Tracy Sanders
Farmington,NY
Summary
Enthusiastic Social Worker with comprehensive knowledge of crisis intervention and suicide prevention serving Veterans and Active Duty Soldiers. Engages all people through developing trust and building rapport and advocating for their needs. Eagerly trains and mentors staff, and monitors their performances in digital services. Detail-oriented team player with strong organizational and communication skills. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Social Science Specialist (Crisis Responder)
Department Of Veterans Affairs
02.2013 - Current
- Excels in providing crisis intervention services to Veterans, active duty soldiers, and family/friends of service members.
- Demonstrates quality care is provided to all callers at the Veteran and Military Crisis Line (VCL).
- Manages difficult, complex, and at-risk calls with; professionalism, empathy, and high quality care to Veterans.
- Supports all callers utilizing; crisis-risk assessments, de-escalation techniques, active listening and trust/rapport building skills.
- Connects callers with consults to the Suicide Prevention Team (SPC), In Transition referrals, offers appropriate resources, and performs warm transfers to other VA programs.
- Mentors new and seasoned employees’ training on chat, text, backup emails and White House letters.
- Trained new employees on Veterans Crisis Line operations and procedures for 5 years.
- Offers coaching and feedback to new and seasoned crisis responders.
- Completes mental health and lethality assessments on every call and collaborates as a team on life-saving rescues when emergency services are necessary.
- Write thorough and concise referrals to the Suicide Prevention Team (SPC) and collaborates with approved constituents to address callers immediate needs.
- Effectively communicates across a multidimensional team to ensure that all Veterans are offered the support and services they need to maintain their safety.
- Maintains accurate documentation on each call, upholds confidentially and HIPAA standards, and inputs notes into the Medora application in a timely fashion.
- Follows VCL policies and procedures.
- Engages in bi-weekly consultation and monthly supervision to expand personal knowledge and expertise in suicide/mental health crisis prevention and call management.
Clinician, General Prevent Services
Hillside Family Of Agencies
02.2012 - 02.2013
- Provided in-home therapeutic counseling services to high-risk populations.
- De-escalated situations and family risks to prevent Foster Care placement.
- Supported clients in developing goals to help with; mental health issues, substance abuse, domestic violence, homelessness, poverty, and past trauma.
- Offered family, marital, and individual therapy sessions to reduce risk of crisis and concerns of neglect.
- Assessed the immediate needs of the family, developed therapeutic treatment plans, taught effective skills training, and collaborated on a multi-dimensional team with other service providers.
- Skilled in; Active and attentive listening, crisis-risk assessment, accurate documentation, developing thorough treatment plans.
- Trained in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASSIST).
- Utilized various assessment methods; FAF, UCLA, and ASSIST.
Clinician, In-Home Diversion Services
Hillside Family Of Agencies
02.2010 - 02.2012
- Offered counseling, advocacy, and supportive services to children who are at risk for out of home placement due to truancy, runaway behaviors, and curfew violations.
- Collaborated openly with school educators, mental health providers, and probation officers.
- Taught families; parenting skills, effective communication skills, problem-solving techniques, conflict resolution strategies, and de-escalation techniques.
- Utilized the BECK Assessment with youth to assess for self-concept, anxiety, depression, anger, and disruptive behavior.
- Constructed individualized treatment plans (FASPS), which included individual goals for safety and stability.
Social Worker
Society For The Protection And Care Of Children
08.2008 - 02.2010
- Provided individual and group counseling for pregnant or parenting youth.
- Motivated this high-risk populations in developing goals and empowerment towards goal attainment.
- Assisted clients in obtaining; employment, housing, healthcare, childcare, and education.
- Skilled in teaching /training youth in Parents As Teachers (PAT) information, skills, and strategies.
- Assessed client’s immediate needs and navigated community resources to strengthen families.
Education
Master of Science - Social Work
Roberts Wesleyan College
Rochester, NY05.2008
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
St. John Fisher College
Rochester, NY05.2005
Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts And Sciences
Finger Lakes Community College
Canandaigua, NY05.2003
Skills
- Team Collaboration
- Experience in Performance Monitoring
- Providing Supportive Feedback
- Crisis Intervention Techniques
- Solution-Based Interventions
- Patient-Centered Care
- Suicide Prevention Specialist
- Attention to Detail
- Strong Communication and Customer Service
- NYS Licensed LMSW
Timeline
Social Science Specialist (Crisis Responder)
Department Of Veterans Affairs
02.2013 - Current
Clinician, General Prevent Services
Hillside Family Of Agencies
02.2012 - 02.2013
Clinician, In-Home Diversion Services
Hillside Family Of Agencies
02.2010 - 02.2012
Social Worker
Society For The Protection And Care Of Children
08.2008 - 02.2010
Master of Science - Social Work
Roberts Wesleyan College
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
St. John Fisher College
Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts And Sciences
Finger Lakes Community College
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