Kimberly Zara
Amsterdam,New York
Summary
Dedicated professional with strong background in providing evidence-based counseling services to individuals, couples and families. Skilled in developing treatment plans, conducting assessments and documenting progress. Committed to advocating for mental health and well-being of clients.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
VIRTUAL COUNSELOR
Comprehensive Counseling
01.2022 - Current
- Assisted clients in setting realistic goals, developing action plans, and monitoring progress towards achievement.
- Maintained accurate documentation of client interactions, assessments, and progress notes for effective case management.
- Implemented behavioral modification strategies to help clients develop healthier coping mechanisms.
- Utilized motivational interviewing techniques to encourage positive change in clients'' lives.
- Used cognitive behavior therapy to assist clients in recognizing and redirecting poor habits.
- Conducted thorough assessments to identify client needs and appropriate intervention strategies.
- Developed individualized counseling plans for clients to incorporate short-term and long-term goals.
MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKER
Fresenius Kidney Care
12.2014 - Current
- Completed psychosocial evaluations and needs assessments.
- Maintained detailed documentation of client progress, adhering to strict confidentiality guidelines in compliance with HIPAA regulations.
- Improved patient outcomes by conducting comprehensive psychosocial assessments and developing individualized care plans.
- Provided emotional support to patients and families during critical health situations, promoting coping mechanisms and resilience.
- Worked with medical teams, patients and families to implement effective treatment plans.
- Educated patients on available treatment options and assisted in informed decision-making regarding their healthcare plan.
- Formulated treatment plan strategies with multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive and continuous care plan.
- Enhanced organizational performance by participating in quality improvement projects, analyzing data to identify areas for potential growth and implementing action plans.
- Developed individual treatment plans and provided counseling to patients.
- Assessed risk factors of patients and made referrals for further services.
- Managed caseload to satisfy multiple patients with diverse needs.
- Facilitated family meetings to discuss patient care plans.
- Participated in interdisciplinary care conferences to discuss patient care plans and referrals.
- Assisted patients in accessing housing, financial assistance and other community resources.
- Provided patient and family education on available resources and self-care strategies.
- Maintained detailed records of patient progress, documentation of services and case notes.
- Connected patients with community resources, ensuring access to essential services such as housing, healthcare, and financial assistance.
MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKER
Albany Medical Center
05.2013 - 12.2014
- Completed psychosocial evaluations and needs assessments.
- Maintained detailed documentation of client progress, adhering to strict confidentiality guidelines in compliance with HIPAA regulations.
- Enhanced interdisciplinary team collaboration for optimal patient care through regular case conferences and communication.
- Improved patient outcomes by conducting comprehensive psychosocial assessments and developing individualized care plans.
- Provided emotional support to patients and families during critical health situations, promoting coping mechanisms and resilience.
- Worked with medical teams, patients and families to implement effective treatment plans.
- Collaborated with medical professionals to advocate for the unique psychosocial needs of each patient within a holistic care approach.
- Formulated treatment plan strategies with multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive and continuous care plan.
- Assessed risk factors of patients and made referrals for further services.
- Managed caseload to satisfy multiple patients with diverse needs.
- Participated in interdisciplinary care conferences to discuss patient care plans and referrals.
- Assisted patients in accessing housing, financial assistance and other community resources.
- Provided patient and family education on available resources and self-care strategies.
- Collaborated with healthcare providers to drive continuity of care.
- Maintained detailed records of patient progress, documentation of services and case notes.
- Provided ongoing counseling to help patients deal with conditions and processes
SUPPORT SERVICES DIRECTOR, MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKER, VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
Mountain Valley Hospice
01.2008 - 05.2012
- Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
- Worked closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to guide operational strategy.
- Established a culture of continuous improvement by fostering open communication channels and empowering employees to voice their ideas.
- Cultivated a positive work environment that fostered employee engagement, increased retention rates, and boosted overall team morale.
