Lauren Pointer, LISW-CP
West Columbia,SC
Summary
Dedicated Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a robust 12-year background in serving diverse populations. Committed to applying evidence-based practices to foster sustainable change in mental health. Proficient in establishing services, collaborating with healthcare professionals, and providing continuous patient support. Recognized for strong communication skills and effective problem-solving abilities, aimed at promoting organizational success.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Medical Social Worker
MSA Hospice
04.2025 - Current
- Complete initial psychosocial and recertification assessments for each patient
- Assist patients with coping and navigating through terminal illnesses
- Create individualized treatment plans and participate in interdisciplinary team meetings
- Educate patients and families on the hospice care philosophy
- Educate patients and families about treatment plans, available resources, and support systems
- Educate patients and families about advanced care planning and assist with establishing advanced directives as needed
Founder-Clinical Social Worker/Psychotherapist
Dare to Evolve Counseling & Consulting, LLC
04.2021 - Current
- Oversee daily operations
- Provide psychosocial assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for various mental health issues
- Provide Psychotherapy to individuals, couples, and families
- Provide tele-mental health and in-person psychotherapy services to individuals, couples, and families
- Provide consultation services to Social Work professionals and organizations
- Provide independent contract services
Medical Social Worker
PruittHealth Hospice & Palliative Care-Columbia
04.2024 - 02.2025
- Complete psychosocial assessments on each new admission
- Assess and assist with psychosocial needs of patients and families
- Provide psychosocial support services to both facility patients and home-based patients
- Work directly with clinical and non-clinical multidisciplinary team members
- Provide Grief and Bereavement support to families
- Participate in bi-weekly interdisciplinary team meetings
- Assist patients and families in navigating aspects of End of life
- Establish and maintain community partnerships
Social Worker
Orangeburg Senior Helping Center-A PACE Healthcare Program
01.2023 - 12.2023
- Complete initial psychosocial assessments on each participant
- Complete routine psychosocial re-assessments at each allotted interval.
- Connect participants and families to internal and external resources
- Assist with admission/enrollment paperwork as needed
- Establish and carry out care plan treatment goals and interventions
- Manage up to 50+ incoming/outgoing calls per day
Clinical Social Worker/Independent contractor
Life Source of North Carolina
11.2021 - 12.2022
- Assess, diagnose and treat mental health issues of each patient referral
- Assess non-clinical psychosocial needs of patients
- Coordinate care with interdisciplinary team members at each assigned facility
- Provide individual psychotherapy
- Provide tele-mental health services to patients with various mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorders.
- Submit timely progress notes via Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system
Health Services Navigator
South Carolina House Calls
West Columbia, USA
09.2020 - 03.2021
- Educate patient / patient representative about SC House Calls and the goal to prevent hospital readmission
- Educate on coordination of care with the patient’s primary care provider, home health provider, and hospice provider
- Explain the billing process to the patient, and the patient representative
- Request, obtain and upload necessary records to Electronic Medical Records (EMR)
- Assist with coordinating community resources as needed
- Provide patient/patient representative with the visit schedule
- Maintain working relationships with referral source
Home Health-Medical Social Worker
The Regional Medical Center
Orangeburg, USA
11.2018 - 09.2020
- Complete and document psychosocial assessments on each patient admitted and executed an appropriate action plan.
- Make appropriate referrals to community resources.
- Participate in bi-weekly interdisciplinary team meetings
- Provide crisis intervention as needed
- Communicate with all members of the care team to maintain constant awareness of patient conditions and any identified changes
- Document actions per Home Care policy and procedures accurately, entirely, and within designated time frames
- Work independently, make judgments based on assessments and data available, and act accordingly
- Establish and maintain partnerships with community resource providers
Clinical Social Worker
Homestead Hospice & Palliative Care
Columbia, USA
06.2019 - 05.2020
- Complete psychosocial assessments
- Assist patients with life-limiting, terminal, and chronic illness
- Create individualized treatment plans and participate in interdisciplinary team meetings
- Educate patients and families about palliative care and hospice care philosophies
- Educate patients and families about treatment plans, available resources, and support systems
- Educate patients and families about advanced care planning and assist with establishing directives as needed
- Provide psychotherapy/counseling services to patients and families
Clinical Social Worker
Genesis Healthcare, Inc.
Darlington, USA
06.2018 - 10.2018
- Complete diagnostic assessment for chronic pain patients prescribed narcotic medications
- Provide substance use education, prevention, and awareness services to patients
- Manage patients exhibiting urgent or emergent medical, behavioral, or substance abuse crisis
- Develop individual and comprehensive treatment plans
- Provide recommendations for reduced and non-pharmacological treatment to the Physician as appropriate based on assessment
- Refer patients for non-pharmacological treatment/intervention(s) when appropriate
- Coordinate patient care with medical providers, nursing staff, and Pharmacist(s)
- Facilitate and Participate in weekly interdisciplinary Narcotic Committee review meeting
Medical Social Worker
Palladium Hospice & Palliative Care, LLC.
