Valerie Blevins
Stuart,VA
Summary
Resourceful Nurse committed to providing excellent care to patients of all ages. Expertise in performing admission assessments and discharges and participating in crisis interventions. Kind and caring professional with many years of experience monitoring treatment of patients diagnosed with disabilities, illnesses and distress.
Caring, empathetic Substance Abuse Counselor with 20+ years of experience in inpatient, outpatient and school settings. Exceptionally talented at building rapport with different patient groups to encourage honesty and growth in recovery from substance use.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Contract/Part Time Psychiatric Nurse
Piedmont Community Services CIT Center
11.2022 - Current
- Provided direct quality care to patients by monitoring, recording and evaluating psychiatric conditions.
- Oversaw care of suicidal patients and acted swiftly to reduce risk of harm to themselves or others.
- Monitored vital signs, nutritional intake and signs and symptoms of complications to report deviations to supervisor.
Prevention Specialist
Piedmont Community Services
02.2001 - Current
- Provided comprehensive case management services, created treatment plans, and connected clients and families to appropriate resources.
- Kept accurate and detailed records to track and document client progress.
- Taught substance abuse classes to help clients understand consequences of drug and alcohol use.
- Supported and assessed clients struggling with life, substance, relationship, mental health issues and devised strategies based on client needs.
- Monitored client progress to make necessary adjustments for client success.
- Public speaking engagements in the community related to Substance use and mental health issues
- Provided counseling and support to clients with drug and alcohol abuse issues.
Substance Use Counselor/Mental Health Case Manager
Piedmont Community Services
02.2001 - 08.2005
- Maintained confidentiality of records relating to clients' treatment.
- Guided clients in developing skills and strategies for dealing with problems.
- Offered guidance and advice to help cultivate self-esteem and community involvement.
- Engaged clients in conversation to determine feelings and apprehensions.
- Developed individualized counseling plans for clients to incorporate short-term and long-term goals.
- Facilitated weekly group sessions to encourage self-reflection and problem-solving.
- Acted as client advocate to coordinate required services or resolve emergency problems in crisis situations.
- Conducted assessments to determine progress and performance and report findings to relevant authorities.
- Developed and expanded referral system of service providers to assist clients in attaining services.
- Arranged and facilitated therapy sessions for individuals.
- Listened to clients' concerns and provided encouragement and support.
- Provided comprehensive case management services, created treatment plans, and connected clients and families to appropriate resources.
- Provided education on mental health topics and resources to clients.
- Collaborated with other professionals to coordinate comprehensive care for clients.
- Facilitated group counseling sessions to support and encourage client growth.
Acute Care & Charge Nurse
Stokes Reynolds Memorial Hospital
08.1999 - 05.2001
- Coordinated nursing care on unit through staff assignments, assisting and rounding with physicians, monitoring patient orders, and communicating with ancillary departments.
- Administered medications and treatment to patients and monitored responses while working with healthcare teams to adjust care plans.
- Conducted daily shift briefs to inform staff of changes in patient care assignments.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Collaborated with other healthcare professionals to provide quality patient care.
- Monitored nursing care, patient assessment processes, and treatment implementations.
- Supervised and managed daily scheduling, tasking, and administration.
- Developed and maintained close relationships with patients and families to facilitate smooth communications, provide encouragement and build trust.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Managed patients recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
- Monitored patient reactions after administering medications and IV therapies.
LPN Detox Nurse
Lancaster General Hospital-Susquehanna Division
02.1998 - 06.1999
- Administered medications and injections to patients.
- Monitored patient health conditions to report changes to assigned physician.
- Delivered emotional support to patients and families during challenging times.
- Worked with multidisciplinary team to carry out successful treatment plans for diverse acute and chronic conditions.
- Provided patient education on health care issues and prescribed medications.
- Reviewed patient history to verify conditions and current medications.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints, and current symptoms.
DUI Instructor/SA Counselor
Human Services Associates
03.1990 - 03.1996
- Taught students who were convicted of DUI in a classroom setting regarding consequences, laws etc.
- Tracked student progress, frequently checking in with struggling students and identifying root causes of problems.
- Improved student performance by defining clear goals and communicating performance metrics.
- Evaluated and revised lesson plans and course content to achieve student-centered learning.
- Applied various teaching aids to minimize learning gaps and instruct and motivate students.
- Optimized learning plans based on student performance and feedback.
- Oversaw curriculum development and implementation in alignment with best practices.
- Created and developed lesson plans to meet students' academic needs.
Substance Abuse Counselor
Colonial House 90 Day Inpatient Treatment
08.1988 - 09.1991
- Facilitated individual, group and family counseling.
- Provided counseling and support to clients with drug and alcohol abuse issues.
- Kept accurate and detailed records to track and document client progress.
- Used knowledge of different treatment modalities to provide clients with individualized options for successful outcomes.
- Monitored client progress to make necessary adjustments for client success.
- Supported and assessed clients struggling with addiction or relationship issues and devised strategies based on client needs.
- Led supportive group discussions and education sessions with alcohol and drug users and families.
- Coordinated care with other professionals to provide clients with comprehensive support.
- Provided comprehensive case management services, created treatment plans, and connected clients and families to appropriate resources.
- Taught substance abuse classes to help clients understand consequences of drug and alcohol use.
- Coordinated referrals for addiction services based on individual client needs and preferences.
- Guided clients in effective therapeutic exercises integrated from Cognitive Behavior Therapy.
Education
Practical Nurse - Practical Nursing
York County Technical School
York, PA12.1996
High School Diploma -
York County Vocational Technical School
York, PA06.1982
Skills
- Nursing Unit Collaboration
- Progress Evaluation
- Patient Observation
- Active Listening
- De-Escalation Techniques
- Therapeutic Intervention
- Suicide Prevention
- Medication Administration
- Patient Relationships
- Mental Health Assessment
- Substance Abuse Knowledge
- Problem-solving
- Professional boundaries
- Stress management
- Cultural competence
- Empathy and compassion
- Crisis intervention
- Intravenous Therapy
Certification
CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) Instructor
MHFA (Mental Health First Aid) Instructor
CPR/First Aid
NAMI (National Alliance Mental Illness) Family Support Group Facilitator
Additional Information
I'm a person in long term recovery of substances and have been involved in 12 Step Recovery Support Groups many years
Timeline
Contract/Part Time Psychiatric Nurse
Piedmont Community Services CIT Center
11.2022 - Current
Prevention Specialist
Piedmont Community Services
02.2001 - Current
Substance Use Counselor/Mental Health Case Manager
Piedmont Community Services
02.2001 - 08.2005
Acute Care & Charge Nurse
Stokes Reynolds Memorial Hospital
08.1999 - 05.2001
LPN Detox Nurse
Lancaster General Hospital-Susquehanna Division
02.1998 - 06.1999
DUI Instructor/SA Counselor
Human Services Associates
03.1990 - 03.1996
Substance Abuse Counselor
Colonial House 90 Day Inpatient Treatment
08.1988 - 09.1991
Practical Nurse - Practical Nursing
York County Technical School
High School Diploma -
York County Vocational Technical School
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