Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Kristina Gunnarson

Carlsbad,CA

Summary

Dynamic Senior Life Planning and Retirement Specialist with a proven track record of empowering clients and their families through empathetic listening and strategic goal-setting. Expertise in fostering effective communication to address medical and emotional needs, ensuring comprehensive support throughout the planning process. Committed to envisioning and implementing innovative care strategies that enhance service delivery and significantly improve client satisfaction. Passionate about creating tailored solutions that promote well-being and peace of mind for clients navigating life's transitions.

Overview

19
19
years of professional experience

Work History

Licensed Insurance Broker

Amerilife
10.2024 - Current
  • Presented Medicare, life insurance, long term care, and annuity products to clients.
  • Educated clients on available insurance products and services, helping them make informed decisions about their coverage options.
  • Maintained up-to-date knowledge of industry trends and regulatory changes, allowing for accurate, timely advice to clients.
  • Increased client satisfaction by providing personalized insurance advice and policy recommendations.

Senior Specialist

Vital Decisions/Evolent
08.2016 - 05.2024
    • Contacted and introduced potential clients to the Living Well Program, a 3 to 5 session program, aimed at helping individuals always have a voice in their medical care.
    • Led the creation of personalized advanced care plans for clients with severe illnesses including heart and lung disease, cancer, dementia, and diabetes.
    • Employed motivational interviewing techniques to partner with clients in order to help them achieve their care plan goals
    • Facilitated communication of medical wishes between clients, families, and healthcare providers.
    • Created personalized advanced directives for clients to share with healthcare providers.
    • Conducted over 85 client sessions monthly, averaged 35 telephone outreach attempts daily.
    • Participated actively in bi-monthly supervisions and continuous clinical trainings.
    • Supervised new staff members, provided training and coaching to help achieve confidence in their role and add to the culture of the organization.
    • Created a support group for colleagues to address the unique challenges we encountered
    • Conducted safety assessments for clients displaying suicidal ideation resulting in the use of my call as an annual training for safety assessments.
    • Worked cross functionally and coordinated with multiple teams to accomplish business goals
    • Utilized data and quality metrics to improve service delivery.
    • Contributed to establishing best practices to achieve cohesive implementation of tools and practices.
    • Developed and implemented pilot projects to test new lines of business.
    • Helped meet changing demands by recommending improvements to business systems or procedures.

Social Work Counselor

San Diego Regional Center
11.2006 - 08.2013
  • Provided management, service coordination, and counseling to SDRC clients and their families
  • Maintained an ongoing caseload of approximately 80 clients
  • Interviewed clients individually and with families to determine what services would best address their needs
  • Advised patients on community resources, made referrals and devised realistic treatment plans
  • Developed and wrote individual program plans and annual review reports
  • Completed purchase of services to meet individual goals
  • Monitored client services including in home ABA programs, respite, nutrition, school programs, and medical therapies for quality assurance
  • Consulted with other professionals regarding the treatment of specific clients
  • Scheduled and facilitated planning team meetings on a regular basis
  • Analyzed client needs to optimize service plans, ensuring tailored support and goal achievement.
  • Provided empathetic counseling, enhancing client familial relationships and community integration.

Education

Master of Arts - Counseling Psychology

National University
Carlsbad, CA
01.2011

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology

California State University, San Marcos
San Marcos, CA
01.2001

Skills

  • Active and empathetic listener
  • Effective communicator
  • Committed to assisting others
  • Spiritually and Culturally Sensitive
  • Knowledgeable in patient care during disease progression
  • Skilled in motivational interviewing techniques
  • Rapid skill acquisition
  • Experienced in Microsoft Office Suite applications

Timeline

Licensed Insurance Broker

Amerilife
10.2024 - Current

Senior Specialist

Vital Decisions/Evolent
08.2016 - 05.2024

Social Work Counselor

San Diego Regional Center
11.2006 - 08.2013

Master of Arts - Counseling Psychology

National University

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology

California State University, San Marcos

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