- Strengthened internal controls by reviewing existing policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Monitored office workflow and administrative processes to keep operations running smoothly.
- Established departmental performance goals and provided feedback for underperforming areas.
- Managed daily operations while overseeing multiple locations to foster increased productivity.
- Boosted client satisfaction rates through exceptional relationship management and prompt resolution of issues.
- Championed corporate social responsibility initiatives that enhanced the company''s reputation in the community and industry at large.
- Drafted and distributed reports to assist board members with critical business decisions.
- Trained and guided team members to maintain high productivity and performance metrics.
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
- Recruited, hired, and trained initial personnel, working to establish key internal functions and outline scope of positions for new organization.
- Completed psychosocial evaluations and needs assessments.
- Developed cultural competence through ongoing professional development opportunities, providing culturally sensitive services to diverse patient populations.
- Maintained detailed documentation of client progress, adhering to strict confidentiality guidelines in compliance with HIPAA regulations.
- Enhanced interdisciplinary team collaboration for optimal patient care through regular case conferences and communication.
- Provided emotional support to patients and families during critical health situations, promoting coping mechanisms and resilience.
- Supported ethical decision-making processes among healthcare teams by providing guidance on complex cases involving end-of-life care or medical ethics dilemmas.
- Increased patient satisfaction ratings through consistent delivery of empathetic, comprehensive social work services tailored to individual needs.
- Worked with medical teams, patients and families to implement effective treatment plans.
- Facilitated family meetings to discuss patient care plans.
- Participated in interdisciplinary care conferences to discuss patient care plans and referrals.
- Recruited and trained new volunteers on volunteer program goals and objectives.
- Coordinated and implemented special events for volunteer service appreciation.
- Provided ongoing support to volunteers throughout their tenure, addressing any concerns or issues promptly to ensure satisfaction and commitment to the organization''s goals.
- Organized recognition events to show appreciation for volunteer contributions, boosting morale and promoting a positive organizational culture.
- Maintained regular communication with volunteers through newsletters, social media updates, and personal check-ins, keeping them engaged and informed about upcoming opportunities.
- Managed and tracked volunteer hours and progress to support accurate documentation.
- Participated in community outreach events to promote volunteer opportunities and enlist new volunteers.
- Developed comprehensive training materials to ensure volunteers were well-prepared for their roles.
- Scheduled and organized training sessions for volunteers to develop skills and knowledge.
- Served as a liaison between volunteers and senior leadership, ensuring open lines of communication and promoting a transparent environment where concerns could be addressed promptly.
- Evaluated volunteer performance to provide constructive feedback and identify areas for improvement or additional training needs.
- Managed volunteer calendar and verified coverage of key roles during volunteer unavailability.
- Monitored volunteer performance to enforce compliance with established policies and regulations.
- Facilitated regular meetings with volunteers to provide feedback and discuss improvement opportunities.
- Enhanced volunteer engagement by implementing effective recruitment strategies and organizing orientation sessions.
- Improved volunteer satisfaction by regularly soliciting feedback and implementing suggested changes in a timely manner.
- Streamlined the volunteer onboarding process for improved efficiency and increased retention rates.
SEXUAL ASSAULT SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAM THERAPIST
Planned Parenthood Mohawk Hudson
11.2002 - 06.2009
- Managed caseload effectively, maintaining timely and accurate documentation for all clients throughout the course of treatment.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary team members to develop comprehensive treatment plans tailored to each client''s unique needs.
- Engaged in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on industry trends and best practices within the field of mental health therapy.
- Conducted thorough assessments for new clients, identifying appropriate level of care and developing individualized treatment plans accordingly.
- Provided crisis intervention services as needed, ensuring safety and stabilization for clients experiencing acute distress.
- Contributed to program development and enhancement by consistently providing feedback on areas of strength and opportunities for improvement based on clinical observations.
