Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Nikolina Ruzic

Concord

Summary

Compassionate and experienced Social Worker with a strong background in supporting children and families facing complex challenges. Skilled in crisis intervention, tailored care planning, and interdisciplinary collaboration, with a proven ability to guide families through high-stress situations with empathy and clarity. Adept at building trusting relationships with parents, medical teams, and community partners to ensure comprehensive support for their child. Experienced in behavior management, advocacy, and continuous improvement, with a track record of enhancing both family well-being and overall care outcomes.

Overview

5
5
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Residential Unit Supervisor

Bellefaire JCB
01.2017 - 12.2018
  • Assisted in developing and implementing individualized care plans for residents.
  • Supported daily operations by coordinating activities and communication among staff and residents.
  • Provided individual and group case management and crisis intervention services to a diverse population of children and families diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum as well as a wide range of mental health issues often compounded by developmental disorders.
  • Supervised a total of 20 youth counselors in a rotation of 7 in a shift.
  • Provided education, coping skills and empathized with the children and their families based on their developmental and emotional level.
  • Developed strong relationships with families to facilitate transparent communication regarding resident care and progress.
  • Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams in weekly meetings to discuss and address the needs of the children and effectively advocated for tailored interventions.
  • Served as a liaison between the residential unit and regulatory agencies, maintaining open lines of communication to address concerns proactively.
  • Assisted families and children with de-escalating techniques to decrease anxiety and stress during crisis,family visits, and medical appointments.
  • Evaluated staff performance regularly, providing constructive feedback and growth opportunities as needed.
  • Maintained thorough case history records with detailed written reports.

Residential Counselor

Bellefaire JCB
12.2013 - 12.2016
  • Facilitated daily activities and therapeutic programs for residents, promoting engagement and skill development.
  • Implemented behavior management strategies to support individual needs and enhance community living skills.
  • Assisted in crisis intervention, employing de-escalation techniques to maintain safety and well-being of residents.
  • Monitored residents' progress, documenting observations and providing feedback to case managers for ongoing treatment planning adjustments.
  • Maintained safe and supportive residential environments for at-risk individuals, contributing to their overall wellbeing.
  • Monitored and documented client progress toward meeting goals and objectives.
  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary team to develop comprehensive treatment plans, improving residents progress.
  • Served as a liaison between families or guardians of clients when necessary; providing updates about clients' progress or addressing any concerns they may have.

Education

Master of Social Work - Social Work

Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH
05-2016

Bachelor of Science - Minor in Psychology

Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH
12-2012

Associate of Science - Health Education

Lakeland Commnity College
Kirtland, Ohio
05-2011

Skills

  • Family Advocacy & Support in High-Stress Situations
  • Crisis Intervention & Trauma-Informed Care
  • Care Coordination with Interdisciplinary Teams which includes medical, behavioral health, and education
  • Patient & Family Education on Coping Skills and Resources
  • Strong Professional Communication & Relationship Building
  • Behavior Management & Applied Behavioral Analysis Strategies
  • Case Management & Comprehensive Care Planning
  • Staff Supervision, Training, and Performance Development
  • Adaptability, Reliability, and Collaborative Teamwork
  • Continuous Improvement & Program Development

Certification

• Licensed Social Worker, License # S.2106772

Timeline

Residential Unit Supervisor

Bellefaire JCB
01.2017 - 12.2018

Residential Counselor

Bellefaire JCB
12.2013 - 12.2016

Master of Social Work - Social Work

Cleveland State University

Bachelor of Science - Minor in Psychology

Cleveland State University

Associate of Science - Health Education

Lakeland Commnity College

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