Sandtina Melendrez
Albuquerque,NM
Summary
Seeking a challenging position working in my community utilizing my professional skills on a micro, macro, mezzo levels and being of service to others.
Overview
40
40
years of professional experience
Work History
Medical Social Worker
Presbyterian Hospital
Albuquerque, New Mexico
10.2022 - Current
- Managed patient care coordination by assessing patient needs and developing individualized care and discharge plans.
- Collaborated with physicians, nurses, therapists, and social workers to ensure continuity of care and achieve positive patient outcomes.
- Performed utilization reviews to determine the appropriate level of care, reduce unnecessary hospital stays, and support cost-effective treatment.
- Educated patients and families on treatment plans, discharge instructions, medications, and available community resources.
- Maintained accurate electronic medical records (EMR) while ensuring compliance with hospital policies, regulatory standards, and documentation requirements.
- Monitored patient progress and coordinated post-discharge services, helping reduce readmissions and improve overall patient satisfaction.
Case Manager
Presbyterian Hospital
Albuquerque, New Mexico
10.2022 - Current
- Coordinated patient care and discharge planning, ensuring safe, timely transitions from the hospital and enhancing patient outcomes.
- Collaborated with physicians, nurses, social workers, and multidisciplinary teams to develop and implement tailored patient care plans.
- Performed clinical assessments and utilization reviews to determine appropriate care levels, monitor patient progress, and optimize healthcare resource utilization.
- Educated patients and families about treatment plans, discharge instructions, community resources, and follow-up care to promote successful recovery.
- Maintained accurate medical documentation while ensuring compliance with hospital policies, regulatory standards, and quality improvement initiatives
Behavioral Health Therapist/Social Worker
SPIN (Supporting People in Need)
Silver City, NM
01.2021 - 10.2022
- Conducted client interviews to gather comprehensive social history and treatment information, facilitating tailored therapeutic interventions.
- Change method and degree of therapy when indicated by client reactions and needs.
- Discuss progress toward goals and objectives, such as medication regimen, family relationships, educational programs, social development, discharge plans or other behavioral problems, with clients.
- Interview clients to obtain information concerning social history, treatment, and other pertinent information.
- Clinically evaluate patients to detect indications of abnormal physical or mental behavior.
- Review results of psychological evaluations and evaluations from community providers to assess client needs.
- Responsible for carrying a clinical caseload, online via secured HIPAA Compliant.
- Consulted external community providers regarding treatment plans and coordinated care.
- Maintained regular communication with agencies and professionals to report on client progress and coordinate comprehensive therapeutic strategies.
- Referred clients to supportive services to enhance treatment and counseling.
- Knowledge of documentation software utilized by the agency.
Behavioral Health Therapist
Presbyterian Medical Services
Deming, NM
01.2018 - 01.2021
- Plan and administer therapeutic treatment, behavior modification, and stress management therapy to assist clients in developing/displaying appropriate behaviors.
- Planned and administered therapeutic treatments, behavior modification, and stress management therapy to facilitate clients' development of appropriate behaviors.
- Review results of psychological evaluations and evaluations from community providers to assess client needs.
- Reviewed psychological evaluations and assessments from community providers to identify and address client needs.
- Discuss progress toward goals and objectives, such as medication regimen, family relationships, educational programs, social development, discharge plans or other behavioral problems, with clients.
- Interview clients to obtain information concerning social history, treatment, and other pertinent information.
- Responsible for carrying a clinical caseload, online via secured HIPAA Compliant.
- Consulted external community providers regarding treatment plans and coordinated care.
- Maintained regular communication with external agencies and professionals to monitor and report on client progress in treatment through calls, letters, and monthly reports.
- Referred clients to supportive services to enhance treatment and counseling.
- Knowledge of documentation software utilized by the agency.
Behavioral Health Therapist/Social Worker
Kids in Need of Supportive Services
Silver City, NM
01.2013 - 01.2018
- Provided therapy and extensive case management through In-Home Services.
- Provided play therapy for children with their parents.
- Wrote three successful grants for the agency.
- Engaged board members in Strategic Planning for the agency.
- Wrote Policy and Procedures.
- Provided counseling and case management to diverse populations.
- Grant and Policy/Procedures writer.
- Provided staff in service trainings.
Therapist/Director of Domestic Violence Offender Treatment Intervention Program
El Refugio, Inc
Silver City, NM
01.2008 - 01.2012
- Provided therapy and case management to women and children who were victims of Domestic Violence.
- Facilitated Women's Freedom from Domestic Violence Group for women in shelter.
- At the request of the legal system, assessed clients charged with battery against a household member to determine whether they were appropriate for the Domestic Violence Offender Treatment Intervention Program. Clients were assessed for substance and alcohol abuse as well, and recommendations to the courts were made based on the assessment.
- Facilitated effective communication with the legal system as needed.
- Facilitated Domestic Violence Offender Treatment Intervention Psycho-Educational groups for men and women offenders.
School Social Worker
Silver City Public Schools
Silver City, NM
01.2005 - 01.2007
- Worked closely with students to help them increase their academic success, maximize educational opportunities, improve personal relationships, cope with crises, develop self-discipline, learn problem solving skills, resolve conflict without violence, improve attendance, build self-esteem and remain in school/graduate.
