Keri Driggers
Mount Pleasant,SC
Summary
Dynamic mental health professional with extensive experience at Universal Health Services, Inc. Proven expertise in mental health evaluation and referral management, complemented by strong public speaking skills. Recognized for enhancing patient care through effective utilization reviews and comprehensive treatment planning, consistently achieving high standards in service excellence.
Overview
1
1
Certification
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Intake Clinician
Universal Health Services, Inc.
Charleston, SC
07.2008 - Current
- Proficient in evaluating mental health and substance abuse patients that are referred from both the community and emergency rooms throughout the state.
- Triaging patients includes both phone screenings as well as in person assessments to ascertain medical necessity.
- Conducted utilization reviews with insurance companies to secure higher level of care authorization for acute inpatient, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient treatment.
- Determination of level of care requires substantial knowledge of medical conditions, comorbidity, and the DSM.
- Ability to understand and communicate admitting diagnosis, course of treatment, psychopharmacology, and abnormalities in lab values to the medical team as well as insurance providers.
- Facilitated patient admissions efficiently processes, ensuring accurate documentation and compliance.
- Verified and audited all admissions for accuracy in patient demographics and insurance eligibility, rectifying encountered errors to ensure compliance.
- Assisted Medical Director in assigning attending physicians to newly admitted patients, completing and delivering patient census with clinical and financial information, and maintaining physician call calendar for daily and weekend coverage.
- Completed regulatory training of HIPAA, biannual crisis prevention through CPI, annual CPR training, and 40 hours of continuing education during each two-year period to maintain Independent Social Work license in South Carolina.
- Provided cross coverage to our outpatient programs to conduct both group process and psychoeducational therapy.
- UHS Trained Suicide Prevention Facilitator; providing training to new and existing employees.
Outpatient Therapist
Compass Carolina
Charleston, SC
03.2009 - 02.2020
- Assess and diagnose psychiatric disorders, formulate a comprehensive treatment plan, and provide appropriate referrals for patients.
- Delivered outpatient therapy to children, adolescents, families, and adults, addressing diverse mental health needs.
- Treatment includes EAP services, brief therapy, and long-term treatment of psychiatric disorders. Modalities of treatment include cognitive behavioral therapy, behavior modification, and family systems therapy.
- Managed patient records using Carecloud EMR to ensure accurate documentation and streamlined access to client information.
Outpatient Therapist
Palmetto Behavioral Health Solutions Charleston
Charleston, SC
07.2007 - 07.2008
- Delivered outpatient therapy to children, adolescents, families, and adults, addressing diverse mental health needs.
- Assessed and diagnosed disorders, developed comprehensive treatment plans, and coordinated referrals to ensure appropriate care for patients.
- Provided individual therapy sessions for diverse client populations.
- Developed treatment plans based on client assessments and goals.
- Facilitated group therapy sessions to promote peer support and healing.
Director of Staff Development
Palmetto Lowcountry Behavioral Health
Charleston, SC
11.2005 - 07.2007
- Developed educational and training opportunities for clinical staff; maintained education records and credentials for 300 staff members to ensure compliance and readiness.
- Managed bi-monthly clinical orientation for new hires and facilitated preceptorship program to support smooth transition into hospital roles.
- Successfully completed JCAHO survey in 2007 and created competencies for nursing and social service departments to enhance staff performance standards.
Director of Social Services
Palmetto Lowcountry Behavioral Health
Charleston, SC
01.2004 - 11.2005
- Conducted regular documentation audits to ensure compliance with regulatory agency standards.
- Coordinated staff education for clinical personnel through bi-monthly orientations, in-services, and preceptorship programs.
- Facilitated department head meetings and monthly social work staff meetings, addressing clinical issues during the treatment process.
- Presented expert insights on ADHD as a guest speaker at Channel 2 news programs. many times on Channel 2 news programs 'Medical Update Report' as well a member of their expert panel on ADHD.
Adolescent Clinical Therapist
Palmetto Lowcountry Behavioral Health
Charleston, SC
11.2000 - 01.2005
- Delivered group, individual, and family therapy to acute children and adolescents during crisis stabilization, fostering emotional resilience and coping skills.
- Developed personalized treatment plans based on client assessments and needs, coordinating discharge planning with community resources, including PRTF placement, to ensure continuity of care.
- Conducted individual and group therapy sessions for diverse client populations.
- Guided clients and families in understanding mental health resources and effective coping strategies, enhancing their overall well-being.
- Performed evaluations as designated examiner for involuntary patients in a clinical setting.
Education
Masters - Social Work
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC05-1999
Skills
- Mental health evaluation
- Suicide risk assessment
- Crisis intervention
- Referral management
- Utilization review
- Documentation proficiency
- Clinical presentation
- HCS EMR utilization
- Epic EMR knowledge
- Proficient in MS4
Certification
- LISW-CP, SC #6488, Licensed Independent Social Worker SC
Issued 1/17/2000 - CPR Certified
- CPI Certified
Timeline
Outpatient Therapist
Compass Carolina
03.2009 - 02.2020
Intake Clinician
Universal Health Services, Inc.
07.2008 - Current
Outpatient Therapist
Palmetto Behavioral Health Solutions Charleston
07.2007 - 07.2008
Director of Staff Development
Palmetto Lowcountry Behavioral Health
11.2005 - 07.2007
Director of Social Services
Palmetto Lowcountry Behavioral Health
01.2004 - 11.2005
Adolescent Clinical Therapist
Palmetto Lowcountry Behavioral Health
11.2000 - 01.2005
Masters - Social Work
University of South Carolina