Janet Thomas
Oak Park,Illinois
Summary
Compassionate Social Services Worker with background in providing support services to diverse populations. Strengths include crisis intervention, case management, and community outreach. Demonstrated the ability to build trust and rapport with clients, leading to improved outcomes. Made a significant impact in previous roles by connecting individuals with appropriate resources and assisting them in overcoming personal obstacles.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Social Services Worker
South Shore Rehabilitation
Chicago, IL
11.2020 - Current
- Coordinates discharge planning to ensure a timely discharge through early identification, assessment and intervention for post subacute care needs.
- Collaborates and communicates with multidisciplinary team in all phases of discharge planning, ensures and maintains plan form patient and family, physician, and payer as indicated
- Patient assessment, plan coordination and changes to the plan occur as necessary to ensure that the patient is discharged when medically to acute hospitals, rehabilitative facilities; extended care facilities; other subacute care, psychiatric and chemical dependency care return to home or other living arrangements.
- Provide behavioral health assessment, pscyhotherapy, substance abuse screening and assessment, psychosocial support and referral services.
- Certify patients who require involuntary inpatient hospitalization. Facilitate transfer process for patient requiring an inpatient level of psychiatric care.
- Serves as the point person for plan of care as it applies to discharge planning needs through facilitation of direct and continuous communication and collaborative decision making, including participation in multidisciplinary rounds and case conferences
Program Director
Envision Unlimited
Chicago, IL
04.2019 - 11.2020
- Provided on-site Supervision for a CILA (Community Integrated Living Arrangement for adults with developmental disabilities.); Ensured client receives complete and individualized care; Provide daily management of all staff, ensured proper staff scheduling and staff training; Monitored all data collection, outcome measures, productivity management and reporting to confirm that all outcome measures were being met
- Provided on call 24 hours a day and off-site video monitoring for client safety, staff training needs and to monitor health and safety practices in the house; Maintained and operated CILA within budgetary guidelines; Communicated with parents, support team and participate in clients PCP (Persona Care Plan) as scheduled.
House Lead
Envision Unlimited
Chicago, IL
06.2018 - 04.2019
- Managed a house of 12 clients with disabilities with daily living requirements including but not limited to meal preparation, medication administration, and personal care; Provided direction and supervision to residential support staff working in the house; Managed significant social and behavioral challenges in a supportive, non-restrictive manner; Provided transportation and scheduling assistance for medical appointments, therapy sessions, and social outings; Documented and accounted for all financial transactions related to persons supported; Ensured that the wishes of each person supported were respected, and that their rights were honored without exception.
Direct Service Personnel
Neumann Family Services
Chicago, IL
09.2013 - 05.2018
- Integrated clients with disabilities and other life issues into the community to enrich their quality of life with choice and independence; Monitored vital signs and medication, under the direction of registered nurses or physiotherapists; Participated in case reviews, consulting with other teammates caring for the client, to evaluate the client's needs and plan for continuing services; Prepared and maintained records of client progress and services performed, reporting changes in client condition to manager or supervisor; Ensured a healthy, clean and safe living environment while assisting clients with daily activities.
Library Aide
Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL
08.2006 - 09.2012
- Provided extensive support to Academic staff and students in the areas of reference, research, and on the use of library resources both print and electronic; Provided comprehensive interpretation of the organization's policies and procedures in support of staff and public; Planned exhibits, displays and bulletin boards; Assisted librarian with reserves and holds; Processed, revised, or repaired library materials; Worked at the circulation desk; Conduct tours of the library and gave presentations about library services; Acted as the person in charge in the absence of librarians.
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Media, and Theatre -
Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL01.2012
Skills
- Communication skills
- Meeting emotional needs
- Meeting social needs
- Working with geriatric clients
- Working with clients with developmental disabilities
- Rehabilitation
- Group home settings
- Nursing home settings
- Treatment Planning
- Abuse and Neglect Investigation
- Caseload Management
- Client Advocacy
- Staff Education
- Progress Documentation
- Behavioral assessment
- Motivational Interviewing
- Patient-centered care
- Relationship Building
- Organizational Skills
- Adaptability
- Time Management
- Referral Coordination
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Reliability
Certification
National certificate in customer service from the National Retail Federation
Timeline
Social Services Worker
South Shore Rehabilitation
11.2020 - Current
Program Director
Envision Unlimited
04.2019 - 11.2020
House Lead
Envision Unlimited
06.2018 - 04.2019
Direct Service Personnel
Neumann Family Services
09.2013 - 05.2018
Library Aide
Northeastern Illinois University
08.2006 - 09.2012
Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Media, and Theatre -
Northeastern Illinois University