Columbia, USA
04.2016 - 06.2018
- Assess and assist with psychosocial needs of patients and families
- Provide psychosocial support services to both facility patients and home-based patients
- Work directly with clinical and non-clinical multidisciplinary team members
- Provide Grief and Bereavement support
- Participate in bi-weekly interdisciplinary team meetings
- Establish and maintain partnerships with community resource providers
- Assist patients and families in navigating aspects of End of life
- Establish an appropriate plan of care based on the holistic needs of patients to ensure a quality approach to patient care
- Maintain detailed and timely documentation in the electronic medical record system
Mentor/Tutor
University of South Carolina
Columbia, USA
08.2013 - 12.2016
- Guided students in academic and career planning decisions.
- Developed and implemented mentorship programs for diverse student groups.
- Facilitated workshops on leadership and personal development skills.
Healthy Steps Specialist-Grant program
Eau Claire Cooperative Health Centers, Inc.
Columbia, USA
06.2014 - 03.2016
- Identify, Recruit and enroll participants
- Create data collection tools to be submitted to the funding source
- Provide training, support, and supervision for pediatric/clinical staff
- Conduct home visits at benchmark intervals
- Meet with parents and patients at each pediatric well-child visit
- Conduct developmental, safety, and postpartum depression screenings
- Identify quality community resources, assist with referrals and follow-up
- Facilitate educational sessions and in-service training for community partners
- Organize and facilitate parent group sessions
Outreach/Enrollment Specialist- Grant program
Eau Claire Cooperative Health Centers, Inc.
Columbia, USA
01.2014 - 06.2014
- Educate individuals, families, organizations, and communities about the Affordable Care Act
- Provide information sessions to individuals in need of information regarding the Affordable Care Act
- Assist clients with enrollment into a suitable health insurance plan
- Link clients to internal and external health care resources
- Facilitate and participate in community events to provide education and assist with enrollment as needed
- Complete follow up calls to ensure successful linkage to insurance plan
Education
Master of Social Work -
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC05.2014
Bachelor of Science - Social Work
Winston-Salem State University
Winston-Salem, NC05.2012
Skills
- Interpersonal communication
- Psychosocial assessment
- EMR documentation
- End-of-life care
- Treatment planning
- Evidence-based interventions
- Resource management
- Care coordination
- Intervention planning
- Team collaboration
- Data analysis
- Community engagement
- Discharge planning
- Hospice support
Additional Career Experience
- Windsor Elementary, Columbia, SC, Internship, 06/13, 05/14
- University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, Mentor/Tutor, 08/13, 12/16
- Charles Hines and Son, Winston-Salem, NC, Paraprofessional/ Direct Care Staff, 09/12, 08/13
- Goodwill Industries- eLink Youth Program, Winston-Salem, NC, Youth Mentor Retention Specialist, 06/12, 01/13
- Atkins Academic and Technology High School, Winston-Salem, NC, Graduation Coach- Communities in Schools- paid internship, 08/11, 05/12
Timeline
Medical Social Worker
MSA Hospice
04.2025 - Current
Medical Social Worker
PruittHealth Hospice & Palliative Care-Columbia
04.2024 - 02.2025
Social Worker
Orangeburg Senior Helping Center-A PACE Healthcare Program
01.2023 - 12.2023
Clinical Social Worker/Independent contractor
Life Source of North Carolina
11.2021 - 12.2022
Founder-Clinical Social Worker/Psychotherapist
Dare to Evolve Counseling & Consulting, LLC
04.2021 - Current
Health Services Navigator
South Carolina House Calls
09.2020 - 03.2021
Clinical Social Worker
Homestead Hospice & Palliative Care
06.2019 - 05.2020
Home Health-Medical Social Worker
The Regional Medical Center
11.2018 - 09.2020
Clinical Social Worker
Genesis Healthcare, Inc.
06.2018 - 10.2018
Medical Social Worker
Palladium Hospice & Palliative Care, LLC.
04.2016 - 06.2018
Healthy Steps Specialist-Grant program
Eau Claire Cooperative Health Centers, Inc.
06.2014 - 03.2016
Outreach/Enrollment Specialist- Grant program
Eau Claire Cooperative Health Centers, Inc.
01.2014 - 06.2014
Mentor/Tutor
University of South Carolina
08.2013 - 12.2016
Master of Social Work -
University of South Carolina
Bachelor of Science - Social Work
Winston-Salem State University