MELCHESSADECH LAVIGNE
Summary
Dynamic healthcare leader with extensive experience in Behavioral Health, excelling in clinical leadership and program development. Proficient in budget management, client assessment, fostering team growth and enhancing service delivery. Adept at building relationships with stakeholders to drive successful outcomes in substance abuse treatment programs. Skilled in conflict resolution. Thrives in fast-paced environments by prioritizing tasks and leveraging problem-solving abilities to overcome challenges.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
IOP/OP PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Mayo Behavioral Health
Baton Rouge
12.2024 - Current
- Monitors referral bases, provides leadership and supervision to clinical staff.
- Conducts new hire orientation, handles disciplinary encounters, manages termination of personnel.
- Maintains budget, utilization pre-authorizations and concurrent review requests for substance abuse treatment.
- Spearheads program planning and staff development to promote growth.
- Conducts chart auditing.
- Evaluates performance and determines the need for improvements.
- Established relationships with key stakeholders to build trust in the organization's mission.
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR OF HEALTH ADMIN. & SUCCESS SKILLS
Houston Community College
Houston
01.2022 - Current
- Develops and implements course syllabi and lesson plans.
- Facilitates active learning through class discussions, group activities, and individual projects both in person and virtually.
- Promotes the development of self-directed approaches to independent learning.
- Collaborates with other faculty members in developing curriculum for courses taught at multiple campuses.
INTERIM DIRECTOR OF CLINICAL SERVICES/UM DIRECTOR
Acadia Greenleaf Center
Valdosta
08.2024 - 12.2024
- Senior-level healthcare professional responsible for overseeing the clinical operations of a healthcare organization.
- Oversees case management, managing the delivery of patient care, overseeing clinical staff, and ensured compliance with regulations, employee training, CARF and Joint Commision.
- Responsible for hiring and evaluating clinical staff, maintaining medical records, and preparing departmental budgets.
- Ensured compliance with federal, state, and accreditation requirements related to utilization management.
- Liaised between patients, healthcare providers, and insurance companies to clarify coverage and authorize services.
PROGRAM DIRECTOR OF IOP/PHP SERVICES
Oceans Healthcare
Pasadena
01.2023 - 07.2024
- Participated in weekly and bi-weekly meetings with the rebate vendor and reports on outstanding balances and open issues that require action and/or clarification.
- Managed and planned all activity & outpatient referrals.
- Ensured timely psychosocial assessments.
- Oversees the completion of treatment plans, coordination of caseloads, management of outpatient staff, creating and approving visuals needed for marketing purposes.
- Participation in community outreach and development to ensure growth and expansion of the program.
UTILIZATION REVIEW/CONTRACT THERAPIST
Kingwood Pines Hospital
Humble
07.2022 - 12.2022
- Specializes in pre-authorization in Chemical Dependency and Rehabilitation for ASAM 3.5.
- Submits concurrent review data to providers to extend inpatient authorization when medically necessary.
- Develops individualized treatment plans for clients with addiction issues.
- Facilitates group and individual therapy sessions.
- Focuses on relapse prevention and coping strategies.
CONTRACT YOUTH THERAPIST
Cenikor Foundation/Odyssey House
Houston
01.2022 - 03.2022
- Offers social services to at risk youth by providing mentorship, counseling, legal assistance, and/or assistance with domestic issues.
- Provides guidance, information, and some case management for youth ages 11-21 who might otherwise go unsupported.
- Assist children and teenagers to help overcome personal problems, and a wide variety of issues including substance abuse, trauma, social skills, academic underachievement, and family trauma.
DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL SERVICES
SEARCH Homeless Foundation
Houston
10.2021 - 03.2022
- Oversees the analyzation of data from health surveys, studies, and other sources to identify public health issues and trends within the homeless sector.
- Monitors conducted research to evaluate the effectiveness of public health programs.
- Creates new innovative ways to address public health challenges.
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CASE MANAGER
Centene Corporation
Baton Rouge
04.2018 - 11.2021
- Handled complex cases and developed individualized treatment plans for clients facing mental health challenges.
- Educated clients on effective coping strategies for stress and anxiety management.
- Follow-up care COMMUNITY OUTREACH.
- Conducted in-person assessments in diverse settings.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to enhance patient care and outcomes.
- Fostered and supported an empowering environment for clients while focusing on their social determinants of health.
SUPERVISOR OF CARE COORDINATION
AmeriHealth Caritas
Baton Rouge
11.2015 - 03.2018
- Monitors staff's patient coordination
- Conducted staff meetings and provided individual supervision and training to ensure compliance and process adherence.
- Developed and maintained effective working relationships with staff, providers, and community resources.
CARE WORKER
Magellan Health
Baton Rouge
09.2013 - 01.2015
- Processed utilization review for inpatient and outpatient services such as CPST, PSR, FFT, MST and 1915i Assessments.
- Conducted case management follow-up and provided resource allocation.
EDUCATOR
East Baton Rouge Parish School Board
Baton Rouge
10.2002 - 03.2008
- Creates weekly lesson plans
- Facilitates active learning through class discussions, group activities, and individual projects.
- Fosters growth and development through a caring learning environment.
- Promotes autonomy through self-directed approaches to independent learning.
Education
Doctorate - Health Administation
Virginia University
Lynchburg, VA05-2024
Master of Science - Addiction Counseling
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ01.2022
Bachelors of Science - Sociology
Southern University A & M College
Baton Rouge, LA01.2013
Master of Science - Mental Health Counseling
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA05-2025
Skills
- Clinical Leadership
- Substance Abuse Treatment
- Budget management
- Project Management
- Program Development
- Client Assessment
Certifications And Licensures
- LCDC - Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor
- CCTS - Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist
- Program Management
Timeline
IOP/OP PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Mayo Behavioral Health
12.2024 - Current
INTERIM DIRECTOR OF CLINICAL SERVICES/UM DIRECTOR
Acadia Greenleaf Center
08.2024 - 12.2024
PROGRAM DIRECTOR OF IOP/PHP SERVICES
Oceans Healthcare
01.2023 - 07.2024
UTILIZATION REVIEW/CONTRACT THERAPIST
Kingwood Pines Hospital
07.2022 - 12.2022
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR OF HEALTH ADMIN. & SUCCESS SKILLS
Houston Community College
01.2022 - Current
CONTRACT YOUTH THERAPIST
Cenikor Foundation/Odyssey House
01.2022 - 03.2022
DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL SERVICES
SEARCH Homeless Foundation
10.2021 - 03.2022
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CASE MANAGER
Centene Corporation
04.2018 - 11.2021
SUPERVISOR OF CARE COORDINATION
AmeriHealth Caritas
11.2015 - 03.2018
CARE WORKER
Magellan Health
09.2013 - 01.2015
EDUCATOR
East Baton Rouge Parish School Board
10.2002 - 03.2008
Doctorate - Health Administation
Virginia University
Master of Science - Addiction Counseling
Grand Canyon University
Bachelors of Science - Sociology
Southern University A & M College
Master of Science - Mental Health Counseling
Liberty University
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