- Implemented cognitive-behavioral techniques to address maladaptive thought patterns contributing to emotional distress or functional impairment in daily life activities.
- Utilized trauma-informed care principles when working with individuals who had experienced significant adverse life events impacting mental health well-being overall.
- Maintained client confidentiality to protect patient privacy.
- Utilized evidence-based techniques to deliver successful treatment.
- Performed assessments to evaluate clients' mental health status, needs and goals.
- Documented client progress to track effectiveness and inform future treatment plans.
- Supported clients in developing coping skills to help patients manage life challenges and difficulties.
- Attended continued education sessions to maintain professional standards and stay up-to-date with new developments.
- Provided crisis intervention to support clients during times of urgent need.
- Developed treatment plans to outline steps necessary for clients to achieve goals.
- Worked with interdisciplinary treatment team to develop treatment plans.
- Addressed cultural and diversity issues to provide clients with culturally responsive care.
- Educated clients and families on mental health issues to promote understanding and support.
- Introduced meditation, guided imagery, breathing techniques, and reiki to patients and families.
- Conducted follow-up assessments to monitor clients' progress and adjust treatment plans as necessary.
SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER
Mayfield Central School District
09.2000 - 06.2002
- Collaborated with teachers and administrators to develop intervention strategies for students in need of additional support.
- Created a safe space for students experiencing crises by providing immediate support and appropriate referrals.
- Implemented evidence-based programs aimed at improving school climate and promoting positive behavior among students.
- Maintained compliance with standards relating to child protection, client confidentiality, risk assessment and reporting.
- Observed student behavior and developed behavioral interventions.
- Participated in IEP, RTI and other related meetings that determined and implemented school-wide policies.
- Provided crisis intervention services and collaborated with school staff to create safety plans for students at risk of self-harm or violence.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments of students'' social-emotional functioning to inform interventions and service planning.
- Collaborated with students, teachers, administrators, parents and outside agencies.
- Assisted parents in navigating the special education process, ensuring proper identification and provision of services for their children.
- Helped clients develop new coping mechanisms and techniques to drive behavior modification.
Education
Master of Social Work -
Rockefeller College, School of Social Welfare
Albany, NY05.1999
BA Communication Arts -
Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY05.1984
Skills
- Counseling
- HIPAA
- Client Advocacy
- Behavior monitoring
- Treatment Planning
- Crisis Intervention
- Motivational Interviewing
- Needs Assessment
- Care Planning
- Client Counseling
- Grief counseling
- Team Collaboration
- Positive patient experiences
- Documentation And Reporting
- Case Management
Affiliations
- National Association of Social Workers
- Retired Police Association
- Retired Public Employee Association
References
Upon Request
Timeline
VIRTUAL COUNSELOR
Comprehensive Counseling
01.2022 - Current
MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKER
Fresenius Kidney Care
12.2014 - Current
MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKER
Albany Medical Center
05.2013 - 12.2014
SUPPORT SERVICES DIRECTOR, MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKER, VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
Mountain Valley Hospice
01.2008 - 05.2012
SEXUAL ASSAULT SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAM THERAPIST
Planned Parenthood Mohawk Hudson
11.2002 - 06.2009
SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER
Mayfield Central School District
09.2000 - 06.2002
Master of Social Work -
Rockefeller College, School of Social Welfare
BA Communication Arts -
Hofstra University
Similar Profiles
Brian MitchellBrian Mitchell
Therapist at Children First Comprehensive CounselingTherapist at Children First Comprehensive Counseling
Alexis JeterAlexis Jeter
Intake Coordinator at Comprehensive Counseling Solutions of VirginiaIntake Coordinator at Comprehensive Counseling Solutions of Virginia
Tiara Lighty-LynchTiara Lighty-Lynch
Office Manager/Marketing Director at Comprehensive Counseling Solutions Of VirginiaOffice Manager/Marketing Director at Comprehensive Counseling Solutions Of Virginia