- Worked to support parents and families to encourage full participation in their children's education, identify and meet their children's social and emotional needs, access programs available to students with special needs, use school and community resources more effectively.
- Worked closely with educators to develop and implement plans to enhance student's academic progress, understand how factors such as family, culture, socioeconomic status and physical/mental health can affect a student's performance, identify and report child abuse and neglect as needed, obtain community resource assistance to meet the needs of students.
Functional Family Therapist
Children, Youth and Families Department
Silver City, NM
01.2003 - 01.2005
- Provided Functional Family Therapy to adolescents and their families involved in the Juvenile Justice System. Facilitated didactic groups to help teenagers who were struggling with substance and alcohol abuse. Made inpatient and outpatient referrals as needed.
Clinical Social Worker
Children, Youth and Families Department
Silver City, NM
01.2000 - 01.2005
- Collaborated with Family Preservation Services Unit to deliver home-based interventions for children at risk of home removal due to abuse, neglect, exploitation, or substance use.
- Assessed alcohol and drug use and provided didactic training. Made referrals for inpatient and outpatient services.
Clinical Social Worker
Children, Youth and Families Department
Las Cruces, NM
01.1998 - 01.2000
- As a team member of the Family Preservation Services Unit, I provided home-based services to children at risk of removal from their homes due to abuse, neglect or exploitation.
- Assessed alcohol and drug use and provided didactic education. Made referrals for inpatient and outpatient services.
Social Work Supervisor II
Children, Youth and Families Department
Silver City, NM
01.1994 - 01.1998
- Supervised both CPS Investigations Unit and Family Preservation Services Unit in Tri County area.
- Provided supervision to five professional staff.
- Acted as team leader in Departmental meetings, case consultations and community meetings.
- Developed strong ties with community members referencing the Departments mission.
Social Worker for Adult Protective Services
Children, Youth and Families Department
Silver City, NM
01.1993 - 01.1994
- Investigated allegations of abuse, neglect and exploitation of adults 18 and over.
- Implemented treatment plans that responded to clients' cognitive abilities and challenges.
- Assisted individuals and their families in the utilization of community resources.
- Oversaw homemaker/attendant care services to ensure quality support for clients.
- Supervised community service aides to enhance service delivery and support for clients.
- Initiated court proceedings to address legal matters.
Clinical Social Worker
Children, Youth and Families Department
Las Cruces, NM
01.1991 - 01.1993
- As a team member of the Family Preservation unit, I provided home based services to children who were at risk of removal from their home due to abuse, neglect or exploitation.
- Assessed drug and alcohol abuse and provided didactic education and training as needed. Made referrals for inpatient and outpatient services as needed.
Mental Health Unit Coordinator
Life Management Center
El Paso, TX
01.1990 - 01.1991
- Responsible for administrative and clinical operation of outpatient mental health, 18 bed residential center.
- Supervised nine professional staff.
Behavioral Health Clinician
East Valley Camelback Hospital
Tempe, AZ
01.1987 - 01.1989
- Delivered outpatient counseling services to support client mental health and well-being.
- Conferred with staff Psychiatrist to provide trauma informed to client care/treatment.
- Collaborated with staff Psychiatrist to ensure trauma-informed care and effective treatment for clients.
- Supervised student interns as well as case managers.
- Coordinated and managed Day Treatment Program for six months, enhancing client engagement and support.
Education
Master's - Social Work
Western New Mexico University
Silver City, NMMaster's - Educational Psychology (Clinical track)
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NMBachelor of Science - Psychology and Sociology
Western New Mexico University
Silver City, NMTimeline
Medical Social Worker
Presbyterian Hospital
10.2022 - Current
Case Manager
Presbyterian Hospital
10.2022 - Current
Behavioral Health Therapist/Social Worker
SPIN (Supporting People in Need)
01.2021 - 10.2022
Behavioral Health Therapist
Presbyterian Medical Services
01.2018 - 01.2021
Behavioral Health Therapist/Social Worker
Kids in Need of Supportive Services
01.2013 - 01.2018
Therapist/Director of Domestic Violence Offender Treatment Intervention Program
El Refugio, Inc
01.2008 - 01.2012
School Social Worker
Silver City Public Schools
01.2005 - 01.2007
Functional Family Therapist
Children, Youth and Families Department
01.2003 - 01.2005
Clinical Social Worker
Children, Youth and Families Department
01.2000 - 01.2005
Clinical Social Worker
Children, Youth and Families Department
01.1998 - 01.2000
Social Work Supervisor II
Children, Youth and Families Department
01.1994 - 01.1998
Social Worker for Adult Protective Services
Children, Youth and Families Department
01.1993 - 01.1994
Clinical Social Worker
Children, Youth and Families Department
01.1991 - 01.1993
Mental Health Unit Coordinator
Life Management Center
01.1990 - 01.1991
Behavioral Health Clinician
East Valley Camelback Hospital
01.1987 - 01.1989
Master's - Social Work
Western New Mexico University
Master's - Educational Psychology (Clinical track)
New Mexico State University
Bachelor of Science - Psychology and Sociology
Western New Mexico University