MELISSA RICE
Riverside,CA
Summary
Licensed Clinical Social Worker with experience in healthcare settings, specializing in patient advocacy and resource coordination. Skilled in crisis intervention, case management, and emotional support. Strong focus on team collaboration and achieving outcomes under changing circumstances. Valued for empathy, adaptability, and communication skills.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Medical Social Worker III
Kaiser Permanente Ontario Medical Center
Ontario, CA
10.2025 - Current
- Inpatient Social Worker covering multiple med/surg teams, whole hospital coverage as needed.
- Completed comprehensive psychosocial assessments
- Participated in multidisciplinary team meetings to enhance patient support services.
- Provided crisis intervention and emotional support during challenging situations.
- Mentored new social workers on best practices and case management strategies.
- Connected patients with community resources, ensuring access to essential services such as housing, healthcare, and financial assistance.
- Life Care planning education and assistance.
Therapist
Rula
Riverside, CA
01.2024 - Current
- Developed personalized treatment plans based on client assessments and therapeutic goals.
- Implemented evidence-based practices to improve patient engagement and outcomes.
- Conducted regular evaluations to measure therapy effectiveness and adjust strategies accordingly.
- Built strong rapport with clients, fostering trust and open communication for effective therapy sessions.
- Enhanced client well-being through personalized treatment plans tailored to individual needs and goals.
Medical Social Worker III
Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Riverside
Riverside, CA
06.2021 - 10.2025
- Inpatient Social Worker working with Med/Surg and surgical specialty teams (June 2021-Dec 2021).
- Outpatient Social Worker covering multiple primary care clinics (Dec 2021 to Oct 2025).
- End of Life Option (Medical Aid in Dying) Coordinator- providing patient/family education and support through the ELO process and care coordination activities with the ELO physicians and pharmacy team, and Hospice providers (Dec 2021 to Oct 2025).
- Complete thorough psychosocial assessments for patients and families to assess for potential support and resource needs.
- Provide emotional support, grief counseling and crisis intervention as needed.
- Educate patients and families regarding life care planning and long-term care planning.
- Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team to ensure psychosocial needs are addressed.
- Collaborate with community agencies and organizations as needed.
Medical Social Worker
Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Fontana/Ontario, CA
Fontana/Ontario, CA
05.2017 - 05.2021
- Inpatient Social Worker working primarily ICU and Med/Surg and Maternal Child/L&D units; whole hospital coverage on weekends and as needed in other areas.
- Complete thorough psychosocial assessments for patients and families to assess for potential support and resource needs and to assist with a safe discharge plan.
- Provide emotional support, grief counseling and crisis intervention as needed.
- Educate patients and families regarding life care and long-term care planning.
- Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team to ensure psychosocial needs are addressed.
- Collaborate with community agencies and organizations as needed.
- Facilitated a monthly Bereavement Support Group.
- Assist with supervision and training of social work interns.
- Covered both the back up and primary End of Life Option Coordinator roles.
Transplant Social Worker
Riverside Community Hospital, Transplant Center
Riverside, CA
09.2013 - 05.2017
- Conduct psychosocial assessments for potential kidney recipients and living kidney donors.
- Provide ongoing support and assistance for post-transplant and post-living donation patients while admitted in the hospital, as well as actively participate in the discharge planning process.
- Work closely with a multidisciplinary team in coordinating care and identifying psychosocial concerns for potential transplant recipients and living donors.
- Active member of the Transplant Candidate Selection and the Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement committees.
- Participate in community outreach, education, and marketing activities at local dialysis units, medical offices and community events.
Education
Master of Social Work -
California State University
Long Beach, CA08-2004
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of California Riverside
Riverside, CA06-2002
Skills
- Medical Social Work
- Grief support and counseling
- Healthcare navigation
- Dementia care
- Mental health counseling
- Patient advocacy
- Clinical supervision
- Mentoring
- End of Life Care
- Oncology
- Geriatrics
- Advance Care Planning
Certification
Registered and currently active with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, effective 6/15/2009.
Timeline
Medical Social Worker III
Kaiser Permanente Ontario Medical Center
10.2025 - Current
Therapist
Rula
01.2024 - Current
Medical Social Worker III
Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Riverside
06.2021 - 10.2025
Medical Social Worker
Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Fontana/Ontario, CA
05.2017 - 05.2021
Transplant Social Worker
Riverside Community Hospital, Transplant Center
09.2013 - 05.2017
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of California Riverside
Master of Social Work -
California State University