Mercedes Clifton
Lafayette,La
Summary
Empathetic and supportive Counseling Professional with an ability to use empathy skills to provide expert care and advocacy to individuals with a mental health diagnosis, their family members, and their community.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Non- Medical Case Manager
Acadiana Cares
12.2022 - Current
- Provide direct services to program individuals utilizing Ryan White Part A funds
- Assist program individuals in removing barriers to care
- Assist program individuals in applying for Medicaid/ Medicare benefits
- Complete assessment on program individuals in accordance with regulatory guidelines
- Assist program individuals in obtaining community support, resources, and services
- Maintain required documentation (daily unit logs, annual reports, progress notes, etc.).
Child Protection Investigation
Department of Children and Family Services
08.2021 - 07.2022
- Obtains identifying information, determines if the report meets intake requirements as established by state law, determines the current status of the child and/or adult to evaluate the extent of danger/risk, determines the priority level of report, and prepares complaint form
- Investigate allegations of abuse and/or neglect of children and/or adults in accordance with agency policy and state law
- Provides those services required for the child's immediate safety
- Documenting all findings and generating case reports
- Reporting instances of neglect, abuse, and abandonment to law enforcement or the relevant child protective service
- Assisting in relocating victims to safe homes or institutions
- Collaborating with social workers, psychologists, lawyers, and law enforcement officers to develop support and intervention strategies
- Performing follow-up investigations of cases and conducting abuse risk and safety assessments
- Updating and maintaining all victim and offender databases
- Testifying in court and presenting all evidence and investigative documents.
Medical Case Manager
Family Service of Greater Baton Rouge
03.2019 - 08.2021
- Provide treatment adherence counseling to ensure readiness for and adherence to complex HIV/AIDS treatments
- Complete initial assessments of services needed
- Develop comprehensive and individualized service plans
- Coordinate services required to implement the service plans
- Provide continuous client monitoring to assess the efficacy of the plan
- Provide periodic reevaluation and adaptation of the service plan, every 6 months, as necessary during the enrollment of the client
- Conduct home and clinic visits to ensure medical compliance
- Maintain required documentation (daily unit logs, annual reports, progress notes, etc.).
Mental Health Tech (PRN)
Apollo Behavioral Health Hospital
08.2019 - 12.2020
- Monitor patients' physical and emotional well-being and report unusual behavior or physical ailments to medical staff
- Observe and influence patients' behavior, communicating and interacting with them
- Encourage patients to develop work skills and to participate in social, recreational, or other therapeutic activities that enhance interpersonal skills or develop social relationships
- Take and record measures of patients' physical condition, using devices such as thermometers or blood pressure gauges
- Aid patients in performing tasks, such as bathing or keeping beds, clothing, or living areas clean
- Restrain violent, potentially violent, or suicidal.
Activity Therapist (PRN)
Apollo Behavioral Health Hospital
08.2019 - 12.2020
- Assess patients' needs using observation, medical records, tests, and discussions with other healthcare professionals, patients' families, and patients
- Develop treatment plans and programs that meet patients' needs and interests
- Plan and implement interventions to support the client in meeting his or her goals
- Engage patients in therapeutic activities, such as exercise, games, and community outings
- Help patients learn social skills needed to become or remain independent
- Teach patients about ways to cope with stress, anxiety, or depression
- Document and analyze a patient's progress
- Evaluate interventions for effectiveness.
Non- Medical Case Manager
Volunteers of America of Greater Baton Rouge
01.2015 - 02.2019
- Provide direct services to program individuals utilizing Ryan White Part A funds
- Assist program individuals in removing barriers to care
- Assist program individuals in applying for Medicaid/ Medicare benefits
- Complete assessment on programs individuals in accordance with regulatory guidelines
- Assist program individuals in obtaining community support, resources, and services
- Maintain required documentation (daily unit logs, annual reports, progress notes, etc.).
Community Service Coordinator
Theophilus Community Programs
05.2014 - 12.2014
- Supervised the Children’s Choice Waiver Program
- Reviewed and correct time sheets
- Assisted individuals with disabilities
- Attended quarterly meetings
- Maintain updated client records with plans, notes, appropriate forms, or related information
- Contact clients in person, by phone, or in writing to ensure they have completed required or recommended actions
- Refer community members to needed health services
- Advise clients or medical appointments.
Administrative Assistant
Auxiliary Services at Southern University
09.2012 - 05.2014
- Use computers for various applications
- Answer telephones and give information to callers, take messages, or transfer calls to appropriate individuals
- Create, maintain, and enter information into databases
- Set up and manage paper filing systems, recording information, updating paperwork, or maintaining documents
- Operate office equipment, such as fax machines, copiers, or phone systems
- Greet visitors or callers and handle their inquiries or direct them to the appropriate persons according to their needs
- Maintain scheduling and event calendars
- Complete forms in accordance with company procedures
- Schedule and confirm appointments for clients, customers, or supervisors.
Mental Health Tech (PRN)
Our Lady of the Lake
03.2012 - 10.2012
- Monitor patients' physical and emotional well-being and report unusual behavior or physical ailments to medical staff
- Observe and influence patients' behavior, communicating and interacting with them
- Encourage patients to develop work skills and to participate in social, recreational, or other therapeutic activities that enhance interpersonal skills or develop social relationships
- Take and record measures of patients' physical condition, using devices such as thermometers or blood pressure gauges
- Aid patients in performing tasks, such as bathing or keeping beds, clothing, or living areas clean
- Restrain violent, potentially violent, or suicidal.
Education
Master’s Degree in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling -
Southern University Agriculture and Mechanical College
Baton Rouge, LA07.2022
Bachelor’s Degree in Science in Rehabilitation Services -
Southern University Agriculture and Mechanical College
Baton Rouge, LA08.2014
Certificate in General Studies -
Baton Rouge Community College
Baton Rouge, LA12.2009
Skills
- Crisis intervention
- Cultural competence
- Communication skills
- Professional development
- Ethical decision-making
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Knowledge of mental health disorders and treatments
- Self-awareness and self-care
Certification
- PLPC -Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor-PLC9876
Awards Honors Organizations
Southern University Student Rehabilitation Association SUSRA
References
Provided upon request
Timeline
Non- Medical Case Manager
Acadiana Cares
12.2022 - Current
Child Protection Investigation
Department of Children and Family Services
08.2021 - 07.2022
Mental Health Tech (PRN)
Apollo Behavioral Health Hospital
08.2019 - 12.2020
Activity Therapist (PRN)
Apollo Behavioral Health Hospital
08.2019 - 12.2020
Medical Case Manager
Family Service of Greater Baton Rouge
03.2019 - 08.2021
Non- Medical Case Manager
Volunteers of America of Greater Baton Rouge
01.2015 - 02.2019
Community Service Coordinator
Theophilus Community Programs
05.2014 - 12.2014
Administrative Assistant
Auxiliary Services at Southern University
09.2012 - 05.2014
Mental Health Tech (PRN)
Our Lady of the Lake
03.2012 - 10.2012
Master’s Degree in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling -
Southern University Agriculture and Mechanical College
Bachelor’s Degree in Science in Rehabilitation Services -
Southern University Agriculture and Mechanical College
Certificate in General Studies -
Baton Rouge Community College
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