MATTHEW L. COLONNA III
Uxbridge,MA
Summary
Experienced Independently licensed social worker in various health care settings with strong skills in utilization review, analytic thinking and risk management. I value being a part of a multidisciplinary diverse team dedicated to helping others.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Adult Clinical Service Authorization Specialist
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Mental Health, Central MA Area
Worcester, MA
08.2015 - Current
- Conduct clinical authorization reviews for applicants ages 17 and up from varying racial, socio/economic, and geographic areas. Includes as needed interviews with applicants and collateral providers, extensive medical record review to determine chronicity and reliability of clinical diagnosis.
- Maintain a sound understanding of DMH regulations, interpreting available data to determine clinical eligibility for services.
- Participate in regular case conferences with the Area Medical Director regarding cases with diagnostic complexity and/or risk management concerns. Collaborate with DMH Site Office staff to ensure timely and accurate hand-off of cases.
- Exceptional documentation/writing skills uniting information reviewed to create a detailed clinical summary/risk assessment to guide service delivery.
- Provide oversight/supervision to two Clinical C Service Authorization Specialists (LICSW’s) in the adult service authorization division.
- Serve as clinical supervisor for internal staff throughout the agency completing required hours towards professional social work licensure.
- Facilitated requested in-service trainings to outside agencies, hospitals, and constituents about the DHM application and service authorization process.
- Additional as needed duties have included coverage of DMH clinical appeals process, participation in the statewide service authorization task groups and other initiatives.
Assistant Program Director, Psychiatric Emergency Services
Riverside Community Care (Riverside), Milford, MA
Milford, MA
10.2010 - 08.2015
- Oversaw the psychiatric consult liaison service for contracted hospital (Milford Regional Medical Center), which provided a variety of psychiatric consult encounters (i.e., diagnostic, risk, competency and addiction) on patients treated on inpatient medical units and in the emergency department. The team included three clinicians and part-time psychiatry coverage from M.D.
- Coordinated and provided outpatient referrals and/or facilitated civil commitment on Sect 12; conducted bed searches and collaborated with insurance providers for prior authorization as needed.
- Directed appropriate cases to part-time consulting psychiatrists and provide clinical assistance to the psychiatrists on such consults. Managed the psychiatry schedule and coordinated coverage with the outpatient clinic.
- Provided clinical supervision and case review to all emergency service clinicians, community crisis stabilization team, peer specialists and family partners involved with the Mobile Crisis Intervention program. Including 24-hour on-call coverage.
- Individually supervised emergency service clinicians as well as providing direct 1:1 supervision for Riverside staff advancing towards professional social work licensure.
- Actively collaborated with MRMC and Riverside administration to improve service delivery, communication and documentation between the agency and hospital. This included development and administration of evaluation templates to be utilized by clinicians in both hospital electronic medical record systems.
- Oversaw DPH audits regarding psychiatric documentation. Collaborated response with hospital Quality Management department. Created documentation standards and policies for Riverside clinicians to ensure compliance and quality. Created tracking process and monitored compliance.
- Performed ongoing utilization review of documentation from clinical encounters on inpatient medicine, Emergency Department and Riverside’s community-based location. Tracked and analyzed data on clinical encounters with a direction towards improving clinical outcomes.
- Assisted the Director of Emergency Services in administrative tasks such as staffing, interviewing, disciplinary and corrective actions, and meeting requirements of funders and accreditation services.
- Prepared for and attended monthly Morbidity & Mortality rounds, during which a collaborative team of health care professionals reviewed all behavioral health cases that returned to the hospital within 72-hours of discharge as well as cases that experienced extended hospital boarding other sentinel events warranting further review.
- Co-chaired a committee that identified emergency department high-utilizers. Developed individual care plans aimed at reducing the frequency of ER visits, hospital admissions by connecting to community based services after discharge.
- Collaborated in the development and launch of behavioral health "special initiatives" such as a Delirium Task Force focused on preventing or shortening the course of delirium being experienced by patients throughout the hospital.
- Assisted in the development, implementation, and attended morning behavioral health rounds held daily in the Emergency Department.
- Served as a member of the Behavioral Health PFAC (Patient & Family Advisory Council) which worked to secure grant funding to implement a Behavioral Health Nursing program as well as other initiatives to improve access to mental health treatment in the community for adults and children.
Certified Psychiatric Screener
Care Plus NJ
Paramus, NJ
02.2008 - 08.2010
- Conducted mobile biopsychosocial evaluations to clients experiencing psychiatric emergencies located in the community or in health care facilities.
- Trained in suicide risk assessment aimed at determining next appropriate levels of psychiatric care. Completed involuntary commitments of adults deemed to be a danger to self, others or property and who were not voluntary for inpatient treatment. Arranged crisis stabilization services or alternative treatments when hospitalization could be avoided. Provided brief follow-up services as indicated.
- Constantly collaborated with psychiatrists, medical staff, law enforcement and support systems of clients (i.e., family members) during the crisis evaluation process.
- Answered 24 Hour “Hotline” crisis phone and provide emergency response as needed.
Case Manager, Transitional Services (part Time to Full Time)
Case Manager, Transitional Services
Paramus, NJ
10.2005 - 02.2008
- Provided targeted community case management mobile outreach to consumers with chronic mental illness. Member of a 12 person team that serviced approximately 300 cases with various level of legal/court involvement
- Conducted biopsychosocial intake assessments on clients referred from jail, courts, probation, parole, or other health care providers.
- Created initial and subsequent collaborative client centered service plans with a focus on wellness & recovery, enhancing client’s existing strengths and educating clients on healthier lifestyle choices to complement traditional psychiatric treatment.
- Conducted continuous needs assessment targeted at referring clients to social services, mental health treatment, substance abuse treatment, housing programs, vocational programs etc. per individual service plan. Educated clients and their families on federal and state-based healthcare and social service benefits.
- Escorted clients to and from psychiatric, medical appointments and court hearings
- Networked with local community agencies to develop appropriate referral sources
- Documented encounters in accordance with agency policies.
Education
Masters of Social Work (MSW) -
New York University
New York, NY09.2007
B.A. - Psychology
College of Staten Island of CUNY
Staten Island, NY05.2004
Skills
- Computer: Microsoft Programs (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams), Electronic Health Record (I-Centrix, Medi Tech, Pulse Check)
- Utilization Reviews and Clinical Authorizations
- Effective Communication and Documentation Skills
- Health Policy and Regulations Interpretation
- Critical Information Analysis and Risk Assessment
- Teamwork and Collaboration
Certification
- LICSW, Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, State of MA, received 06/2010, active license
- CPR and First Aid Certified, State of MA, received 08/2010
Professional Licenses And Certifications
- LICSW, Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, MA, 2010-06-01, active
- CPR and First Aid Certified, MA, 2010-08-01
Timeline
Adult Clinical Service Authorization Specialist
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Mental Health, Central MA Area
08.2015 - Current
Assistant Program Director, Psychiatric Emergency Services
Riverside Community Care (Riverside), Milford, MA
10.2010 - 08.2015
Certified Psychiatric Screener
Care Plus NJ
02.2008 - 08.2010
Case Manager, Transitional Services (part Time to Full Time)
Case Manager, Transitional Services
10.2005 - 02.2008
B.A. - Psychology
College of Staten Island of CUNY
Masters of Social Work (MSW) -
New York University