Kenda Bjerkness
Golden Valley,AZ
Summary
Proven Social Worker with extensive experience at Washington State Dept Social & Health Services, adept in case management and client advocacy. Excelled in multidisciplinary team collaboration and compassionate client support, significantly enhancing client well-being and family reunification. Skilled in risk assessment and motivational interviewing, contributing to improved service planning and client outcomes.
Detail-oriented team player with strong organizational skills. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Social Worker
Washington State Dept Social & Health Services
2000.01 - 2015.11
- Updated client documentation for accurate, compliant and current records.
- 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.
- Educated families on available community resources, connecting them with essential services such as housing assistance, financial aid, or healthcare providers.
- Supported clients and families with empathy and compassion during difficult times.
- Maintained accurate case documentation, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and facilitating informed decision-making by team members.
- Advocated for clients to assure respected rights and wishes. new
- De-escalated stressful situations through individual and family crisis interventions.
- Improved client well-being by conducting comprehensive assessments and developing tailored intervention plans.
- Maintained regular contact with clients by calling and visiting clients' homes.
- Conducted home visits to assess living environment and facilitate access to necessary resources.
- Monitored clients' progress and adapted treatment plans to meet changing needs.
- Helped clients develop new coping mechanisms and techniques to drive behavior modification.
- Conducted home visits to assess family dynamics, providing guidance on effective communication strategies and conflict resolution techniques.
- Increased client engagement in treatment plans by building trusting relationships through empathetic listening and consistent support.
- Facilitated successful client transitions from residential facilities to independent living situations with appropriate supports in place.
- Coordinated external healthcare professionals to uphold high-quality, person-centred care.
- Assisted clients in navigating the legal system, attending court hearings as needed and providing support throughout the process.
- Supervised interns or junior staff members, providing direction on best practices in social work and contributing to their professional growth as practitioners.
- Evaluated program effectiveness using data-driven approaches, identifying areas of improvement and implementing changes accordingly.
- Promoted family reunification and stability, conducting assessments and providing tailored family support services.
- Enhanced protective measures for children and vulnerable adults with thorough investigations and interventions.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive support for clients.
- Collaborated with healthcare professionals to create integrated care plans, improving overall client health outcomes.
Director of Hospice Volunteers
Community Home Well Nursing Care
1992.04 - 1995.03
- Expanded community partnerships, enhancing hospice awareness and availability of services.
- Established clear communication channels between clinical teams, administrators, and families for seamless coordination of care.
- Coordinated total plans of care and maintained continuity of patient care by liaising with appropriate staff and physician.
- Used agency resources and nationally recognized standards of practice to achieve excellent pain and symptom management.
- Streamlined operations for increased efficiency in the delivery of end-of-life care services.
- Collaborated with external agencies to provide comprehensive support services tailored to each patient''s unique needs.
- Promoted interdisciplinary collaboration, optimizing individualized patient care plans.
- Increased family satisfaction with bereavement support services by tailoring offerings based on feedback surveys.
- Championed a culture of continuous improvement, fostering an atmosphere of learning and growth within the organization.
- Worked in cooperation with family and caregiver to meet emotional and physical needs.
- Spearheaded fundraising campaigns, securing vital funds for hospice programs and services.
- Assessed and reassessed physical, environmental and emotional factors and determined hospice needs for patients in home setting.
- Liaised with other healthcare professionals to develop comprehensive patient care plans and provide highest quality of care.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Human Services
Western Washington University
Bellingham, WASkills
- Compassionate
- Case Management
- Client Advocacy
- Conflict Resolution
- Efficient under pressure
- Attention to Detail
- Multidisciplinary team collaboration
- Cooperative
- Social Services
- Risk Assessment
- Case Documentation
- Motivational Interviewing
- Client Confidentiality
- CPR, First Aid, AED
- Assessment skills
- Client Needs Assessment
- Cultural Competency
- Child Welfare Expertise
- Family Case Management
- Referrals and networking
- Multicultural Competence
- Community Referrals
- Service planning
- Domestic Violence Training
- Boundary Setting
- Court Hearings
- Emergency response training
- Independent Judgment
- Discharge Planning
- Shelter arrangements
- Trained adoption counselor
- Family reunification specialist
- Licensed Social Worker (LSW)o
Timeline
Social Worker
Washington State Dept Social & Health Services
2000.01 - 2015.11
Director of Hospice Volunteers
Community Home Well Nursing Care
1992.04 - 1995.03
Bachelor of Arts - Human Services
Western Washington University
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