Olivia Gray
Los Angeles,CA
Summary
Psychiatric social worker that is professionally skilled at building working relationships with patients, fellow staff, supervisors, and the community. Passionate, hard-working, and adaptable, with strong clinical abilities and experience in both case management and mental health. Proactive and organized with a commitment to patient care. Ability to work independently, with minimal supervision. Very knowledgeable of the Veterans Affairs system of care.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Inpatient Mental Health Social Worker
West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA
07.2023 - Current
- Provides case management services to a caseload of 10-15 patients in an inpatient psychiatry unit.
- Conducts psychosocial assessments of patient's needs and level of functioning and creates interdisciplinary treatment plans accordingly.
- Submits referrals to an array of resources including transitional housing, skilled nursing facility, board and care, and residential treatment programs.
- Develops individualized discharge plans for hospitalized individuals according to their physical and mental health needs.
- Educates patients about mental illness, mental health treatments, and available VA and community resources.
- Facilitates 3 weekly psychoeducational groups on topics such as distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and mindfulness to foster patients' coping skills.
- Participates in interdisciplinary team meetings and treatment rounds of individual cases.
- Consults with psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, and social workers regarding clinical issues.
- Actively advocates for patients during their stay at the hospital or upon discharge from the facility.
- Provides psychoeducation regarding mental illness diagnosis and management strategies to both patients and their families.
- Assists in the coordination of services needed after hospitalization such as outpatient substance use and mental health care, home health care, durable medical equipment, and transportation.
- Helped patients cope with substance abuse, mental illness and other concerns by delivering personalized counseling support.
- Maintains VA-CPRS (Computerized Patient Records System) documentation standards as set forth by HIPAA standards and VA policies.
Geriatric Social Worker
Los Angeles Jewish Health
Reseda, CA
05.2023 - 07.2023
- Provided case management services to a caseload of 10 patients in a geriatric psychiatry unit.
- Completed psychosocial assessments to determine the unique needs of the patient.
- Collaborated with other professionals such as physicians, nurses, and case managers to coordinate comprehensive care for geriatric patients.
- Referred patient or family to appropriate community resources to obtain support for mental or physical illness.
- Implemented social service interventions to achieve treatment goals and address patient needs.
- Developed discharge plans that included follow up care after hospitalization of geriatric patients.
- Counseled patients individually and in group sessions to assist recovery from illness and to adjust to life.
- Monitored and evaluated patient progress compared to measurable treatment and care plan goals.
- Participated in interdisciplinary team meetings regarding patient care plans for geriatric patients.
- Provided emotional support and counseling to elderly patients and their families.
MSW Intern
West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA
09.2022 - 05.2023
- Educated patients about mental illness, mental health treatment, and available VA and community resources
- Conducted psychosocial assessments for Veterans admitted to the inpatient psychiatric unit
- Co-facilitated weekly psychoeducational recovery-oriented groups to engage Veterans and promote wellness
- Provided psychoeducation to Veterans with depression, anxiety, bipolar, schizophrenia, substance use, suicidal ideation, and post-traumatic stress disorder
- Provided individual counseling to 2 Veterans with diagnosable mental health issues
- Utilized assessment tools such as the PHQ-9, GAD-7, and PCL-5 to inform treatment plans
- Developed treatment plans by establishing treatment goals with patients and determining treatment methodologies, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and mindfulness-based interventions
- Utilized the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to compare patients' psychological symptoms and make accurate diagnoses
- Received training in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction as part of the VA Whole Health Initiative.
MSW Intern Case Manager
People Assisting the Homeless
09.2021 - 05.2022
- Provided direct services to persons experiencing homelessness in an interim shelter setting
- Used evidence-based practices such as motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, and housing first to create individualized housing and services plans based on clients' strengths
- Facilitated a weekly psychoeducational group on mindfulness and meditation techniques to improve clients' coping strategies
- Conducted intakes and assessments utilizing a biopsychosocial framework
- Provided housing assistance and linkage to community resources
- Trained in and utilized HMIS (Homeless Management Information System) to record client outcomes.
Behavior Interventionist
Easterseals of Southern California
10.2019 - 07.2020
- Implemented Applied Behavior Analysis therapy programs to 10 clients with Autism Spectrum Disorder ranging in age from 2-18 years
- Documented session notes and recorded clinical data from therapy programs
- Implemented behavior intervention plans that addressed challenging behaviors, such as redirecting challenging behavior and reinforcing positive behavior
- Trained in evidence-based interventions that increase social skills and functioning levels.
Volunteer Domestic Violence Hotline Counselor
Women's Center of Montgomery County
09.2018 - 08.2019
- Trained and certified by the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV)
- Provided crisis counseling to victims of domestic abuse which included risk assessment, safety planning, options counseling, and referrals
- Referred women to community resources
- Collaborated with law enforcement officials for the lethality assessment program by providing counseling to victims
- Assisted victims with restraining orders and information regarding the courts system.
Education
Master of Social Work - Community Mental Health
California State University, Fullerton
Fullerton, CA05.2023
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
San Francisco State University
05.2018
Skills
- Case Management
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Individual and group counseling
- Mental Health
- Crisis Management
- Psychosocial Assessments
- Substance Abuse
- Clinical Documentation
- Discharge planning
- Treatment planning
Training
- Becoming ACES Aware in California - Postgraduate Institute for Medicine (June 2021)
- Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - Medical University of South Carolina (June 2021)
- Best Practices for Serving LGBTQ+ Individuals - Orange County Health Care Agency (October 2021)
- Helping People Change and Grow: Ambivalence, Motivation and Effective Clinical Skills - Orange County Health Care Agency and Be Well OC (April 2022)
- Mental Health and Recovery Model and Self Care for Social Work Professionals Department of Veterans Affairs (November 2022)
Accomplishments
- Best Research Award among the 2023 MSW cohort.
Certification
- Registered as an Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW) with the Board of Behavioral Sciences.
Timeline
Inpatient Mental Health Social Worker
West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Medical Center
07.2023 - Current
Geriatric Social Worker
Los Angeles Jewish Health
05.2023 - 07.2023
MSW Intern
West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Medical Center
09.2022 - 05.2023
MSW Intern Case Manager
People Assisting the Homeless
09.2021 - 05.2022
Behavior Interventionist
Easterseals of Southern California
10.2019 - 07.2020
Volunteer Domestic Violence Hotline Counselor
Women's Center of Montgomery County
09.2018 - 08.2019
Master of Social Work - Community Mental Health
California State University, Fullerton
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
San Francisco State University
- Registered as an Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW) with the Board of Behavioral Sciences.
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