Pamela Hendrickson

Social Service Specialist II

Genesis Healthcare, Parkersburg, WV, September 2024 to Present.

• As a Social Service Specialist, a significant part of my role involves gathering crucial information from the Resident for the BIMS Assessment (Brief Interview for Mental Status), the PHQ-2 to 9 Assessment (Patient Health Questionnaire), the Social Service Assessment, and the Post-Admission Patient-Family Conference. These assessments are vital in identifying any concerns, which are then reported to the IDT (Interdisciplinary Team) and nursing staff, if necessary.
• When a resident scores high on the PHQ-2–9 or expresses depression and needs someone to talk to, I take proactive steps to set them up with MediTelecare Behavioral Health for an evaluation. I then follow their recommendations to ensure the residents' mental health needs are addressed.
• I collaborate with the IDT regarding the residents' needs, attend the weekly meetings, and follow up on any concerns.
• I meet with the residents and their families upon admission and, as often as needed, work with them to build a care plan that meets their needs and is updated at least every 90 days.
• When a resident is discharged, I conduct the discharge assessment. I set up a follow-up appointment with their primary care physician, arranged any needed home health services, and ensured they had all the durable medical equipment they may need. I provided a Community Resource Packet in the resident's discharge packet.
• I meet weekly, or as needed, with the local home health and hospice agencies to determine whether they can meet a resident's discharge and hospice needs.
• I complete the reportables and follow a checklist to ensure they are completed within the required timeline.
• Investigate and complete the grievances, concerns, and needs of the residents, families, and staff members.
• All other duties assigned.

Child Protective Services Supervisor

WV Department of Health and Human Resources - Harrisville, WV

January 2018 to September 2024

• Under general supervision, performs complex supervisory work in child protective services.
• Plans, assigns, and reviews the work of employees performing child protective services; performs related supervisory functions.
• Supervises the daily work of the staff.
• Maintains liaison with appropriate allied agencies and organizations.
• Studies and recommends policies, procedures, standards, and operational methods for consideration by agency administration.
• Prepares necessary reports and records to reflect the operational status of the program.
• Directs staff development activities within the area of assignment.
• Monitored the team's performance and completed Employee Performance Evaluations three times a year.

• Conducting investigations concerning allegations of abuse or neglect by talking with and visually observing affected individuals, talking with immediate family, relatives, neighbors, teachers, doctors, and relevant others, and reviewing any pertinent records.
• Completing family assessments to determine dynamics and problems that may be precipitating abuse or neglect situations, and developing effective interventions to strengthen families that address the safety, well-being, and permanency of children.
• Preparing safety, service, and treatment plans to remedy contributing problems, stop behavior patterns of abuse, neglect, and exploitation, and solicit family cooperation.
• Filing petitions with the court, as needed, to ensure the safety of children, testifying before the court, and making appropriate placements of children, including but not limited to staying with relatives, in foster homes, residential treatment facilities, or in an emergency shelter.
• Evaluating the progress of families or living environments toward meeting safety, service, and treatment objectives, the need to modify plans, and the eventual disposition of cases.
• 13 years of experience testifying in court.
• Conduct and facilitate multi-disciplinary team meetings.
• Assessed the needs of children, families, and caregivers to determine the appropriate services needed.
• Developed effective relationships with clients through active listening, and problem-solving skills.
• Maintained accurate records of case management activities, including progress notes, reports, and assessments.
• Created detailed case plans that addressed the identified issues of each client served.