Nakita Thomas
Johnston,RI
Summary
Dedicated behavioral health professional with comprehensive skills in clinical assessment, crisis response, and team leadership. Committed to optimizing care delivery and promoting equitable health practices while mentoring social work teams to ensure high standards of performance and service excellence.
Overview
1
1
Certification
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
BH Care Manager
Elevance Health
, Rhode Island
09.2022 - Current
- Evaluate clinical needs, develop individualized care plans, and collaborate with providers to support stabilization and recovery.
- Conducted behavioral health case management for diverse member populations, facilitating appropriate care levels and timely service coordination.
- Monitored progress, identified barriers, and adjusted interventions to enhance member outcomes and minimize unnecessary service utilization.
- Applied clinical judgment to assess medical necessity and navigate members to evidence-based treatment options.
Social Work Supervisor
Rhode Island Hospital
Providence, RI
03.2021 - 08.2022
- Supervised inpatient medical social work team, providing clinical oversight, case consultation, and performance guidance.
- Delivered full-scope clinical social work services, including psychosocial assessments, crisis intervention, and care coordination.
- Led clinical supervision for social workers and interns, supporting skill development and adherence to best practices.
- Assisted in hiring decisions, performance evaluations, and corrective actions to strengthen team effectiveness.
- Managed supervisory documentation and facilitated departmental quality improvement initiatives.
- Created staff schedules, assignments, and coverage plans to enhance patient support across units.
- Participated in hospital-wide committees, including the Social Justice and Health Equity Committee.
- Supported departmental research, grants, and program development activities.
Clinical Social Worker
Rhode Island Hospital
Providence, RI
02.2020 - 03.2021
- Delivered trauma-informed interventions and crisis management, ensuring safety and support during critical incidents of abuse, neglect, and psychiatric emergencies.
- Provided counseling and emotional support to patients and families coping with illness, end-of-life decisions, and bereavement.
- Completed comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments to inform treatment planning.
- Facilitated Goals of Care discussions and collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop effective behavioral management plans.
- Advocated for patients and families, addressing cultural considerations to enhance care outcomes.
- Assessed substance use concerns and collaborated with Addiction Medicine for appropriate interventions.
- Conducted mandated reporting for self-neglect, abuse, and unsafe living conditions.
Care Advocate / Utilization Review
Optum / UnitedHealth Group
Eden Prairie, MN
05.2018 - 01.2020
- Conducted utilization review for inpatient and outpatient behavioral health services, ensuring medical necessity and quality of care to support optimal patient outcomes.
- Completed concurrent reviews and authorization determinations in alignment with clinical guidelines, facilitating timely access to necessary services.
- Performed case management functions by evaluating treatment plans and coordinating appropriate levels of care to meet client needs effectively.
- Identified care gaps and collaborated with providers to optimize treatment outcomes.
- Interpreted clinical information and resolved moderately complex cases with minimal supervision.
- Conducted field-based assessments to evaluate client needs and services.
Utilization Review Clinician
Beacon Health Options
Woburn, MA
05.2012 - 04.2018
- Determined appropriate levels of care for mental health and substance use treatment based on medical necessity criteria.
- Conducted telephonic pre-admission and continuing-care reviews across all levels of care.
- Collaborated with physicians and provider teams to support discharge planning.
- Negotiated with providers and escalated clinical discrepancies to Physician Advisors to ensure accurate treatment information.
- Guided members and providers to suitable behavioral health resources and benefit options to enhance treatment access.
Emergency Services Clinician
The Providence Center
Providence, RI
07.2009 - 08.2013
- Performed emergency psychiatric and substance use assessments for patients at Roger Williams Medical Center, facilitating timely care decisions.
- Provided crisis intervention, emotional support, and safety planning for individuals and families.
- Determined appropriate dispositions, including inpatient psychiatric admission, detox placement, or community referrals.
- Executed telephonic precertification reviews with insurance providers to secure necessary authorizations for patient care.
- Coordinated care with emergency department staff, ensuring safe transitions and continuity for patients.
Education
Master of Public Administration - Public Administration
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VAMaster of Social Work (MSW) - Social Work
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, COBachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of Northern Colorado
Greeley, COSkills
- Clinical Assessment & Intervention
- Crisis intervention
- Case management
- Utilization review
- Care coordination
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Treatment Planning
- DSM-5
- ASAM
- LOCUS
- InterQual
- Compliance documentation
- Patient advocacy
- Leadership & Clinical Supervision
- Cultural competency
Certification
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW / LICSW) — Rhode Island ISW02522
Timeline
BH Care Manager
Elevance Health
09.2022 - Current
Social Work Supervisor
Rhode Island Hospital
03.2021 - 08.2022
Clinical Social Worker
Rhode Island Hospital
02.2020 - 03.2021
Care Advocate / Utilization Review
Optum / UnitedHealth Group
05.2018 - 01.2020
Utilization Review Clinician
Beacon Health Options
05.2012 - 04.2018
Emergency Services Clinician
The Providence Center
07.2009 - 08.2013
Master of Public Administration - Public Administration
Virginia Commonwealth University
Master of Social Work (MSW) - Social Work
Colorado State University
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of Northern Colorado