Melinda Ortega
Houston,TX
Summary
An independent self-motivated clinician with over ten years of experience and great interpersonal skills. Proficient in utilizing innovative technologies to provide quality mental healthcare.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Behavioral Health Licensed Clinician
Care Bridge Health
11.2023 - Current
- Participate in the expansion of the Follow-up After Hospitalization for Mental Illness (FUH) program to address unmet needs for mental healthcare.
- Complete psychosocial evaluation with patients, via telehealth, who were recently hospitalized for treatment of selected mental illness or intentional self-harm diagnosis utilizing the Healthcare Effectiveness Data Information Set, HEDIS, tool.
- Applied evidence-based techniques such as behavioral activation, problem-solving treatment and motivational interviewing to support behavioral interventions.
- Establish relationships with external healthcare providers for patient referrals when necessary.
- Helped to develop and streamline outreach systems to encourage recently discharged patients to follow up with aftercare plan, including coordinating care between behavioral health and primary care physicians, identifying and removing barriers that prevent our members from follow-up appointments or following recommendation and discussing the importance of seeking follow-up with a mental health provider
- Educate office staff on local resources to assist with barriers such as transportation and other needs and additionally establish communication pathways with inpatient discharge coordinators at local facilities
Blended Care Therapist
Lyra Health
03.2023 - 11.2023
- Lyra blends the best providers, advanced technology, and a steadfast commitment to quality mental health care for all
- Provide Blended Care Therapy: blending live video sessions with between-session digital psychoeducation and customizable skill building tools
- Provide short-term, evidence-based treatment via live video
- Attend one-on-one and peer group clinical consultation meetings, conduct peer-based quality assurance reviews, and attend robust training.
Cardiothoracic Transplant Clinical Social Worker
Baylor St. Luke's Hospital
04.2018 - 03.2023
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary team to plan, implement and evaluate best treatment approach for transplant patients
- Complete psychosocial evaluation and needs assessments for potential heart or lung transplant candidates
- Facilitate group sessions to address a variety of goals and responsibilities for both patients and caregivers.
- Developed and implemented detailed pre-discharge plans for clients soon to be reintegrated into community.
- Treated patients with mental health issues and socioeconomic barriers.
- Assessed risk factors of patients and made referrals for further services.
Psychiatric Social Worker
Memorial Hermann Hospital Texas Medical Center
02.2014 - 04.2018
- Trained new clinical staff on program processes, symptoms management and intervention strategies for clients with various psychiatric diagnosis.
- Evaluated employee performance and conveyed constructive feedback to improve clinical skills.
- Administer mental health evaluations and risk assessments in both hospital and community settings to assess clients' mental health status and facilitated appropriate and safe disposition
- Coordinated with multidisciplinary teams, including psychiatrist, physicians and care managers, to provide patients with comprehensive care.
- Provide on-going therapeutic intervention to address over utilization of hospital admissions or excessive psychiatric hospitalization for chronic psychiatric patients
- Form collaborations with community groups, welfare agencies, local law enforcement, and outpatient providers to promote wrap around services for mental health patients in the community.
Education
Licensed Clinical Social Work -
Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council
11.2011
Skills
- Adept with computer and various technology
- Critical thinking and problem solving
- Professional communication
- Patient advocate
- Crisis Intervention
- Clinical Supervision
- Psychosocial evaluations
- Multidisciplinary Collaboration
- Recordkeeping and documentation
TherapyModalities
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Humanistic intervention
- Motivational Interviewing
- Solution Focused Therapy
Volunteer Experience
City of Houston Committee Member, Independent Police Oversight Board, 03/2022, Present, Appointed by the Mayor to review internal police investigations of possible misconduct
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Behavioral Health Licensed Clinician
Care Bridge Health
11.2023 - Current
Blended Care Therapist
Lyra Health
03.2023 - 11.2023
Cardiothoracic Transplant Clinical Social Worker
Baylor St. Luke's Hospital
04.2018 - 03.2023
Psychiatric Social Worker
Memorial Hermann Hospital Texas Medical Center
02.2014 - 04.2018
Licensed Clinical Social Work -
Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council