication - Implement program and procedural changes to improve program performance and client outcomes.
- Preparing reports for committees, board members & executive director - Coordinate event committees; plan, staff and accomplish committee goals
Case Manager
ResCare
Columbus, NE
10.2017 - 04.2018
- Participated in professional growth programs to support program efficiency efforts.
- Identified needs of individual participants and coordinated resources based on procedural expectations, participant performance and program protocols.
- Facilitated education placement process in partnership with participants and community colleges and institutions, to provide free appropriate education for eligible referrals.
- Evaluated employment and/or educational plans against individual goals and program standards. Insuring best practices for both participant and program.
Administrative Specialist I and II
Veterans Affairs
Salem, OR
10.2014 - 06.2017
- Nationally Certified Public Guardian and Fiduciary, assisting mentally, emotionally and/or physically challenged veterans with their benefits, income, estates and care.
- Initiated contact with appropriate service providers to request referrals and followed up to confirm delivery of necessary services.
- Maintained accurate records and full compliance with government regulations and agency guidelines.
- Facilitated referrals for veterans to appropriate community agencies and organizations to meet basic and/or individual needs.
- Conducted community workshops to promote Veterans Conservatorship programs and educate veterans and their families on available services.
- Coordinated solutions for high volume of inquiries per day while meeting and exceeding performance expectations.
Program Assistant
The Arc Oregon
Salem, OR
01.2008 - 01.2012
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Chemical Dependency Counseling
Metropolitan Community College
Omaha, NE 05.2020 - 05.2022
Certified Medical Billing Specialist -
NW Institute For Medical Billing And Coding
Salem OR 04.2014 - 09.2014
Legal Clerical Certificate -
Empire Business College
Santa Rosa CA 06.1994 - 08.1995
Skills
Microsoft Office SuiteTyping 45 wpmElectronic Database managementResource Management, per case basisVarious Filing systemsClient communicationCoordination of conferencesIndividual, family and group counselingHIPAA Regulations
Policy reinforcement
Assessing performance
Relationship building and management
Problem-Solving
Timeline
Substance Abuse Counselor Intern
Cultivating Paths Counseling Services
09.2021 - 03.2022
Associate of Applied Science - Chemical Dependency Counseling
Metropolitan Community College
05.2020 - 05.2022
LifeSkills/Workforce Development Coordinator
LifeHouse, Inc
01.2018 - 01.2020
Case Manager
ResCare
10.2017 - 04.2018
Administrative Specialist I and II
Veterans Affairs
10.2014 - 06.2017
Certified Medical Billing Specialist -
NW Institute For Medical Billing And Coding
04.2014 - 09.2014
Program Assistant
The Arc Oregon
01.2008 - 01.2012
Legal Clerical Certificate -
Empire Business College
06.1994 - 08.1995