Karen Contreras-Olson
Tucson
Summary
Professional with strong background in care coordination. Skilled in patient advocacy, healthcare planning, and resource management. Known for effective team collaboration and achieving measurable results. Adaptable to changing needs with robust communication and organizational skills. Reliable and focused on delivering high-quality care outcomes.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Care Coordinator, Behavioral Health Technician
Terros Health
01.2022 - Current
- Managed patient caseloads effectively, ensuring timely follow-up and appropriate interventions individuals experiencing substance use.
- Developed strong relationships with community partners, facilitating referrals and collaboration on behalf of patients.
- Built strong relationships with clients to deliver emotional support and companionship.
- Maintained accurate and up-to-date documentation of patient records in accordance with HIPAA regulations.
- Assessed patient needs and connected them with appropriate resources to ensure optimal health outcomes.
- Monitored progress towards patient goals, adjusting care plans as needed to achieve desired results.
- Improved communication among healthcare providers, streamlining the coordination of services for patients.
- Provided emotional support for patients and families during difficult times, fostering resilience and coping skills.
- Monitored patient progress through regular check-ins, adjusting care plans to meet evolving needs.
- Collaborated with social services to connect patients with resources for housing, nutrition, and financial assistance, improving their overall wellbeing.
Child Safety Specialist
Department of Child Safety, State of Arizona
10.2020 - 04.2021
- Prepared case plan and Court reports
- Assisted families in developing and strengthening their parenting skills, contributing to a safer environment for children.
- Educated families on available resources and assisted them in accessing necessary supports to improve child wellbeing.
- Reduced safety risks to children by collaborating with families, schools, and community resources.
- Served as a liaison between families, service providers, courts, schools, law enforcement agencies, promoting collaborative efforts toward a common goal of child safety.
- Promoted a safe environment for children through regular home visits and welfare checks.
- Enhanced child safety by conducting thorough assessments and implementing appropriate interventions.
- Developed trusting relationships with children in challenging situations by demonstrating genuine care and concern for their wellbeing.
- Maintained confidentiality while ensuring open communication among team members about case updates and challenges.
- Provided crisis intervention support, addressing urgent safety concerns as they arose.
Dependency Investigator, Children's Social Worker III
Department of Children and Family Services, LA, CA
06.2009 - 10.2020
- Performed various court related activities and prepared a wide variety of documents/written reports.
- Case management activities which included however was not limited to the following: Developed a case plan with the family for court collaboration, educated the family as to the court process, face to face contact with the children, clients and family members, assessed medical, psychological and special needs of the children and maintained collaboration casework with treatment team.
- Conducted home visits to assess family dynamics, providing guidance on effective communication strategies and conflict resolution techniques.
- Interviewed clients, families, or groups to assess situations, limitations and issues and implement services to address needs.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure appropriate care coordination and resource allocation for clients.
- Maintained accurate case documentation, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and facilitating informed decision-making by team members.
Family Preservation Children's Social Worker
Department of Children and Family Services, LA, CA
09.2008 - 06.2009
- Case managed a caseload of children and families with the goal of increasing self-sufficiency with the families and reduced reliance upon public agency intervention.
- Collaborated with Family Preservation Agencies to ensure the families remain intact.
- Participated in Multidisciplinary Case Planning Committee (MCPC) with Family Preservation Agencies to develop a strength-based case plan for the families.
- Assisted in the integration of the resources of Child Protective Services and Public Social Services to ensure family maintenance.
- Ongoing collaboration with Family Preservation Agencies and other community service agencies.
- Ongoing contact with the Family Preservation workers, collaterals, clients and children. Conduct home visits to ensure child safety.
Adoption Children's Social Worker II
Department of Children and Family Services, LA, CA
07.2006 - 09.2008
- Completed adoption home studies for prospective adoptive parents.
- Participated in Adoption events for the purpose of matching children with prospective adoptive families.
- Participated in Pre-Placement Conferences and presented adoptable children to prospective adoptive families.
- Provided the Court with adoption information and as to the status of the adoption home studies in the Court Reports.
- Prepared and completed adoptive placements and prepared the cases for adoption finalization. Coordinated with Adoption Foster Family Agencies to complete adoptive placement and the adoption process. Conducted home visits and visited with the children and families to be of support during the adoption process.
Case Manager/Discharge Planner
Aurora Charter Oak Hospital, Covina, CA
05.2004 - 07.2006
- Worked in the adolescent psychiatric department.
- Linked patients with ongoing outpatient mental health services upon discharge.
- Coordinated meetings with the patients and families in order to discuss treatment and progress.
- Contact with family members, collaterals, nurses, therapists and psychiatrists.
- Coordinated meetings with Child Protective Services and Behavioral Health to discuss the patients discharge plan and ensure the patient is linked to the appropriate services.
Case Manager
Enki Mental Health Clinic, La Puente, CA
09.2001 - 05.2004
- Primarily worked with transient individuals experiencing mental health challenges
- Assisted in connecting homeless population with mental health services with the goal of stabilization.
- Development of a treatment plan which was appropriate to the needs and desires of the clients.
- Assisted clients with housing, transportation and funding and other community services.
- Ongoing coordination with therapists and psychiatrists.
- Provided ongoing support and monitored the client's compliance with mental health services.
- Assisted clients in setting achievable goals while providing ongoing encouragement and support throughout the process of reaching those objectives.
- Coordinated essential services for clients, resulting in improved overall well-being and self-sufficiency.
- Strengthened relationships with community organizations to increase access to supportive resources for clients in need.
Education
Master’s in Social Work - Social Work
California State University
Los Angeles, CA06.2006
Bachelor of Arts - Social Work
California State University
Los Angeles, CA06.2001
Skills
- Case management
- Progress monitoring
- Resource allocation
- HIPAA compliance
- Data entry
- Treatment Planning
- Patient education
- Organizational skills
- Patient advocacy
- Documentation proficiency
- Multidisciplinary team collaboration
Currently in process of obtaining Licensed Master Social Worker
Licensed Master Social Work (LMSW)
Timeline
Care Coordinator, Behavioral Health Technician
Terros Health
01.2022 - Current
Child Safety Specialist
Department of Child Safety, State of Arizona
10.2020 - 04.2021
Dependency Investigator, Children's Social Worker III
Department of Children and Family Services, LA, CA
06.2009 - 10.2020
Family Preservation Children's Social Worker
Department of Children and Family Services, LA, CA
09.2008 - 06.2009
Adoption Children's Social Worker II
Department of Children and Family Services, LA, CA
07.2006 - 09.2008
Case Manager/Discharge Planner
Aurora Charter Oak Hospital, Covina, CA
05.2004 - 07.2006
Case Manager
Enki Mental Health Clinic, La Puente, CA
09.2001 - 05.2004
Bachelor of Arts - Social Work
California State University
Master’s in Social Work - Social Work
California State University