Sarah Emery, LCSW
Gulfport,MS
Summary
LCSW with over ten years of experience in social work and community outreach. Expertise in case management and mental health, complemented by strong interpersonal and organizational skills. Proficient in administrative management, customer service, program administration, and multi-disciplinary case management.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Regional Operations Manager
Mississippi Behavioral Health Services
Kiln, MS
10.2022 - 03.2025
- Ensured compliance with all applicable laws and regulations regarding operational activities, such as Mississippi Division of Medicaid regulations, MBHS standards, Department of Mental Health regulations, HIPAA, and program policies and procedures.
- Monitored performance metrics of regional operations teams, identified areas for improvement, and developed strategies to maximize productivity.
- Conducted regular meetings with staff members to discuss progress, challenges, and goals.
- Oversaw hiring process for new employees in order to ensure compliance with company standards.
- Provided technical guidance on the implementation of new systems and technologies in the region. For example, transitioning the company's ECR software system and creating training templates to ensure regional staff members were well equipped for the change.
- Resolved customer complaints quickly while maintaining a positive relationship between customers and management.
- Ensured all staff received trainings as required by Department of Mental Health, and MBHS policies.
- Participated in marketing, public relations, and community education as a positive, professional representative of the agency.
Behavioral Health Supervisor
Mississippi Behavioral Health Services
Kiln, MS
09.2021 - 10.2022
- Provided oversight of an outpatient mental health agency. Responsible for the daily operations of planning, organizing, and coordinating patient care.
- Directed the delivery of services for recipients by coordinating the implementation of treatment goals with Mental Health Therapist, Community Support Specialist, Peer Support Specialist and any other team members by developing treatment goals and interventions and leading team meetings.
- Completed intake assessments, including clinical documentation, diagnostic criteria, and assigning appropriate interventions for every client.
- Completed initial authorization and all subsequent concurrent authorization assessment paperwork in a timely manner.
- Completed Medicaid Clinical Reviews to ensure ongoing services when appropriate.
- Provided and documented supervision for each therapist and specialist; creating an opportunity for professional growth and development.
- Facilitated monthly staff meetings.
- Coordinated psychiatric evaluations and monitored medication management for every client as indicated.
- Coordinated with HR pre-hire requirements such as conducting drug screens, background checks and fingerprint cards were completed and on file.
- Conducted annual employee evaluations
- On-call 24/7 for crisis intervention
- Coordinated and implemented the merging of two office locations. Ensured all HIPAA compliant protocols were followed, supervised movers, created a professional office environment to conduct daily operations, while training new employees. installed and secured all computer systems. Coordinated with phone company to secure phone lines and call forwarding options.
Community Based Counseling
Family Priority, LLC
Fairfax, VA
03.2021 - 07.2021
- Provided services in families' homes on anintensive basis and utilizing short-term, solution focused treatment strategies.
- Assessed service recipients from multiple perspectives, including family functioning, psychological-emotional, social, academic, medical, behavioral, substance abuse, skills, strengths, barriers to economic self-sufficiency, treatment history, and others, and utilizing various assessment instruments.
- Prepared written service plan, incorporating input from service recipients and wraparound team members.
- Provided direct clinical services to service recipients, including individual, family, couple, psychoeducational.
- Documented case activities for both clinical and billing purposes
- Prepared written discharge summary and plan.
Expectant and Parenting Teen Grant Social Worker
Mississippi State Department Of Health
Gulfport, MS
09.2016 - 09.2020
- Provided individualized client and family centered case management and counseling services to Medicaid eligible high-Risk pregnant women, postpartum women, infants, and their family members. The Perinatal High-Risk case management reaches a broad population of clients that include women, teenagers, young men, and infants. The program's goal is to decrease the risks associated with premature births, SIDS, and low birth weight.
- Assessed for prenatal depression and anxiety as these conditions increase the risk to develop postpartum depression. When depression was present, mental health resources were provided.
- This position required intensive case management concepts to decrease risk and enhance opportunities for healthy outcomes for the entire family, but especially the infants on caseload. Developing collaborative relationships outside the agency and within the agency was critical in coordinating effective care on behalf of a client.
- Communicated regularly, both verbally and in writing with other disciplines to ensure each client received the best evaluation and intervention to meet their goals. Maintained a caseload of up to 35 clients, maintained timely and accurate documentation, and billed Medicaid monthly to ensure payment to the organization.
- Conducted marketing and outreach to recruit new patient referral sources and established relationships with medical professionals.
- Implemented new services, such as the integration of telehealth services into the case management program.
- Conducted peer supervision and training to ensure coworkers had the tools, skills and information to succeed.
- Provided narrative data to operations director pertaining to incidents of adverse outcome, maternal death, and infant deaths to help inform performance measures and budgetary reporting.
Education
Master of Science - Social Work
Campbellsville University
Campbellsville, KY12.2019
Bachelor of Science - Social Work
University of Southern Mississippi
Long Beach, MS05.2016
Associate of Science - Paralegal Studies
Vincennes University
Vincennes, IN05.1995
Skills
- Outstanding Communication Skills
- Department Oversight
- Quality Assurance
- Performance Improvement
- Staff Hiring
- Supervision and Training
- Troubleshooting
- Conflict resolution
Certification
Current Licenses
Mississippi Board of Examiners for SW/MFT's
Licensed Certified Social Worker
License number: C11570
Issue date: 6/18/25
Expiration date: 4/30/27
Mississippi Board of Examiners for SW/MFT's
Virginia Dept of Heath Professionals
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Regional Operations Manager
Mississippi Behavioral Health Services
10.2022 - 03.2025
Behavioral Health Supervisor
Mississippi Behavioral Health Services
09.2021 - 10.2022
Community Based Counseling
Family Priority, LLC
03.2021 - 07.2021
Expectant and Parenting Teen Grant Social Worker
Mississippi State Department Of Health
09.2016 - 09.2020
Master of Science - Social Work
Campbellsville University
Bachelor of Science - Social Work
University of Southern Mississippi
Associate of Science - Paralegal Studies
Vincennes University
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